Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories Holiday Parties

When I was growing up, my parents did not go to parties. They did go to family gatherings, but that was mostly just hunting for the men, dinner afterwards and later football games. Definitely not party material.

The Hero's family gatherings were much more like a party, special china, sometimes they played games.
Life was good miss those gathering. My mother-in-law is in Assisted Living and the children are scattered all over.

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories Santa

I am so going to have to visit as many blogs as I can on this one.  I had St Nicholas living with me. ; )  The Hero's middle name was Nicholas because he was Catholic and that was his saint.  This Sunday I will share the St Nicholas Hero story with you, but suffice it to say, I believe in Santa Claus.  Here is our daughter wearing Santa's shoes.

Em wearing Santa's shoes. ; )

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories Christmas Cards

I loved Christmas Cards and sent large numbers out until the postage went out of sight. I still send a few to my close family members to keep in touch. Some of them send letters about the past year and some send a card with their name in it to say who they were.




 



I was lucky enough to have saved the Christmas Letter and Card from my dad's sisters the first Christmas that the Hero and I were married. Now that that all of my dad's sisters and brothers are now gone, it is nice to get out their letters occasionally to remember them.  Loved them greatly.

Dora Langley Grote

 

Lynn Langley Sneed

Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving 2010

My Joys

I am thankful for my individual blessings of health and happiness.  I have been truly blessed!  Wonderful children, grandchildren, friends and ancestors.  My two years of loss after the Hero died have been filled with wonderful experiences with all those cited above that have filled my empty void. 
Joy is in my heart and the days shine brightly ahead.





My ancestors include John Howland and William Bradford on my mother and father's lineage.  I also have had the privilege of reading letters by many ancestors in between that professed their thankfulness surrounding their faith.  In this mix I must include my gratitude to a loving Savior Christ who is the source of all my blessings.

My wish to all who stop by, a blessed holiday. 

Pilgrims Painting Print 1800's