Rhonda, happy Holidays to you and all the gardeners!

Silvia

Thanks Silvia and Deb! All the best to you and your families.

Rhonda

And a Merry Christmas to all youse guys as well !

Thanks Joe :)

Just a little background on the hummingbird ornament...one that holds a special place in my heart: My dear Father-in-law, who knew I loved hummingbirds, gave me this on Christmas Day, 2004. That was a wonderful Christmas, everyone was able to be together and we enjoyed each other's company. Two days later, he had a massive stroke and died on New Year's Day. Is was a horrible shock, but at least he didn't have to suffer long. So, this ornament hangs front and center in a place of honor on my tree each year :)

Rhonda

What a sweet story, Rhonda. I have many sentimental Christmas ornaments, and I miss putting up a tree every year, but alas, no room here right now and no family, so no tree.

You are so funny! I had a Charlie Brown tree one year, for true. My niece was living with me, and we could not afford a tree. The lot down the road always left the unsold trees a couple of days before Christmas for people to take. The only thing left was a twisted, warped little 4-ft. tree. We took it home, made ornaments for it, and stuck it into the hole in the middle of a cable spool. We had no lights for it, but I'll never forget the star. We cut it out of cardboard and covered it with glitter on both sides, stuck it on a popsicle stick and tied it on with yarn. Everyone thought we had the most beautiful tree ever.

Thanks Deb, he was a sweet man. I, like you, have many other favorites, mostly tied to big events with my son's first Christmases, ornaments they made in school, etc.

Your little tree sounds adorable. Sometimes the handmade ornaments are the most special. We didn't have much money growing up but we always had a nice tree.....decorated with popcorn that we strung, colored paper chains we made and silver cardboard stars covered in aluminum foil. I will remember those trees forever and I bet that little tree and it's star it is still one of your niece's favorite memories :)

I know what you mean about the no family, no tree. For the first 7 years I was down here, there was never a year where both of my sons could be here, most years neither could be. One was in Ohio and could come down but the other was in the military in Yakima or out of the country and couldn't. Then, another year the one in the military could come but the other was in Spain for 4 years and it was too expensive to fly home for Christmas. Last year, both came to live in Florida and are both less than 2 hours away so they were both here for Thanksgiving and Christmas, talk about a happy Mama!

Joe,

Your tree is too cute and so low maintenance :) And, such a south Florida looking one. I still watch the Charlie Brown Christmas special every year, somethings you never outgrow.

Rhonda

This
Christmas will be difficult for my family. My brother Jeff, who lives
in Ohio and has been suffering with severe multiple sclerosis for years,
has rapidly degenerated this year. He was put on life support on
Sunday and this morning at 9:00, after several discussions with doctors
there who told his wife and 4 children that he would never come out of
this, all life sustaining machines and medications were stopped. As of
8:00 tonight, while in a medically induced coma, he is still hanging on.

I've been there this week through FaceTime in his hospital room,
sharing stories and I Love Yous. So that I can be with my family as
long as possible, I will head up to Ohio when he passes. I've found
peace knowing that soon his suffering will be over and he'll be with Dad
and my brother Rick watching their Cavs, Indians and Browns (maybe with
my 3 angels rooting for them they can win a game).


Cherish every moment you have with your family and friends and tell them you love them every day.

Rhonda

God bless you Jeff ! And my condolences to you Rhonda !

Thanks so much Joe, your condolences mean a lot to me.

Rhonda, thank you for the holiday wishes. I only hope that your brother pulls off a Christmas miracle or that he finds peace. And I hope you have a warm and peaceful Christmas!

Wanna,

You're very welcome. Thanks for your kind words. My youngest son and I arrived in Ohio a few hours ago. Amazingly, Jeff is still hanging in there but is non-responsive and has been running a 104℉ fever since yesterday morning. Short of a true miracle, I don't think he'll be here long. I hope now that I'm home that he knows it is OK to let go.

Marry Christmas and happy holidays to all

Thanks Glenn!

Just an update, my brother died early this afternoon. I am glad that I was able to get here before he passed and be with him when he did. Hard as it is to say goodbye, the end of his suffering was a present of sorts.

Hope you all enjoy precious time with your family and friends this holiday season.

Rhonda

I'm sorry Rhonda

Thanks Glenn.

Ronda, I'm so sorry you're having to go through this, especially at this time of year.

Thanks for the kind words writersblock.