Tuesday Thought

Just cause I like this song.
Tis the Season.
Nothing more needs to be said.

Week Before Christmas

It's Friday. So glad. A cat hollers--which means some kind of attention needed Cats need to get a job. Their litter doesn't grow on trees--well--hmm.

I could go on about work. How I still wonder how I grew to be one of the older statesmen on my team. Just when did I cross from the Eternity Lake of my 20's to Put on Reading Glasses to Read Ingredients on Food Carton Pool? More angry at myself I'm in this situation. Which I just need to crush the cycle. I do think think I disappointed one of the young ladies today that I didn't want to thrust the peace sign with my fingers and say, "Peace out, yo." I choose not to be the cool mom who hangs out with her daughters' chums. When did the grown up stuff really begin?

Tish tosh. That's a topic for another day.

Hey, it's a week before Christmas. And I want to hear Nat King Cole sing a song that so reminds me of Christmas memories with my Dad. I've not been back to Iowa, for Christmas, since 2001. Two months after his passing. I miss it at times--yet I went home to spend that time with him. Now his spirit spends Christmas in my heart--everyday.

Cue up Nat.

Christmas Eve Part 1

and I smile.

Through life's valleys there is peace. Joy. To understand the Reason for the Season. Yes, I do so miss being with my parents on this Day Before. The hustle bustle of last minute gift wraps.Decisions of what cookies to munch on and which ones to leave out for Santa and his 8 tiny reindeer. In later years to just enjoy being with my Dad, look at the twinkling lights on our tree, and still munch on cookies.

So on this Night Before this Birthday Like No Other, I'm being a bit more selfish than usual, so please indulge me as I post my utmost favorite Christmas songs. Hallelujah for YouTube! And ALWAYS remember how blessed YOU are.
And I smile.

Whitney Houston back when it was all hers:

Luther Vandross who still touches me:

Nat King Cole doing my all time favorite:

Another Holiday Classic

This foggy day and kind of a look that snow might fall reminded me of my Iowa hometown. The Christmas memories spent with my Dad--especially in the twilight of his life. I'd drive all day on Interstate 35, headed North to get to our house. I'd check in during the gas stops, to reassure I (and any cats I brought with me) were just find. Sometimes the weather was just cold-other times it was brutle. Yet, I'd get there--11 hours later.

Dad sat in a chair and looked out the picture window-with his cigar. Held his breath until prettiest girl pull in the drive way. Hed laugh when I brought in my two cats at the time, Sammy and Brenner. His little Chichuahua, Peaches, would bark and my cats would high tail to somewhere in the house.

As I'd settle in after my 750 mile drive. I lie on the couch, while he made us fire. Then he settled in his chair as cigar smoke clipped his nose. We'd fuss over what TV shows to watch--Dad's blasted westerns or him saying, "What in the hell is this?" when I had on something he'd never watch and would never again, after I'd leave.

However, after all that, I'd wake up in the middle of the night. Still on the couch, but now with a blanket Dad threw over me. I'd look over to him and see he would be watching me. With that cigar in his mouth. Dad would say, "You musta slept good. You snored so damn loud." I'd laugh and snuggle more under the blanket.

I do miss that. I still have one of Dad's blankets. So it's nice to know he still throws it over me. Cue Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra--two of Dad's favorites, to bring it all the way home with a song that keeps my memories as if they were yesterday.

I am blessed.