From the archive of my old websites that I recently discovered, this is one of the posts I found from an old blog that I had in 2010. It was the last Christmas we spent with Mother.
December 30, 2010
Christmas 2010 was very special for many reasons (of course, I ALWAYS think Christmas special!).
This year, Russ and I stayed with my sister, Debbie, in Douglasville. They have a beautiful home* and had plenty of room for us to stay, plus I was doing a temporary stint and Piedmont Hospital with Debbie, so their hospitality was especially appreciated.
This year, too, what made Christmas so special is that Russ’ daughter, Wesley did something very special for her dad (everybody calls her Wizzy – a nickname from her babyhood when her slightly older sister couldn’t pronounce Wesley and it came out Wizzy…).
Russ was a little bummed (and of course, that’s an understatement) that he wasn’t going to be with his kids at Christmas, so Wizzy called me and said not to tell her dad that she was driving down to surprise him on Christmas Eve.
Needless to say, on Christmas Eve, with Debbie and Wayne in on it, we ensured that Russ was in the living room when Wizzy drove up. Can you imagine how surprised and pleased he was when he saw her and realized why we were all acting so weird? (It’s Christmas, so he figured something was afoot, but he had no idea!)
They both cried a little, and Russ’ spirits were up the rest of the season, even though he was still a little sad that he wasn’t with the rest of his kids.
The rest of Christmas went off without a hitch. The whole family got together at Mother’s house on Christmas Eve which has been our tradition for the past 40 years. For those who don’t enjoy an old fashioned Christmas without a lot of alcohol, having the kids running amuck (smile) with excitement, and catching up with those we don’t see very often but when we do, it’s just picking up where we left off… then, you would have been bored stiff.
- White Elephant Gift Swap
- A table so laden it threatens to break under the weight with Mother’s 2-weeks of cooking, baking, and the whole assortment of brought-in dishes, cakes, turkey AND ham, dressing that only Mother can make, and homemade pies, cakes, cookes, candies… you name it…
- The traditional breaking of the bed slats in Mother’s guest room from the kids defying orders not to jump on the bed
- Dana and David’s traditional exchange of gag gifts. (I’ll have to get a list of some of the things they’ve done… priceless and so funny!)
- Singing Christmas carols with the whole family and sometimes, cajoling Corina to sing a solo or two (she’s a fantastic singer and entertainer!)
- There isn’t a molecule in that house that isn’t filled with love and laughter and fun… and Mother makes sure every year that that’s exactly the case
It was fabulou-oh-so good!
UPDATE: On May 2, 2011, Mother was driving home, traveling on Campbellton Street in Douglasville, and was fatally injured in a single car accident. So, it turns out that this past Christmas was our last with our amazing, kind, generous, loving and totally BELOVED by all Mother.
“Rest in Peace, Mother! You have won the battle! Enjoy your respite and reward… forever! We’ll see you again someday. We love you and miss you terribly.”
Wizzy sent me a picture that was taken that night, Christmas Eve at Mother’s house, so I have posted it below. Enjoy…
* Note June, 2025: Russ and I were living in Nashville in 2010, so it was really nice of Debbie and a treat for us that Debbie and Wayne invited us to stay with them during the this time.
