'Tis the season..

Oh, how I wish we all could be "jolly". I'm pretty sure there are some folks out there having a joyful time in spite of the current conditions of the world. Sadly, too many are suffering from the dreadful COVID and the new variant. Not only have some contracted it even though they are vaccinated but the fear of not being safe enough in spite of the vaccines is ruining many plans for a celebratory Christmas. It's hard to eat turkey or pumpkin pie with aging parents or grandparents, perhaps with health issues, seated across from you. Impossible to eat with a mask on! My own grown children do not like to be indoors with me without a mask on or a door open. They and my grandchildren have all been very conscientious about caring for themselves and my well-being. I haven't attended any of their gatherings during the pandemic.

Unfortunately, all their caution was to no avail. In the past couple of weeks there have been two cases of several of them being exposed to COVID. My young step-great-grandson, 12 years old, even though vaccinated, was diagnosed with COVID after going to an indoor movie with my daughter and other family members. So far, none have tested positive. However, two nights ago my daughter Carajean gave a birthday dinner at her home for my granddaughter Ashlyn. There was one guest of my grandson's attending who woke up yesterday morning with symptoms and tested positive for COVID. I'm guessing another round of tests will be conducted but too late to continue with Christmas Day plans. Sadly, calls were made to out-of-town family members who would be compromised should they come. They begged off. And of course, I must stay home as well.

I cannot believe there are still millions in the United States refusing to be vaccinated. It's hard to be a forgiving soul when their ignorance may be the cause of so many deaths, when they may be carrying the virus and giving it to others - even those who are vaccinated. It's even harder to believe the number of politicians who refuse to condemn the conspiracies being circulated to those millions. Then I recall the anti-vaxxers who refuse to vaccinate their children for communicable diseases. Many believe they cause autism. I wonder how many of those little children, even babies, came down with the dreadful diseases of childhood. Diseases that had almost been eradicated. They too are victims of conspiracy theories.

Along came Trump. How much better off we would be if only he hadn't lied so much about the virus and treatments thereof. Among the millions refusing the vaccine today there are probably scores of Trump followers. I noticed in the news lately that Trump let it be known that he now has got the booster. Maybe he feared he would lose too many of his team if they died from the virus! His "boosters" booed loudly at the rally when he confessed this.

Hooray that we now have a trustworthy President who keeps this country and the good of the American people foremost in his official duties - not the GOP politicians and the lobbyists. Good things to come in 2022.

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Not to be a Grinch on this Christmas Day, there have been good things in our family to share this season, as I'm sure there must have been in yours. Granddaughter Kelly had her sixteenth birthday in November and finally talked her dad Matthew into taking her to get her learner's permit to drive. They did that this month and dad sent these photos. Kelly rode that little car like a pro and I jokingly nicknamed her the future Danicka Patrick. I hope she doesn't try that on these Austin streets and freeways!

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I am finally going to be a great-grandmother! Surprises kept on coming. Oldest granddaughter Audrey and her husband Erick are going to be parents come next April! They recently held a gender reveal party and that let everyone know they will be having a baby boy! This little one will be welcomed by a big brother, Ishan, who is Erick's son. He is already a part of our family, and most of the time I speak of him as mine, too.  Congratulations to the proud parents!

I had hoped to get this out earlier, but so many technical changes are taking place I have taken too long to write this. All of you people who are sending photos taken with your iPhones take note: many do not open or download in a manner to be used unless you are on Apple or Mac. I had a couple I could not use because the instructions to change them to .jpg were too complicated for this aging brain. I did however get the following one from my daughter Carajean. This was taken today. It is 80 degrees here in Austin at 3 pm. Christmas ain't what it used to be!

Wherever you are and however you are celebrating, I hope you are enjoying this holiday season. Due to some minor health issues I will not be joining in the fun. However, I woke during the night and turned on the TV in my bedroom. I was amazed and happy to watch Pope Francis and his Christmas Mass. It's been a good day.

Peace and love,  Marilyn                            

P.S.

And a Happy New Year!

Big Boss

I sat at my desk across from the empty room, working on paperwork as other employees were at their desks behind me. Today I had to bring my toddler to work. He was happily playing in the empty room where I could keep my eye on him.

Engrossed in my work, I took my eyes off the room briefly. Suddenly, to my surprise, the closed door in the room began to open and my toddler was going through it into the next room. Before I could get out of my chair another door opened off that room and a bright light shone out of it. “Oh, no!” I whispered under my breath, as my precious babe started to enter that room as well. “That’s the ‘Big Boss’s’ room!” I gasped. Then I thought to myself, “It'll be okay. He will charm the 'Big Boss' like he does everyone else who meets him.”

Then I woke up. 

Three days later my friend April and I were waiting to watch the online memorial for my son Craig, who died the year before. I told her about the “strange” dream I had. “Marilyn!” she said. “Don’t you know who the ‘Big Boss’ is?” She was excited as we discussed the obvious meaning of my dream. God was reassuring me that my beloved son was being welcomed into His “office”. My eyes tear up now as I tell this story. I’m a believer you know.

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Life goes on. It's been a year since the worst experience of my life happened. Grief does terrible things to one's life if you allow it. Personally, it has taken it's toll on my body with various illnesses and complaints. Nothing serious enough to send me in search of the Big Boss's office, but enough to send me spiraling into the depths of self-pity. The more I hung onto my sorrow, the more my body has held onto enough illness to keep me feeling pretty miserable and wanting to isolate myself from well-meaning family and friends. Slowly but surely I am overcoming the worst feelings of despair. I'm beginning to see joyful happenings around me and desiring to participate in some of them.

I am blessed with a wonderful family. All are well and happily progressing in their lives. Grandchildren are working or in college and the youngest grandchild Kelly is still in high school. This weekend there will be a jubilant celebration when the oldest granddaughter Audrey and her husband Erick host a "gender reveal" party at their home. I will finally have my first great-grandchild! Great reason to hang in here, get healthy, and be around for the arrival of the baby next spring! Ahhh.. the Circle of Life.

There are many more tales to tell about our family's history. As I'm the oldest one left, I guess it falls on me to tell them.  Stay tuned.

Peace and good memories,

Marilyn