Sometimes fear creeps into my day. Each day I see some horrific incident on the news I worry for my loved ones. Not every incident (you would go crazy) but some really give you pause. But today my fear is visiting my parents grave again. I guess it comes from not being over to visit for several months now. That combined with the holiday season has me very emotional.

And that is the fear I get. The fear of struggling emotionally. And not just that morning. It sometimes doesn’t leave me for a few days. The summer and spring visits are kind of easy and more relaxed. I even leave there feeling good like I’ve had a nice talk and catch up session. Even though spring and summer is the time they both passed, but for some reason, the Xmas season brings about that sense of loss in a different and difficult way.

Tomorrow many volunteers will spread hundreds of thousands of wreaths there. I thank those wonderful people. That is one of the organizations that I contribute to every year. Wreaths Across America

So I’ll face my fear on Sunday morning, this week or next. I’ll have a nice visit and talk. I’ll shed some tears. I’ll snap a few photos. I’ll drive out and as I see others visiting loved ones I’ll say a prayer for them.

Sometimes you really miss loved ones who are no longer alive. I hope I’ll always keep them alive in my heart and therefore in my children’s hearts and in their children’s hearts.

I remember so how my mother loved Christmas time. Decorating and cooking and giving gifts were her loves. Helping others was also important to her throughout the year but especially during the holidays. I don’t think I ever saw her walk by a Salvation army pot without putting something in it.

I’m going to continue in her spirit and pick another cause or two this week to donate to. And this coming year I’m going to try to do better in my donation of time also.

Random Thoughts of the Day

• Pain is reminding me it was just on vacation and its family of aches is returning.
• It’s not really the time of year for ice cream but I went for it anyway.
• It’s tissue season.