The One I Miss

Christmas Eve is drawing ever so close. As my brother, William, and I would call today--Christmas Eve Eve. It made it felt like the big day was just around the corner. As an adult, it usually means last minute shopping, wrapping, cleaning, etc. But as a child we would carefully remove a candy cane from our countdown to Christmas Day and the excitement would build. To the point I am sure we were wild.

Christmas Eve was always such a special day. My father's mother would join us in the festivities. Nana was how she was know to us. Nana lived in Montgomery and was only a 10-minute drive away but she would stay with us overnight to share in the excitement of a VERY early Christmas morning. Nana was an elegant, soft spoken woman who you would never want to disappoint. She would come check us out of school if our "toe" hurt as she knew we just needed a little Nana TLC, some fast food and some afternoon time together. It was a sure fire remedy.

Every Christmas Eve Nana would join us at our church Christmas Eve candlelight service. We would pick her up on the way and we got to see her Nativity scene setup in the foyer one last time for the season. Off we were to church, and then to 5769 Carriage Barn Lane. A 1800-sq-ft house that felt so large with play space, warmth and love. Nana "got" to sleep in my bed with me each Christmas Eve night. We would play music on my radio, she would tell stories of growing up as a child and we would just "talk." As Christmas morning approached and the clock struck a ridiculous hour (5am), she would talk my mother into letting us descend upon the living room to see the madness. We would wait patiently in the hallway for mom to get the camera ready before we could come see the abundance. She delighted in seeing our gifts and often would proclaim, "what will they think of next!"

Nana passed away my junior year in college. Her health had been failing for years but despite the mental preparation we all had, it was a tough loss. Christmas Eve was "our time" year after year. A time I had counted on. As I sing "Away in a Manger" and get to the verse of "Be Near Me Lord Jesus I ask Thee to Stay, Close by men forever and Love Thee I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with the there" I can't seem to make it through without tears. The sanctuary is beautifully dark with only the glow of candles in every hand. I have to believe she is still with me not only on Christmas Eve, but daily. She would always point out red birds in her back yard and I have noticed when having rough times, I see red birds and I know she is with me comforting me like she always did.

She is missed so very much this time of year. It is always a beautiful time with special people but will never be the same.

Just Buy the Woman Diamonds

So my brother and dad have solicited help in buying Christmas gifts for their wives--my sister-in-law and mother respectively. I can understand my brother needing a tad of help as he and Angie have two kids, both teach, on a busy schedule and he isn't exactly what you would call a mall or shopping enthusiast. So I'll cut him some slack. 

But, my dad, is about to get wailed upon. For those of you who do not know him, he possesses a PhD in Chemistry and is the Dean of Arts and Sciences at a major university in the area. No dummy in essence. However, when it comes to shopping for my mom, he is in the remedial class. I get so frustrated as each December 15th-ish, I see his cell number pop up on called ID and without a doubt, I know what the call is about. "Miss (my childhood name), um, do you have any ideas for gifts for your mom?" says dad sheepishly. Probably because he knows the answer is about to be, "dad, you live with the woman." My answers have started sounding hauntingly familiar. "Well dad, she mentioned a car, diamond earrings and upgrading her engagement ring." Of which I hear a loud sigh and he says, "did she mention anything else?" No dad, not really. Although every year she tells me to get her trouser socks, a new bath robe and slippers. Really mom? Not so much. 

My dad also thinks they are about to go broke ANY DAY so the poor woman will end up with something that is nice, but not quite what she was hoping for. When mom and I went out today, I tried to talk her into just driving straight to the car lot, trading in the 1999 Avalon and just coming home with a new ride. I think she's considering it. Since she knows dad will want to research a new car purchase on Consumer Reports for the next 10 years the cars he researched are no longer made. 

Poor woman. She's only risen to the top of her career this year not to mention her daily responsibilities. Can we say dad and I need to have a little father/daughter talk? 

I found my religion at Wal-Mart

For those of you who know me well know that one of my least favorite places on this planet is Wal-Mart. If you live outside of Montgomery perhaps you have nicer, cleaner ones but that is not the case here--in my opinion. However, I had the opportunity to find my religion at Wal-Mart this afternoon. 

I was blessed in a very nice way this week and had begun thinking of how I could pass it onto others. I said a quick prayer to ask for guidance on this challenge. I could have written a check to an agency or dropped some items off at a central location but I had an urge to personally know who I could help. The next morning as I was sitting at my computer, I received an e-mail from a long-time friend who is now a teacher in a public school. She sent the e-mail to me to pass along to our Sunday School class since I am the point person. However, as I began to read the plea for help, I knew I had my answer of who I needed to help this Christmas season. 

One of my friend's students and her family was the victim of a house fire the same day I was blessed and her e-mail was requesting donations of any kind to help this family. The family was left with very little if anything. I had my direction--and chills. 

This evening I had the privilege to take the mother, Sabrina, to Wal-Mart to shop for new clothes and toys for the children. She agreed the children needed the clothing now but that I would bring the toys on Christmas Eve evening so they could wake up to the surprises. Her son had asked her today if he was still going to be able to get a remote control car and she had told him he might have to put that wish off until they were back on their feet. Thanks to God's guidance, he'll be a happy little boy a week from tomorrow. 

As we shopped, I learned that Sabrina used to work for a friend of mine in a nursing home so I felt like I had a connection to her. She is now at another nursing home in town. 

I write this note hesitantly.....not to take credit for helping someone out in need. As most of you reading this have certainly done this many times over. But I write this to ask you to look around and see where you may be guided this Christmas season. Sometimes God will direct you in a way you had never thought or planned. It's personally rewarding but more rewarding for the recipient. 

As Sabrina and I were in the check-out line, I told her how I came to be able to help her. She told me that the day their house burned, her youngest child (who is in my friend's class) was asked to turn in their homework folder and she told my friend she couldn't because it was in the fire. Sabrina told me she knew God would provide for them but didn't know quite how. I think we were equally blessed to get to know each other. My parting words to her were then when she was back on her feet to look for someone to help and pass on the love. She agreed. 

The Photo Shoot

For those of you who follow Facebook, you heard me allude to the "photo shoot" that occurred at the LWT Holiday Party on Friday evening. I was thinking I would miss out on the obligatory group shot as we had to make a stop at the SPLC party first. When we arrived, it was not too late but I noticed the shots were being taken by department. I then heard the photographer (who is great) was going to "stitch" them together into one long image. I was highly anticipating the outcome of the shot. AND, of course in typical LWT fashion, we took over and got crazy in front of the camera thanks to some adult beverages. The sad thing is that the out takes shown below are just a few.....There is NO telling how some of the others turned out. My disclaimer is that I was "overdressed" because the other party was dressier. So without further delay, I present to you the 2008 LWT Holiday Party images. 

http://lwtcommunications.shutterfly.com

A weekend summary

Here's a summary........readyyyyyyyyyyyy. Go. 

A Sunday School party hosted by a cute hostess in a lovely and stylish home. Party food catered Mexican style...my kind of party. Being on the AU coach watch. The Friday alarm sounding startling after a fun evening. Having to pull myself up by the bootstraps to do it again--twice--Friday night. A red party dress and mix CD in hand to get the LWT party started. Hey DJ, play my theme song "You can have whatever you like." $50 Ann Taylor Loft gift card in the house. Vanity Fair-esque photo shoots that got outta control but should be awesome. Someone get Glenda a knife. Sharing the dance floor with all ages. Getting a seal of approval. Delivering holiday cheer. Assembling a very large floor-to-ceiling tree and thus ticking off a dog. Monitoring food levels at mom's party but sharing some good laugh with some favs. Replenishing forks a plenty. A bruised bottom of my foot after many days and nights in heels. Cute shoes are worth the pain. A beautiful baby being christened and loving every minute of it. Poppy seed chicken at the luncheon and having seconds. Uploading Facebook photos like a fool. Decorating a tree while uploading FB pics in less than an hour. Handel's Messiah. For Unto Us A Child is Born. Wishing I played the violin. On the countdown to Friday for 2 weeks off! Tebow didn't get Heisman? A weekend with no afternoon nap. I need some sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. 

Blue Genes

After the sun did rise on Sunday (I was doubtful), it officially started the annual mother/daughter shopping weekend. We sent the boys on their way (dad and William), laced up our most comfortable shoes and down the elevator we were. Mom and I have done this for about 7-8 years now. We stay in the same hotel, eat at the same places, frequent the same stores, even have the same shuttle driver, etc. This year we had to get a little more serious since we had spent a day football'n it. Not complaining. If I had my way I'd football it 365. 

If there is a Talbots within ten miles, my mother will sniff it out. For those of you who do not know, she served as a "hostess" at the EastChase Talbots open house last Thursday evening. It's a scary concept. Basically they identified three of their best customers and in turn wanted their friend list to invite to this open house (aka sell more Talbots gear). The open house was fun. Anyway, mom sniffed out Talbots and we purchased not one, not two but three pair of rain boots for the Richardson ladies. Too bad I didn't have them today. Yes, mine are houndstooth. Now, mom knows when something should be marked down so she had to let the Phipps Talbots ladies know she was a hostess and she was officially "in." A new respect emerged. 

We also ventured to Nordstroms where I plopped in the oversized chair with the bags and listened to some lovely live piano. We also concluded the day in visiting.........you got it.....another Talbots. "They carry different things." Got it. Monday brought some variety and by golly if we're going to every Talbots in the Atl, I'm going to Blue Genes per Kathleen. 

This store is a gem. I wouldn't consider it a bargain by any stretch of the imagination but the girls there actually HELP you. A concept for those that shop in Montgomery. I found two pairs of not so cheap jeans that were cute and asked the girl to whisper my total as I wasn't interested in taking my mother to Piedmont Hospital that day. I was not the first with that request. They are being hemmed each a mile at this moment but I feel officially cool. Hudson anyone? 7 for All Mankind anyone? 

And what's up with Atlantic Station. We ended our journey there on our way out of town in a desperate search for 4" stilettos at DSW.......and boxes at Target (mom). That place is strange. It's like Montgomery in the middle of Atlanta. Why? Prime location but very normal/average stores. Anyway, no more star sightings like the Dooleys but at that point we didn't have time to be distracted by stars. We had shopping to do and had to get back to MGM before traffic got too nuts. 

We also congratulated every Florida fan we saw for what it's worth. Mom told her "I'm a native Floridian" story (the panhandle dear). So the UF fans showed us love. 

For once in my life I went on that escapade without a list....I know that shocks many of you. But I managed. I'm living on the wild side these days. 

The Weekend in Atl

So the weekend started off all fun and games. Literally. A SEC game of monumental proportions that was hyped beyond belief and thus ticket prices were way past face value. I pulled a guilt trip on my parents for not wanting to spend the money so they calmed down and purchased two thanks to Carl. It was driving Miss Daisy to Atl on Sat. morning.

I must say, the most thrilling part was meeting Coach Vince Dooley and his wife Barbara (I'm sure she's called Babs) as we were walking to the MARTA station. My brother said, "don't look back but Vince Dooley and his wife are right behind us. I looked back and with a triple Jack and coke in hand I convinced mom to talk to them. They were super nice--especially being Auburn grads and a former UGA coach. I asked Babs if she was sitting "with Terry" and she confirmed. Terry being St. Nick Saban's wife. My oh my how they roll. Although their method to get to the game still surprises me. MARTA? Really? Anyway, we got on MARTA and I ended up being shoulder to shoulder with Vince. I even told him my husband had just texted me and to tell him he wishes his son would take the Auburn coaching job. He chuckled as I'm sure he was thinking, "get this Bama girl outta my face." I did point out to him that that under his trench coat he was wearing a houndstooth blazer. He acted like that was not planned. Yeah right coach.

The first three quarters were all well and good and then 4th quarter had to hit. Like a ton of bricks. AND--the Georgia Dome did not sell beer. Why not? You did at the Bama/Clemson game! Anyway, so proud of the Tide but a let down for sure. It's like Christmas night when you know under the tree will be empty but it's still sad to see without presents. So I texted friends including sending pics of fans around me to try to keep in the spirit. I told myself it would be a hard one to win but it didn't make it any easier. I kept seeing the tired Bama shaker sticking out of my travel bag in our hotel room as if it said, "I got you 12--be happy." But I couldn't. So close.

More to come on the Atl weekend.