This has always been the day to remember a cousin, Nelson Johnson, who was born December 26, 1946. Sadly Nelson died in 2010 from complications of being sprayed with agent orange while serving in Vietnam while serving in the U.S. Marines back in the 1960's. Rest in Peace, Nelson.
It seems holidays bring both joy and sadness, and Christmas Day was no exception. Ken and I were up early, enjoyed coffee and a breakfast casserole, opened presents (we got exactly what we wanted - surprising, isn't it?), and then made goodies to take to niece Peggy's house for our Kilgore family gathering. It was so much fun to see everybody again. Since we talk to family all the time, one would wonder what we could possibly have to talk about when we see them, but it's just fun. Even though we all live a stone's throw away from one another, the holidays are still about the only time we get together.
We got back to our house about 4:00 p.m., rested a bit, and then I started cleaning up the mess around here. Still have a lot to do -- the dining room table is the goal for today! Gotta get that thing cleaned off!!! It has been stacked to the hilt for weeks (months?). What to do with boxes that I may need later for packing things to send to son who lives out of town???? I don't know but I am NOT throwing them away. I will have to hide them or Ken will throw them out.
So, the horrible thing about Christmas Day -- I received a FB message sometime Christmas evening advising that a cousin's husband had been killed when the tornado in Louisiana hit causing a tree to fall on their house. It hit where he was sitting. So, when one reads the news story about the 53 year old man killed in the tornado in Louisiana, that's my cousin's husband. Prayers for this family definitely needed.
I "met" this part of our family via the internet - a cousin contacted me because she, too, is involved in family research. Turns out we're not that distantly related. The cousin I communicate with is Rebecca Calhoun Allar. It is her sister's husband who was killed and their home destroyed (trailer). Unfortunately another sister and her husband also lived in a trailer behind the one where the tree fell. Their home was also destroyed in the tornado. Becky lives about 70 miles from where this happened, but all in northern Louisiana. May the good Lord bless and keep them.
This Christmas was rather strange. We haven't had our own children and grandchildren in our lives in several years...we had to bow out of the constant drama that was going on for self preservation, and as a result we were disowned by them...shunned, written off. Therefore it was a bit strange to have communication with one of the daughters throughout the latter part of the month of December even though it was just suggestions as to what to get each grandchild for Christmas. She thanked us for gifts and that was appreciated. The real shocker was to receive a thank you message from her sister who lives next door to her and who does not bother to speak to me even if she sees me. Have no idea if either daughter will continue communication now that the season is over. I've invited them to brunch at the tea room tomorrow and one daughter has responded in the positive. The other daughter has not responded at all. Whatever decision is made is ok.
That's it for now unless something interesting happens. I need to get busy. Have a great "day-after-Christmas-Day."
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