Another Christmas is in the books, and just some quick thoughts
- It takes considerably more hours to shop, buy and wrap than it does to unwrap
- Six munchkins eyes and smiles can light up a room more than two 100 watt bulbs
- Kids say the most amazing things
- Beer makes me tired
- Bloody Mary's taste better with Zing Zang
- Chili doesn't taste that bad without beans
- I can kick Jaxon's butt at air hockey (it's the 30 years experience he says)
- Gus (my cat) likes the tree better without the presents under it
- When you're 56 a cold can kick your ass / When you're 5 you get over the same one in two days
- My I Pad takes better pictures than my digital camera does and I can post them quicker
- I'm a facebook whore when it it comes to posting pics of the grandkids
- Nic was right here in the middle of Christmas, wish he could have stayed longer
- Sarah makes a great White Russian
- HJ is more like her daddy every day
- Aidan, Jaxon, Maddox, Austin, Harley-Jane and Dexter fill me up and I bet they'd fill you too
- Chinnese sky lanterns while illegal in Wichita sure are pretty when they float for over 10 minutes
- Finding a penny on the floor at the Shamrock made the day
- Remote control cars that come with rechargable batteries are the best
- 2013 wasn't the best year, but there were some really great times that were overshadowed by one really bad time
- The candle ceremony for Nic was beautiful on Christmas Eve
- Having Christmas Eve in the house that I grew up in, that Nic lived in brought back a bazillion memories
- Munchkins can make some pretty tasty personal pan pizzas, just remember to use "white" cheese next time
- Just because you're a vegetarian it doesn't mean you like vegetables
- I'm a damn good short order cook when it comes to making breakfast for five munchkins
- I want to build a still and make my own apple pie moonshine
- I'm loving my I Phone and I Pad - sorry I blasted all of you in that past that have them
- There are only a couple more "firsts" that are still on the horizon
- I'd give anything to have another drink with you at Morts
- I have no clue how to play clue anymore
- Tito's is much better out of that special bottle
- Roll Easy is an option
- If I wear a grey watch on my left wrist and a two tone one on my right wrist will I tilt to the right?
- I have no clue how to get a garage furnace started
- I've adopted my grandfathers philosophy on shoveling snow "IT WILL MELT"
- I really like brown shoes
- My black slippers may not be pretty, but they keep my feet warm
- I have some wicked cool socks and panties
- My power animals are Elephants and Wolves
- I should have got a Superman Tattoo rather than a Batman one (I still have room)
- I miss you
- I'm so ready for a new start in 2014
the christmas tree that was his is set up in the house that he lived in, his picture is on the tree and on christmas eve he will be a part of the ripping of the paper, the screams of little kids, the glow in the eyes of his daughter and i know he will be there with us, looking down, maybe touching us on the shoulder letting us know it's ok to miss him, it's ok to have tears, it's ok to talk about him, just remember the memories we have, the memories that we are creating and remember to share him in each one of them, the things he did for others, the times he was there to help and move his memory forward. that's the true sharing of christmas.
i don't profess to understand everything about life, or whether you know before hand if your life will end, but i do know that i'm lucky to have met him at mort's two weeks before he left. we had a great time, we talked, we laughed, i cried a bit and he laughed at me for crying, we left and met the girls for dinner and had one last photo taken by our waitress.
this christmas is going to be different but i have some great memories that help fill the void, i have six little people that fill up the space in my heart, i have some great friends that are there when i need them, and i still have him putting his hand on my shoulder, leaving a rock, tossing down a penny or flying over me saying it's ok dad, we're going to ride again and you can't believe the roads they have up here.
