Christmas Day!

Tom Earp · #1 12-25-2002, 04:12 PM

While mine was sucking, cause I could get to spend Christmas with My Dad, I was happy to get phone calls from Bookem Dano one of my best friends!

Then I got a call from My Dad!

Next, while I was trying to call him, Brother Jono BN # 41 in NY Called!

So this little Christmas turned out a little better for me.

God Bless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PurdueGirlie · #2 12-25-2002, 08:20 PM

This has been a kind of rough Christmas for me... but I am glad yours is looking up, Tom. Merry Christmas!

honeychile · #3 12-25-2002, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PurdueGirlie
This has been a kind of rough Christmas for me... but I am glad yours is looking up, Tom. Merry Christmas!

I'm sorry to hear that, PurdueGirlie. It's been a tough Christmas here, too. My dad died suddenly a few months ago, and we're all still reeling from the shock of it. I'm spending a few nights with my mom, though, to get her through Christmas without my dad.

Other than that, it has been a nice day. I brought some doggie antlers and each of my brother & sister-in-law's dogs and my mom's had their pictures taken as a "reindog". Cheap thrills!

Glad to hear you're doing well, Tom!

honeychile

AXO Alum · #4 12-25-2002, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by honeychile

I'm sorry to hear that, PurdueGirlie. It's been a tough Christmas here, too. My dad died suddenly a few months ago, and we're all still reeling from the shock of it. I'm spending a few nights with my mom, though, to get her through Christmas without my dad.

Other than that, it has been a nice day. I brought some doggie antlers and each of my brother & sister-in-law's dogs and my mom's had their pictures taken as a "reindog". Cheap thrills!

Glad to hear you're doing well, Tom!

honeychile

Honeychile -

So sorry to hear about your dad -- I hope that you and your family will rely on each other's strength to get through the holiday season - it must be very hard! You are a great person to care for your mom like that

Take care and God Bless you all!

#5 12-25-2002, 11:24 PM

I realy didn't wanna go home for Christmass but now I don't wanna go back. My mom might have breast cancer, w just got the note from the doctor they wanna do more tests.

The rents got divorced last year, but my dad came up to see my mom this Christmas, and even though all they do is argue, it's still really niec that he came. I hardly get to see him anymore.

I went to Midnight mass with the whole family and some o' my friends, so it's all good.

Merry Christmas everyoene

dekeguy · #6 12-26-2002, 12:35 AM

Christmas Greetings to all!
My Christmas has been a bit different. Arranged a leave of absense from law school (the Dean was cool and promised to keep my place for me), gave up the lease on my apartment, dug out my uniforms and gear from storage and then drove home to be with the family for the holidays. Midnight Mass followed by a seafood buffet at the house. We always put up the tree on Christmas eve and keep it up until Kings Night (the twelvth day of Christmas). Lots of the family here this year so it has been very nice to see everyone. We slept late, had coffee and corn bread, and then exchanged gifts before a super duck dinner. I think the one gift that meant the most to me this year was when my Dad gave me his silver Captains Bars from when he held that rank in the Army.
After dinner my Dad, my uncles and my cousins toasted me with a magnum of Fonseca 1945, the year my dad was born, but still in great condition! Then we joined my Mother, my aunts, and my sister who toasted me with Veuve Cliquot. I could easily get spoiled by this!
I'll be around until the 5th of Jan when I have to report back, but
I'll try to keep up to date with the GC gang. However, I expect that I'll be somewhat busy for the next year or two so I suppose my postings will have to be occasional. In the mean time, I hope everyone has had a great Christmas and will have a happy New Year.
Benedictus benedicat!

DeltAlum · #7 12-26-2002, 01:14 AM

The year certainly had its ups and downs, but Christmas Eve and Day were memorable.

The In-Laws have been visiting from Ohio and last night we went to an early service where our oldest daughter (who performs in musical theatre here in town) did a breathtaking solo of "Oh Holy Night" at a huge local church. Next was a small party at friends where the husband is Jewish and wife is Christian, and then a candlelight service at our church where wife sang in the choir.

This morning, middle daughter, husband and our 15 month old grand daughter came over -- very nice. This evening, oldest daughter, husband and step daughter came by for dinner and presant exchange.

Son is home from college and having a relaxing visit with us and high school friends.

But, the most memorable thing was at noon. The mother of one of our son's young woman friends from high school (They were the two "Outstanding" students in their graduating class and school district, and performed in theatre and choirs together for four years), anyway, the mother has very serious cancer. At noon, about 50 performing artists (students and parents) from the high school and local professional and community theatre went to their house to carol. It was organized the the chairman of the high school Performing Arts Department and was a huge surprize for them, and very moving experience for everyone. The mom, who was a tireless and enthusiastic volunteer in Performing Arts at all levels, and now has twin daughters in the program, just had a total transfussion and chemo during the past two days. Families in the Department, including us, have been providing dinners for the family every night since the treatment started.

The reaction of this family this afternoon made the entire holiday season worthwhile somehow.

Merry Christmas.

Kevin · #8 12-26-2002, 01:20 AM

Spent the entire day focusing on doing as little as possible. Was good up to about 7:30PM when we had to take my father to the hospital. He had a double hernea (however you spell it) surgery on the 23rd and had a nasty cough. They diagnosed pneumonia as a post-op complication so it was a good thing we took him in.

Sistermadly · #9 12-26-2002, 01:26 AM

I've been back home (way down South) since last week, spending time with friends and family. It's been a fantastic Christmas, and I hope everyone else's was just as merry!

PsychTau · #10 12-26-2002, 12:52 PM

My Christmas Day went great. . .Got to see pretty much all the family that lives near here, going to see my other set of grandparents this weekend. Not really looking forward to going back to work today. . .sometimes wish I was back in college (or working there!). I'm so used to the semester schedule, winter break, spring break, etc. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves also.

dekeguy,
Where are you reporting to on Jan 5th? I have a good friend (and AST sweetheart for our chapter) reporting to Georgia on Jan 5th to get further orders. He's in the National Guard, flies Blackhawks. You guys may cross paths. Good Luck and God Bless to everyone being activated. . .I'm praying for you all.

GeekyPenguin · #11 12-26-2002, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hendrixski
I realy didn't wanna go home for Christmass but now I don't wanna go back. My mom might have breast cancer, w just got the note from the doctor they wanna do more tests.

I'm wishing the best for your mom - but if it is the worst, breast cancer is beatable if detected early. My mom was diagnosed when I was very young and she's been in remission for almost 15 years now.

adduncan · #12 12-26-2002, 01:29 PM

Our Christmas here in TX had a couple of wrenches thrown in as well. But each one gives us a reason to count blessings.

A couple of months ago, my father-in-law was diagnosed w/ colon cancer. Pat and I were running back and forth to Indiana to sit in on doctor consults, check out the medical facilities, and help out around the house, before and after his surgery. He's going to be fine (those corn-fed crotchety old farmers are hard to keep down!) but people came pretty unglued for a while.

5 days before Christmas my Mom calls to tell me that she's having a cataract removed. ("Uh, Mom? When were you going to tell me you were having ANY trouble w/ your eyes???") She was cleared to travel the day after the 8-minute surgery (they arrived on Christmas Eve) and she and Dad are taking a vacation at our house. She needs to have the other eye done and due to that evil empire known as insurance, Dad may not be able to afford it. Fortunately, Pat and I can pick this one up. She'll be able to see better than she has since high school!

Finally, Dec 22, a major squall line came through SE Texas that is the worst I've seen since moving here in 1990. Except for having our power out for 4 hours, we escaped w/out major problems. Some people around the city had trees through their houses.

This all sucked, but I'll tell you--sometimes you need something major like this to get your attention about the blessings you really *do* have in life.

Hope everyone has a happy (happier?) 2003!

Adrienne

honeychile · #13 12-26-2002, 03:34 PM

Originally posted by adduncan
She needs to have the other eye done and due to that evil empire known as insurance, Dad may not be able to afford it. Fortunately, Pat and I can pick this one up. She'll be able to see better than she has since high school!
?? Most insurance companies will pick up both eyes, but there has to be 3-6 months in between surguries. See if it's really necessary to get the second eye done ASAP. (btw, I'm a geriatric counselor)

Hope everyone has a happy (happier?) 2003!

Adrienne

I'll second that, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

honeychile

sigtau305 · #14 12-26-2002, 03:54 PM

my Christmas was very quiet. I was happy I was able to spend time with my mother and enjoying the day.

MaryDZ · #15 12-26-2002, 03:59 PM

Christmas was fun! My favorite holiday in fact.

God did bess us with a white Christmas, which left me stuck in Ohio. So I missed the opening of Christmas presents and dinner with my family in Lexington. Snow is great at Christmas time, but sometimes it really sucks.