Happy Saturday morning....
I have my coffee in hand....the house is quiet, and I am sitting here thinking about how sweet my day was yesterday. I felt like I was giving myself a big gift.. I guess you could say that Friday was my day. No doctor appointments, no schedules, nothing on my to-do list!!
There may have been a few things (that I needed to do).... but I decided these things were not important enough to worry about.
I wrapped packages....with crisp corners, smooth folds, and bows that would make Mrs. Clause raise an eyebrow.
Preparing Christmas gifts is one of my favorite things to do. I usually set up my card table and grab all of my wrapping materials, turn on the Hallmark channel, and wrap away.
Sunday is coming and we will be celebrating our first Christmas gathering for this season. This is with my side of the family....even though most all of us live within a 30 mile radius of each other (with the exception of one niece and her family) we always try to get together a few weeks before Christmas. We have reserved a room at a nearby restaurant, and we will kick things off with lunch, then games, then the ALWAYS "White Elephant Game."
Part of yesterday was spent gathering everything I will need for Sunday, checking my list and checking it twice, making sure I had all the gifts and making sure they were wrapped and tagged.
This is a bittersweet gathering...My youngest brother (the one who passed away last Christmas) loved our gathering...He looked forward to it every year. He will be so deeply missed.
I wrote this little poem in memory of Joe.
This Christmas we will gather close,
Share food, share gifts, share stories true.
But one who shared our joy has gone,
Yet in our hearts his light lives on.
Our Youngest brother, full of life,
Christmas to him was pure delight.
He filled the room with warmth and cheer,
His smile was sunshine pure and clear.
No arm around our shoulders now,
No laughing glance to make our day,
But in our hearts he lives on still
Our memories time can't take away.
We'll see him in the Christmas shimmer,
In every bow and every spark...
Still shining softly in our hearts,
Like stars that brighten the winter dark.
And when we bow our heads to pray,
We'll feel him near...in a gentle way.
Love like his holds fast and kind
It cannot fade, nor be left behind.
Though his chair sits empty now,
And tears may fall this time of year,
We hold his joy and love within
Forever Brother, always near.
Shug...
Such a beautiful poem and touching tribute to your brother, Shug. Yes, it can be so very difficult to go through the holidays when a loved one is no longer here with us. May your family feel God's comforting presence as you all gather together. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteVery sweet poem, Shug! Love it. So sorry he's gone. Love that you keep going and let yourself enjoy the bow time. Your bows are stunning.
ReplyDeleteWhat's that in the far, far top right? Is that a Christmas curtain? If it is, so neat.
I'm enjoying a hazelnut soya latte, cold in a Christmas tumbler. How fun is this time of year. Glad you had a day with no appointments. Love that you guys do a get-together earlier. Makes a lot of sense.
What a lovely poem! Are you going to recite it during your get together?
ReplyDeleteA beautiful poem and post. You have a wonderful family. ❤️
ReplyDeleteI wrap presents the same way - makes it more fun!
ReplyDeleteThat's a sweet poem, I think you need to share it at your gathering.
I am so sorry about your brother. Your poem is such a lovely tribute to him. I forgot yesterday to say how much I love your header, with the tiny Santa and sleigh over the top. Your packages are beautiful, and the Bows! Did you actually make all the bows? I have to say that wrapping is such a chore for me. But you make it a fun part of the Christmas festivities! I love your pretty Christmas quilt set!!
ReplyDeleteI remember when your brother passed. You had just put your FIL in a home. You have had a rough 365 days! It was a beautiful poem. Your packages are beautiful. You need to do a tutorial.
ReplyDeleteOh what a beautiful post and tribute to your brother Joe. I am so sorry to hear of his passing since last Christmas. I can well imagine how much you will all be missing him at this gathering, but I feel certain his spirit will be there with you and sweet memories of him will come bubbling up and flowing out of your heart and eyes. This poem is so wonderful. What a gift you have for writing from the heart! Sending you warm hugs and much love for your empty places tomorrow...but I know your hearts will be filled with love to overflow to everyone just as Joe would want you to do. (((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteYou have such tender memories and traditions. They are wonderful heart therapies .
ReplyDeleteWowzer on your bows. They are amazing. and that bedspread and headboard are awesome.
How bittersweet the holidays have become.
We lost my Father in law 46 years ago on Dec. 18th and my sweet Mom the day after Christmas 30 years ago. That is a whole lot of years passed but the heart tugs are still there.
I'm so glad you could have such a wonderful "ME" day yesterday. It really charges the batteries.
(((hugs)))
Sue