Last Wednesday my Dad flew in to Dayton from his winter home in Florida. He came home for 2 weeks to spend Christmas with his family. He lives in Sidney for 6 months during the summer and then migrates down to Florida for the winter. I can't say I blame him. This is something he has been doing for years. This is the 2nd year he has had to do it alone. In September 2004 my Mom passed away from cancer at the age of 68.

Todd picked him up from the airport and when he got home he told me that Dad just talked non-stop about his new lady friend Fran. I knew that he really liked her from some conversations I had with him on the phone. About 6 months after Mom passed away he was making a list of women he thought he might ask out. He was so lonely and really missed the companionship of a woman. Those were his words at the time. At first I thought this was strange to be making a list of potential girlfriends but he explained to me that when you are in your 70's you don't have a lot of time and that he didn't want to live alone.

Well in the spring of 2005 he came home for the summer and asked out one of the women on his list. That one didn't work out. Then he went on to the next person. LOL! A very nice lady from Sidney. They did all kinds of things together. Dad is not one to sit home and likes to keep busy with social events, church related activities, and of course golf. He spent time doing things with her during the past 2 summers and although they got along and socialized a lot Dad felt like it wasn't a good match for him. So, he told me that he was going to ask out a lady in Florida that he sat next to in the church choir when he went back this fall. That was Fran.

When Todd got home from the airport he proceeded to tell me that Dad was pretty much making plans to marry her. That was a shock to me because he has only been dating her for 2 1/2 months. I then talked to Dad and the first thing out of his mouth was "Did Todd tell you about my lady friend? What do you think?" My response was "Well it seems kind of sudden." After we talked awhile things started to seem better about the situation. Yes I still think it is sudden but when you are older you have a different perspective on things. I'm learning this a lot from my Dad. Him making a list of possible dates after 6 months of being alone seemed kind of sudden and now this. He proceeded to tell me that he has known Fran for 10 years from being in the church choir together. He said he knows her personality and reputation. I realize that this relationship is not going to be like the one he had with Mom where you date when you are young, have kids, and grow old together. This is more like a companionship between two people who have lost their spouses and don't want to be alone. They have many things in common such as blue eyes, being left handed, both being 75, being Lutheran, singing, playing golf, and going out with friends. The blue eyes and left handed traits were ones my Dad mentioned and I thought those were funny.

I truly just want my Dad to be happy. It seems kind of strange to have a picture of him and Fran together and to not have met her. It sounds like she might be his wife before he gets home in the spring. I guess they are working out the details.

Nobody will ever replace my Mom which Dad has stated numerous times. I do see that my Dad needs to move forward and I want to be behind him 100%. I know he wants the blessing of his 3 children and their families. You have my blessing Dad!

After Evan gets home from school I usually look in his book bag to see what homework he has and what papers he has completed and brought home. Today there was a treasure inside. There was a 4 page story he wrote called "The Real Meaning of Christmas". There was no grade on it and I'm not sure if this is something he did on his own or something that was assigned to him. Sometimes he and some of his friends write silly stories just for fun but I think this was supposed to be a serious story with a silly twist. I just had to share it. Watch out for the Mini Quizzes. LOL!

The Real Meaning of Christmas - by Evan

Chapter 1
A long, long time ago a baby named Jesus was born. Wait, let me start over. (Mini Quiz #1 - What do you think I'm gonna talk about at the end? A) Jesus B) Bob The Builder C) meatloaf D) nothing -- Answer is A) Joseph went to (Mini Quiz #2 - Where is Joseph gonna go? A) La La Land B) King's Island C) Bethlehem D) the forest -- Answer is C) Bethlehem to take a census. He went with (Mini Quiz #3 - Who did he go with? A) Dora The Explorer B) Barney C) The Teletubbys D) his fiance, Mary -- Answer is D) his fiance, Mary. (Mini Quiz #4 - Joseph and Mary were married. True or False? -- Answer False) They went to an Inn and ... (Mini Quiz #5 - What did the Innkeeper say? A) No room. B) Hi! C) Welcome to Holiday Inn! D) Are you Bob and Sara from California? -- Answer A)

Chapter 2
The Innkeeper had no room but he had a ... (Mini Quiz #6 - What did the Innkeeper have? A) apple pie B) a stable C) a doll D) a pet spider -- Answer B) stable. Angels woke up some shepherds in a nearby... (Mini Quiz #7 - Where did the shepherds wake up? A) Bob's house B) Tom's house C) Larry's house D) a nearby field -- Answer D) field. They told the shepherds to look for a baby wrapped in cloth. The wisemen followed a... (Mini Quiz #8 - What did the wisemen follow? A) a star B) a turtle C) the yellow brick road D) a car -- Answer A) star and brought gifts to Jesus. The real meaning of Christmas is Jesus b-day not presents! Jesus was born to... (Mini Quiz #9 - What was Jesus born to do? A) eat pie B) play ball C) die on the cross for our sins D) nothing -- Answer C) die for our sins.

The End

Do you know the song "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"? Well if you use that tune to the following words you get my favorite Christmas song:

1. The restroom door said Gentlemen
So I just walked inside
I took two steps and realized
I'd been taken for a ride
I heard high voices turned and found
The place was occupied

By two nuns, three old ladies, and a nurse
What could be worse?
Than two nuns, three old ladies and a nurse.

2. The restroom door said Gentlemen
It must have been a gag
As soon as I walked in there I ran into some old hag
She sprayed me with a can of mace
And snapped me with her bag.

I could tell this just wouldn't be my day
What can I say?
It just wasn't turning out to be my day.

3. The restroom door said Gentlemen
And I would like to find
The crummy little creep who had the nerve to switch the sign
Cause I've got two black eyes
And one high heel up my behind

Now I can't sit with comfort and joy
Boy, oh, boy
No, I'll never sit with comfort and joy.

Okay - maybe that isn't my favorite song. But it sure is a bit funny you have to admit. My favorite Christmas song is Silent Night. When I sing Silent Night I think of the birth of Jesus and the fact that it wasn't in a fancy place with really important people around. It was in a barn with animals and I'm sure with some funky smells. The place it happened wasn't what was important but what was happening was of utmost importance. Our Savior was being born.

We always have sung this song at the end of the Christmas Eve service at church every year since I was a kid. We light candles and it is very touching. It seems like after all of the stress of preparing for Christmas there is finally a chance to really take in what Christmas is all about.

Thank you God for sending us your Son and thank you for this song that brings back the reality of the season. Jesus is the reason for the season. All is calm..... all is bright.

Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in Heavenly peace
Sleep in Heavenly peace

Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from Heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah
Christ, the Savior is born
Christ, the Savior is born

Silent night, Holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy Holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth

Today is the birthday of my husband and best friend. He means the world to me. He is a wonderful husband, a great father, and a friend to many. I have always been very proud of him but as each year goes by my pride just grows even more. He gives so much of himself to everyone and everything. Sometimes too much but as he says - "It's all good." He is a wonderful Christian. He has always been such a wonderful encourager. Best of all - he keeps me and others laughing. Happy Birthday dude! (as Evan would say). We love you!