Christmas time has come to Alabama. The towns hanging their banners and lights, people decorating their doors and drives. We live in a small town, homes that range from impoverished to wealthy, but almost all celebrating the birth of Jesus this month, I am thankful that even when households have different belief systems, respect is present in our community.
Last weekend served as the anniversary of my father’s death a year ago. The week was full of memories as I had time alone to recall being with dad his last 40 plus days one on one, as his care giver in Arkansas. The moments were tender, hard, wonderful and horrid all in one. A year later I am ever amazed at the way that poor country boy found his way to Tulane, became his dream…a doctor…and how he returned to his nearby community as a businessman in many businesses. I believe most of my childhood my father was exhausted as a doctor as a small town. I remember the relief of moving to the next small town where there were additional physicians to help with nightly calls and weekend duties. Hard work as a daily effort was surely taught to me by example by my elders both parent and grandparents.
The puppies are almost old enough to go to their new homes. It’s been a nightmarish week of mite infestation despite all attempts to prevent it. Baths, treatments, play and love, and repeat. Exhaustive but unpreventable so we march on.
Sweetieland is going to be a two washroom home this season. Dh is working on our small master bath, how welcome that addition will be. Our single garage of our 1954 home turned master bedroom will be a welcome addition to our living space. We’ve worked on this for about four months now and though we live in the room, it is still very rough, but joyful too as we develop it as we go!
Our Christmas tree is up, an artificial one in the living room, but the joy was in bringing in one for Madison’s room.. The aroma that tree brought into the house! I have no doubt it will shed unmercifully but some things are worth the trouble of making our homes lovely.
What is it that you’re doing this week?
