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Photographs As the Holiday Season Approaches: Something Personal

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When I was a child, every year brought the endless wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas, when our whole family would come together at Grandma and Grandpa's home to celebrate the Holidays. In between, there was not a whole lot of interaction between us; as we all seemed a more "distant," sort of family. Yet, this one-month long span (give or take,) always served to bless my heart and create cherished memories.
I remember being young, about 5; driving the grandparents, aunt, uncle and mom crazy with the police cruiser and fire truck toys...endlessly running the blaring sirens and lights as I chased down imaginary bad guys and put out non-existent fires. I remember joyfully irking Grandma by hammering away at the old organ; causing blasting and terribly played keys to reverberate through the home. I remember an anti-social cat named White Fox; who always hid from the terrors of us children yet we always found him and badgered him to no end.
I remember one Christmas when I was 8 or so; I asked Grandpa for some of the "grape juice," I saw in the
fridge, not knowing it was wine..... He was unperturbed as he poured me a glass. I downed it fast(it was a really sweet wine,) and asked for more...He was now laughing so hard he was nearly in tears as he refilled my glass
All the sudden Granma and mom come in...mom yanks the half empty glass away, and Grandma starts yelling at Grandpa something fierce!. Grandpa remained unperturbed and laughing unceasingly as Grandma attempted to "brow beat," him into submission. Looking back, I now recognize the look as he laughed, saying, "Definitely worth it!"
Many a family memory and joyous holiday were spent together; yet sadly, DEC 18, 2010...G'ma passed away. It was difficult so close to the holiday, but we managed to all come together, have the funeral and still a family Christmas, (a day early on Xmas Eve to just make things easier on everyone.) That night, G'pa belted out a song; singing for the first time in over ten years...well beyond 90 years old; as he sat in his favorite recliner. He belted out the words to "I Still Believe," in what I felt at the time was his "last hurrah." Sure enough, at 8:30 AM on Christmas morning 2010; G'pa went home to Jesus, and to G'ma.
While these things were tough to endure, there was such a poetic beauty. G'ma and G'pa cherished the holiday season' when our family would come together, and for 50 years housed and hosted many, many a family celebration. They were the epitome of the patriarch and matriarch and displayed it without reserve on these days. It was fitting that they went to be with Jesus at the season of His birth. G'pa looking upward as he sang his final piece, and leaving on Christmas morning; was a priceless and beautiful way to go.
Then last year just before Thanksgiving, Mom passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. This was more crushing and less poetic tragically, leaving me as the last member of my actual bloodline, and further adding to the bittersweet feel of the holiday season. While these cherished and sorely missed folks are gone; I live on to honor them in memory as each holiday approaches.
In honoring their memory, here is a FB post and pics of their resting place; simply to remember them, and to remind us all to cherish our loved ones, break down boundaries, and value the time we have with our beloved.
Allen Penner AWWWW ....I love you soo much for this post Sis!!! I know my life was a brighter place with them, than without. Mom, Grandma, and Grandpa; I will always love and remember you. Mom was the kindest person nobody ever really knew and did well to raise two boys on her own; in spite of my tendency as a youth to make things complicated. She worked very hard for little in return and made every sacrifice necessary to give us a fighting chance. She was almost always loving, sincere, sociable, and quick to smile. Grandpa Gerald was an honest, incredibly hard-working war vet, farmer, career truck driver and an excellent provider for his family. Grandma Beverly was (among other things,) a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother; as well as being both music teacher, and English teacher. A very seasoned and capable traditional organ music....much to her chagrin when we would get "caught," playing it as children! Regardless; G'ma & G'pa were the perennial patriarch and matriarch, and most often it would only be on thanksgiving or Christmas. They were gracious and elegant hosts; my best memories are with all three of them with me at the turn of the Holiday Season. However, their memories will always live on as long as I have breath; something graced me every day, to begin with.

Missed but not forgotten; I will see you when it's my turn to come home. Love...always Love, _(me)_View attachment 10254 View attachment 10255
Let us set aside what would come between us and the differences that drive a wedge of separation; taking the time to treasure what time we have with those we love, for life is a far more fleeting thing than we sometimes realize. Thanks.
 
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