Usually, I’m going to bed on Monday morning around 6 or 7 am. But I had the night off and I was up early at 3:30 am and decided to stay up and get an early start on the day. What’s strange is that instead of gasping for a second wind to complete the worknight, I’m fresh and ready to go.
So off to CVS I went to pick up meds for a sick family member who wants to remain nameless (alias my better half). That cold air will really get your attention and wake you up.
The Tree – With our home renovations project running way behind schedule, we hadn’t had room to bring in a live tree to our normal spot, so instead of going at the beginning of December to get one, we waited till the 19th. Complicating matters, our normal tree purchasing spot hadn’t opened this year for some reason.
Well, we got a tree that isn’t the normal family live tree. A normal family tree I have trouble carrying myself and getting in the house and into the stand. It never fits in the SUV so the bungee cords come along. This year, it fits inside the SUV, carrying it inside the home and setup was a breeze. I wonder if the kids will notice because they usually walk in the family room and comment on the “Dad Tree”. I think I’ll make a sign over it saying “Due to Construction delays we have a Dads Charlie Brown Tree Year.”
I put the lights on it and it still looks sad, I’ll try decorations next.
It’s strange not to have parents at this time of year. When you go from years of caregiving to gone, it’s a void indeed. Not to mention the special memories that come rushing back at the holidays. Maybe special dishes or meals, maybe the unique gifts, maybe the long embrace and kiss, maybe their smile or laughter at games the family would play together, maybe their decorations or music. Whatever or all of these and more are things are now just memories in our mind that cause us to pause.
I can still see them pulling in the driveway, and walking in our door. Sometimes when we’re sitting around I’ll think that is where Mom used to sit and I’ll remember handing her a gift. For some reason, these and many more memories have come back the last several nights. I think when I opened an ornament box and saw some old ones that reminded me of the home tree it started a flood of thoughts.
Random Thoughts of the Day
- Life is more fluid when it rains.
- Well, I’ve settled in with a new barber again. Took a few years after the guy who cut my hair about 3 decades moved.
- First couple nights I’ve felt I had to wear my winter coat out.
- 15 more hours of work and then the chains come off.
