It is Christmas time!

Today is Christmas Eve day! We celebrated this morning with coffee and presents with The Dear Friend and Neighbor. Of course, Dear F&N comes over every Wednesday AM for coffee, but this one was special. Tex and I exchanged our gifts this AM also. We are going to Mass, then to Bud & The Beautiful Daughter in Law's for Christmas Eve with her family, then watching the Littlest Cowpoke open his Santa presents on Christmas Morn, then hopping in the car to go to Austin to spend Christmas Day with Lawyer Girl and her Virus Researcher fella and his parents. Hopefully, we can catch our breath in Austin before we head back home for Christmas with the RR & Bird Girl family and the Bigger Cowpokes and Pokette. Whew!

Thank you to those of you who called and wrote regarding the Ex's passing. I really appreciate your warm words.

Merry Christmas to all of you, as we welcome the Christ Child into the world once again tonight.

Rest, dear Scott, Rest in Peace

The father of my children, Scott Evans Griffiths, age 62, died this morning in Austin, Texas. He died at home, after a long wrestling match with cancer resulting from his heart transplant 9 years ago. Scott was a gregarious man with a heart that went out to the abused and neglected children and their families. He worked as a caseworker and supervisor for Children's Protective Services for the bulk of his adult career. When he retired from CPS his many volunteer activities drew him to people of other cultures in order to improve their economic conditions. His heart transplant allowed him to know his cherished grandson Caetano Griffiths, age 5, as well as to spend extra time with his beloved wife Gail Johnson and his two children, Benjamin Griffiths and Meghan Griffiths. Scott is mourned by his extended family, Chris Sullivan, Elizabeth Marrero, Anna Rae Rozell and Fred Rozell, as well as cousins and dear friends. Scott viewed his life as an adventure and will no doubt relish the continuation of life into the next world. Rest well, my dear.

5 Days Before Christmas

I'm having a hard time blogging right now. Several times I have sat down at the computer but nothing comes.
The new hardwood floor is in and it looks beautiful! I do want the installers to come back, though, and smooth a couple of places. My Wonderful Neighbor/Friend came over this morning and helped me decorate for Christmas. It feels very different this year even though we used the same decorations.
My daughter Lawyer Girl has a hard time whenever I blog about her father. I feel badly about continuing to do so, but I have absolutely no other outlet. He continues to rally after low spells. It is so hard on everyone but admirable too. I don't know what to think or what to pray. "Thy will be done" fits for me, but seems kind of inappropriate too for him... My past experience with the deaths of my parents tells me that people stay until they finish up whatever they need to finish. But gosh, it is so hard to go through even at this removed distance. I have found myself being very thankful for his life in the past week or so and for his dedication to his kids who, of course, are also my kids.
Well, it is off to an Open House at a dear British friend's house.

What did I do?

Yesterday, as part of a well thought out plan (get Tex a Jitterbug phone for Christmas) and leaving ATT for better reception through Verizon (not to mention bundling our bills), I did a very impulsive thing. I bought a Blackberry! Me, one of the most computer-challenged people in the nation! Aahh! I was really excited when I figured out how to charge it - my gosh, they give you four different plugs. But it is now charged, and we shall see if I can complete a call on it. Thank goodness they downloaded my contact list into the phone at the store. I am told that the tech support person in my office can put my office email into it. When I get my password on the Verizon email straightened out, maybe we can get that also. I really want to be able to work the calendar and camera, too. Work with me, oh angel of technology!

Virtual Retreat Questions

In participating in the Virtual Advent Retreat on the REVGALPALS blog, MB asks the following questions:

Imagine beginning each day with the prayer "let it be with me according to your word." How might such a prayer alter the rhythm of your days? If I actually prayed this? That is a scary thought. What would God want from me? What would I have to give up? What would I gain? These are not very spiritual questions, are they? I'll try it right now...No zappers yet, just a reminder to get up and fix Tex some dinner.

After Mary hears the news from the angel, she goes to be with Elizabeth, an older cousin. Can you think of other women who have mentored or sheltered you? Oh my mother Mickie, my wonderful nurturer, cheerleader, and best friend of my life. I think of her every day, thankful thoughts, direct questions to her, and comments to her. One of the joys of getting older is that I am getting closer to seeing her again. Also, my dear friend Judy who went through the days of divorce and raising young children, mentors at CPS who taught me to care for other people while taking care of myself, and lately, my dear friend Sharrond, who walks with me through Tex's illness. My daughter and daughter-in-law whose beauty and strength inspire me.

What is God calling you to give birth to in this advent season? Love and prayer for the Ex? I found a beautiful prayer in the Prayer Book funeral service, which I say numerous times a day as the Ex gets weaker and closer to death: "Receive him, Lord, into your arms of mercy." Other births to be awaited as this Season of Advent progresses.