Tag Archives: holiday

Amazing

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It is Finished!

It is Finished!

I heard this from my good friend, Whatwereyathinkin.  http://deepthinker52.wordpress.com

With the days of Easter nearing each minute, let us take time to be ever so thankful for all we have. I try so hard to look at the tiniest of things in my and Al’s life and give all thanks to God.

If I waited for the big things I would sorely be disappointed.

Please listen to this talented 7-year-old sing Amazing Grace. God bless you all through this Easter Holiday.

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Easter’s Ago

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Easter Sunday was always a big day for our family. We kids would bathe the evening before. We were called to wake up very early as we had the early service to go to. I would put on my brand new frilly dress. It usually was a taffeta in colors of white, blue or pink. I had matching socks with new black  patent leather shoes that buckled. I also had white gloves and a matching hat.

We would all get in the car and then I would listen to Mom nit pick at Dad. I think back now and I am sure she was just frazzled. Getting up early and getting us all dressed and ready to leave was stressful for her.

On the way to church Dad would smoke his cigar in the car and Mom would tell him to roll that window down. He was choking her out. My brother and I would sit very quietly in the back seat ready for the drive to be over.

As soon as we arrived to church everything changed. We opened the double doors to be welcomed by the greeters. Mom and Dad had smiles on their faces. Everyone was fine once again.

We would go to the early service. I think maybe I drifted in and out of cat naps. After this service was over we would race down the steps to the church basement. There would be waiting pancakes and sausages. I could smell the aroma of the maple syrup. It smelled so good.

After the tables were cleaned we would go back upstairs to the regular Sunday morning service. By then I was getting fidgety. I remember many times being tapped on the shoulder to sit still.

After church we would drive home. Mom would tell us to change out of our Sunday clothes and put play clothes on. She would grab the home-made pies she had made the day before and then we would run over to Grandma’s house. She only made two kinds and they were more for Dad than us kids. They were Pecan and Chocolate pies.

There we would see everyone. Cousins, aunts and uncles. One big family with lots of kids to play with. Us kids would always go outside to run and play. I can remember playing a lot of tag and hide and seek.

Then the call came to come in for dinner. There would be Grandma’s home-made noodles and mashed potatoes. I remember the pickled eggs that were always bright pink.  There was always a big ham that my uncle would slice into pieces. There were deviled eggs too. There were always pies and pudding desserts. We never left the table hungry.

After putting our plates in the sink we would head back outside. Soon adults would come out and tell us it was time to find the eggs the Easter Bunny had hidden. It seems there must have been about six dozen eggs to find. But then again we had a lot of cousins.

We would bring all our eggs for the adults to check and if they didn’t count out to what was hidden we would continue to look. When they were all found we would take our wicker baskets back inside and then we were given our Easter baskets.

They were filled with chocolate bunnies and pink peeps. Brightly colored jelly beans and speckled eggs. All the candies were laying on top of fake green grass. We would divide the real eggs up and put them in each of our baskets.

We would go outside on the porch and crack an egg and eat it. We felt like big stuff as we guarded all of our goodies. I look at those plastic eggs they sell today and think back to the real ones we received. Mom would use vinegar and food colors and color each egg. She would use a wax crayon and write our names on them. It was fun cracking the egg open to see the outer edges colored in pink or blue or yellow.

Those sure were the days. Us kids would be tuckered out and we took Grandma’s bed or the spare bed and take a nap. Some of us kids rested our heads in our Mom’s lap and let the grown up conversation lull us to sleep.

What I wouldn’t give to share one more day like this together. I know I can not so I look to the heavens and tell them how much I miss them and love them.candle3

Daily Prompt; Fantasy / The Daily Post

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OsterhaseNikolaus

OsterhaseNikolaus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

http://dailypost.wordpress.com

DP, Daily Prompt, Daily Post

The Tooth Fairy (or Easter Bunny, or Santa Claus . . .) : a fun and harmless fiction, or a pointless justification for lying to children?

Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny or Santa Claus. Nice choices but for me it will be Santa. The reason I chose this is because the Tooth Fairy happens while I am asleep. Aside from me waking up in the morning to discover fifty cents,(back in my day) life moved along as normal.

Easter Bunny just doesn’t cut it for me any longer. Not only because I haven’t received an Easter basket for God knows how many years, it is too contradicting against what Easter represents. I don’t ever remember hearing or seeing pictures of Jesus carrying a basket of candy.

Santa the only choice left involves more than the over-stated and commercialized symbol of the Lord’s birth. It also involves the whole ball of wax. The kiddies are excited. I can imagine that for some kids this is the one time of the year where attention is sprinkled on them.

Smiles erupt like active volcanoes. Good spirits and anticipation for living are heightened taller than the Sears Tower. For the homeless it is a chance to have maybe more than that one meal each day. It probably makes their mouth water just thinking about turkey or ham and mashed potatoes along with dinner rolls. Dessert must be added to this fine meal.

This can give some much more hope for this  short season. Twinkles are brought to their eyes. Stopping to take time to spruce up themselves is done without nudging. Food banks, bell ringers, Adopt-A-Trees and Angel Missions are brought to life to the point of seams busting. Monies and wrapped gifts find their way to children who may have not had a Christmas other wise. Food in abundance rests upon plastic holiday scenery table cloths.

Milk over water will fill little tummies. Families come together during this time of year. Maybe they have not seen each other since the last holiday. Laughter fills the spaces within the home. Everyone forgets about the daily problems in their lives and also the world.

For others who never forget that the reason of Christmas is to celebrate Jesus birthday it is a double reason to smile. Extra activities being performed at local churches. Kiddies involved in plays. Families driving through cities to see Christmas Lights. Families coming together for the noon meal.

As I sit here typing I can go back in time very easily and hear the echos of joy. I can remember faces that were once again introduced and hear comments of my how much I have grown since last year.

I cherish the memories of families holding hands while Dad or Grandpa said grace giving thanks to our heavenly Father for all we have been blessed with. The preparations for this holiday and changing of hearts last for maybe a month or longer.

Then it is over. Poof, like a wand being drizzled over our heads. The trees go down, all brightly decorated pretties are placed in the boxes saving them for the next year. Kids go back to school. Parents go back to work. Or maybe the homeless go back to the cold and weary lives of lost hope.

I have chosen Santa because he is the one fantasy that can bring hope, faith, love, smiles, laughter, filled bellies,  presents, singing, churches  and families together longer than any other holiday. Easter is a close second to me but without the Easter Bunny and the excitement may only last a day up to a week.

For my brother’s sake I did get him a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup four-inch tall chocolate bunny. I have it sitting here waiting for the day to arrive. I can’t be mean or rude. My personal feelings about this blessed event are mine alone. For Al who is more child-like he will enjoy the fantasy part about receiving candy and so I will place this special bunny in his hands and watch him smile.

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Happy Valentine’s Day Brother

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alvin valentine's dayBeing Valentine’s Day I decided to give Al, my brother a few goodies. I stopped at the grocery store and picked up these items for him. I bought myself a Cadbury egg also. I just had to do something to spoil me also.

When I arrived at his facility he was napping. I hated to do it but I woke him up letting him know I was there. He looked at me and gave me that famous smile of his. Eventually he sat up with my help and looked at his gifts. He was more excited about the creme horns than the candy. I knew he would be. It is his favorite junk food. I got him some diet soda as he has been drinking so much diet coke. It is hard on his stomach ulcers drinking too much dark pop.

I bought him some heart-shaped sugar cookies with red sugar sprinkles on top. I bought him a Cadbury egg also and his box of candy. He seemed happy with it. He laid back down and we watched television together.

When it was time to get up for lunch  I saw he had his shirt on backwards so together we changed it. I walked with him down to the dining room. I learned today that for $3.50 I could purchase a meal. I asked Al if he wanted me to dine with him and he said that would be fine. He normally is the only one sitting at his table. This upsets me because he is such a social person.

After we both ordered I observed that every CNA and nurse or any staff that went by he said hi to them. There were a few that didn’t say anything but most of them did respond back to him with a comment. I explained to Al that his voice is so soft that the others could not hear him. I do believe this is the truth too. Al’s voice is very soft.

We each had chicken for lunch. Al had scalloped potatoes and green beans with vanilla ice-cream. I cheated because of the day and I had a baked potato half, butternut squash and a piece of cherry pie with coffee.

Al was definitely struggling today. I just can’t seem to get anything to work with getting those cups to his lips and then being able to tip them enough more to get the liquid in his mouth. I talked to the dietary supervisor and she suggested weighted cups. She was going to dig a few up for him.

I also noticed that a portion of his food went to the floor instead of his mouth from those nasty tremors. He struggled getting food on  his plate. I went to the kitchen and asked for a plate guard. I clipped it on my brother’s plate and it made a huge difference. I told the kitchen to please make sure to attach a guard to each meal plate and they said alright.

The sighing and the tears left as he was able to finally get food on his spoon easier. I don’t see him eat with a fork much anymore. I don’t care. He would have more problems with a fork I think.

He was going on an outing today. He and his driver were going to go get his glasses tightened and get a strap for his glasses. They keep rolling down his nose as it is very difficult for Al to look at a level direction. Just for his photo today, I had to help get his head up far enough for him to look at the camera.

All in all we had a nice time. I told him unless we get that big snow storm I would be back on Sunday. Happy Valentine’s Day bud. Your sister loves you bunches.

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The Rose

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Big Rose

To my brother whom I love so dear

I know you are there and I am here

My thoughts are with you every day

As we walk together and separate ways

I know that you are dealing with all of this

While I am still dealing with hit and miss

Tonight is New Year‘s Eve, and I am thinking of you

I hope you are happy and not too blue

My thoughts and prayers are all for you

As we gather close and pray for all new

I will be always be near you and by your side

As you go through this illness that will not hide

Don’t ever feel alone dear brother

Walking beside you is your loving mother

I ask our God to heal you in this new year

I ask that he also whisper in your ear

And tell you that he and I love  you so

I will leave the Rose,  so you will always know

Love you brother

Terry Shepherd

12/31/2012

 

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My Christmas Wish

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Christmas at home

My nerves are testy and they should not be

I am trying so hard to keep that smile on me

I am going to visit my brother today

I only hope he is having a good day

Here at home I hear silence and gloom

Hoping   I will see more when I enter his room

My wish for Christmas is that he smiles for me

Let his heart soar and his mouth full of glee

I know he is better and safer too

But the loss that I feel over not having you

Here at home with me makes me sad

I wish I could go back and have what we had

Christmas Day is nearing soon we know

I’m bringing you home in the drifting snow

I yearn for that day to be good for you

That I can spoil you so in all I do

You have come to feel at home in your new place

You have a routine set and you have set a pace

I am happy for you that you feel you fit in

I tried my best but Parkinson’s did win.

Terry Shepherd

12/20/2012

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Not As It Seems

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Rick's folks wired baby Jesus down!

Christmas presents under the tree

Spot the dog sitting next to me

Grandpa asleep in the easy chair

Where is grandma I see her no where

Mom is crying in her room

Dad is trying to heal her wounds

Food on the table just sitting there

Appetites gone and the chairs are bare

Television is off today

Music is softly playing a way

Christmas is a time for all to draw near

But not all feel this is true I say in fear

Lives are lived and thought to be

Merry as ever as all can be

Emotions come in a variety of ways

Christmas can come as a gloomy day

Draw near to each other and hold them tight

Look to God and see his bright light

Death picks no season nor time of year

God has it chosen but we should not fear

We live our lives by the golden rules

And  whatever our God says we must do

Accept our lives for what they are

Share with each other here or afar

Praise the holy baby born

Do not live life so full of scorn

Christmas is not always as people say

But let’s stick together and praise the day.

Terry Shepherd

12/19/2012

 

 

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A Night To Forget and Remember

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Why is it almost every single time, my heart is squeezed when I leave Al at the facility. I tell him I love him, and my eyes instantly start to water. I hate the gut wrenching pain I carry with me as I exit the building.

Tonight was no better. The facility had a Christmas party for everyone. I arrived to see a sad man. He pulled out a card he had received in the mail today and then started to cry. Then he started swearing. I thought, wow, who could have sent him a card that would make him this upset? I had already done the dirty work Al had asked of me. I had told the people that they should leave him alone, so what is this all about?

He gave me the card and I opened it. I will be full of crap and shoved in it! It was from the aunt who causes Al so much grief. Although it was signed in our loving grandmother’s handwriting, the card was sent from the aunt. I hate to blame anyone for anything, but this woman ruined Al’s day and party. I just wish she would butt out! If you are out there, and you or one of your friend are reading this, please leave him alone!!You are making him suffer even worse than the PD!!

I did convince him to go to the party. I told him all of his friends would be there. He did go. We sat with some of his friends and I had the opportunity to meet some lovely people, that new our mother when she was growing up.

The song leader  lead a chorus of Christmas carols and then there were foods to be nibbled on and Santa even delivered each of the residents a gift. Al didn’t want to open his because he was just not in a jolly mood, so he had me open it and then I had him take it out of the package. He asked me to bring it home, which I did. It was a nice fuzzy blanket throw.

After the party was over, Al got up to leave the table and his legs froze right there on the spot. I think he was humiliated and he started to cry all over again. My poor brother, I love him so much. I just wish anything or anyone that would cause sadness in his life would just disappear. I wish I could fix everything. I wish I could blink a way the nasty Parkinson’s Disease. I wish we could go back to six years ago, when all was fine.

I did my best to look cheery, and talk about nothing important. I did get these photos. I am thankful to the lady who took Al and my picture together. I wish I would have taken off my coat though. I look fifty pounds heavier in it!!! LOL

al and meAlchristmas partychristmas party 2

 

A Christmas Together

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Twas the night before Christmas

Funny Santa Pics

Funny Santa Pics (Photo credit: Scott Clark)

My grandma was soused

I looked right beside her

And there sat her spouse.

Mamma was laying all over the bird

An empty bottle of booze lie in her hand

The stogie she puffed on was lying in ash

In the background was playing the big city bands.

The big man of the house was nowhere to be found

I heard he got pissed and flew  out of sight

Talk was that he tried to steal a cookie or two

So the old lady hit him and turned out his lights.

Dinner’s at six and the table is set

The doorbell is knocking the guests are all here

I open it and say welcome  to all and do come on

I didn’t  know what to do, so I hand them a beer.

Every year my family flips out ore  the day

I don’t know why they continue  this way

Just let it be over, get the meal on the plates

Open the gifts and flip open the gates.

Another day over, the holiday is gone

Take down the tree, turn out the lights

Ma and pa sit with shovels and brooms in each hand

Pushing the snow, and waiting for spring to come into sight.

Terry Shepherd

12/09/2012

 

 

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