December 16, 2009

This evening Emily has been thinking of past Christmases and shared this:

Remembering one of our first Christmases. 

When we lived in West Liberty, KY in 1950, Russell was two years old - his third birthday coming on February 6th.  Gene was working for the University of KY Extension as an Assistant County Agent.  He had graduated from Berea College, majoring in Agriculture in May of that year.  Lynn and Steve were not on the scene yet. 

We had a live Christmas tree and put it in the hallway of the one bedroom upstairs apartment where we lived in West Liberty.  I made some paper ornaments including some tinsel icicles. I explained to Russell that we decorated the tree for Jesus' Birthday.  He began singing "Happy Birthday to Jesus".  It was a simple celebration with none of our family nearby.  We continued to have a live Christmas tree.  So as I look forward to Christmas with a visit from Steve, Pat, and our youngest grandchildren, twins Meredith and Patrick, (almost 21), and Lynn, Alan, and their youngest living nearby, I will relive some of the many special Christmas time with Gene and our children.

I bought the tree yesterday and hope to delegate decorating it to our grandchildren this time:  So Meredith, Liga, Patrick, and Valdis, Be ready to deck the halls.  Alan said he even knows where we can get some mistletoe.  

We will miss Gene so very much, but we will have him with us in our hearts, and I hope we can focus on the many wonderful blessings God has sent our way through the years; and most especially the marvelous gift of God's plan for our salvation.