Our First Christmas Without Debbie’s Mom
Yesterday, as I was going thru some old Christmas videos I came across this one… This hung in a doorway in Debbie’s house that she grew up in from the…
Yesterday, as I was going thru some old Christmas videos I came across this one...
This hung in a doorway in Debbie's house that she grew up in from the first Christmas she could remember. Of all the decorations that my mother-in-law had (and they were countless), this is the only one that still exists. We hung it in the archway between our kitchen and dining room. The string below Santa had not been pulled in years until this video. It hasn't been pulled since, we don't want to jinx/ruin a perfect moment.
Last Christmas, Debbie hinted that she really wanted to go home to Texas for Christmas and see her mom. I ignored her subtle hints, and it's not her way to ever insist on her heart's desire.
Last March (pre-Covid) we lost Debbie's mom to Dementia.
I've got to live with that. This mistake of not paying attention to my wife's wishes was not only selfish and tone-deaf on my part, but as I look back now...it's unforgivable.
Two days ago, while here in Texas, Debbie went to meet her surviving brothers for lunch and to go to her mom's gravesite. There was never a funeral, and so this was her chance to say goodbye to her last living parent, friend, and confidant.
I've mentioned before that sometimes what we share here, we find; and sometimes, the material finds us. It's as if, someone knew what she was doing, and what I was thinking about when this crossed my inbox.
God bless all the mothers and daughters. And if you're still lucky enough to have each other, make a point to love each other this Christmas like there's no tomorrow.
