Father's Day

You will not see a pic of my father as my profile pic for FB. I never really knew him. I did see him occasionally throughout my life, but I still did not know him. Notice I said occasionally. He was never a father to me. He was not there to provide a home for my mother and me. He was not there when I learned to ride a bike. He was not there to make sure Christmas was special for me. He was not there to take me to church. He was not there when I got A's on my report card and gave me a reward for that. He was not there to buy me my first guitar when I learned to play. He was not there when I learned to drive a car. He was not there to walk me down the aisle when I got married. He has never been there to see any of his grandchildren. But there was a man who became like a "father" to me, and that was my grandfather, Poppop. My Mom, brother and I lived with my Grandfather and Grandmother till I was about 16. He was the one who was there for me, who taught me to ride a bike, to drive a car, to give me money when I brought home A's on my report card. And yes, he was the one to walk me down the aisle when I got married. Another man became a "Dad" to me and that was my father-in-law, Kyle Blackburn. I have no doubt in my mind that I was one of his "daughters". (I do not even know if my father is dead or alive.) So when it comes to Father's Day, I will celebrate these two men in my life (one is in Heaven and one is still on this earth), instead of my natural father.

Christmas Advent Day #24 - Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was very exciting. Since we did not open gifts then, it was spent getting ready for Santa Claus. That is when the letter would be written (by my Aunt from West Virginia), and the cookies and milk were left. And of course there was the anticipation.

Christmas Advent Day #23 - Christmas Sweetheart Memories

Since Ricky has been the only sweet heart I have had, the first memory of Christmas with him, was the little double heart ring and the powder dish he gave me. But the greatest memory I have, was when, at Christmas, he proposed to me. Then I got another ring, but this was real with a real diamond.
Our first Christmas together, at the age of 17, and we had only been married 3 months, we then lived at am apartment on Route 1 in Street.

Christmas Advent Day #22 - Christmas and Deceased relatives

Every year we go to our loved ones graves (even though we know that are not really there). I guess it helps to comfort us, because it does nothing for them, only keeps their memory alive for us. We all go as a family, and we put flowers on each of their graves. It seems that our stops seem to get longer every year or two. We miss so much these relatives who have gone on home, Kyle & Faye Blackburn, Betty Privett, Donna Blevins and Jack Pennington, (especially around the holidays).

Christmas Advent Day #21 - Christmas Music

We sang all carols when I was growing up. I remember that my Mom, my Aunt and us five kids (my brother and my cousins) would all pile into Mom's car and she would take all of us out to look at Christmas lights. We would sing all the fun ones, like Rudolph and Jingle Bloop, I mean, Jingle Bells. Somewhere along the way, my brother made up a name for my best friend Linda, Bloop. And he would substitute her name in the song, we all, including her thought that was so funny.
As long as Ricky and I have been married, we have went Christmas caroling with whatever church we were involved with.  On foot, by car, by church bus. We also had such fun doing this. We have sang to the elderly, the shut in and sick, the nursing homes, and most recently the homeless shelter. we have also been involved in Christmas cantatas, which was also alot of fun to do.

Christmas Advent Day #18 - Christmas Stockings

I do not remember having a stocking. But our kids have each always had one. I fill it on Christmas Eve and they open it on Christmas Morning. They have always expected one and still do, no matter how old they get, the still want one. Even the dogs had one. It seems that every year, a new stocking gets added to the wall.

Christmas Advent Day #16 - Christmas at school

My biggest memories of Christmas at school, would be from high school. I was in Chorus and always participated in the Christmas concerts. We wore green and gold robes (North Harford). It was a big deal, because my whole family would be attendance.

After Ricky and I got married, we were always involved in the church programs and plays for Christmas. As the kids got older they were in them too. We have had some really good plays in churches we have been involved in.