Thursday, December 24, 2015

My gifts this year....



This year my favorite gifts didn't come from a store. They were not hand made crafts. These were gifts that last. Gifts from two of the most important women in my life. Joyce, my mother in law, and Wesley, my daughter. 

It has been so great having Wesley home. Today we cooked the most incredible meal together. We made a vegan Indian feast that would rival any restaurant around here. We cooked all day and had a lovely dinner then opened gifts Gerry's dad sent home with us. Just having her home and seeing her laugh and eat and enjoy the excitement of Christmas is all I could ask for. 

Wesley received a journal that Joyce had completed in 2002, a journal that I had given her in 1999 for her birthday. It was a prompt journal that helped tell a story of a mother's life. It took her three years to complete and it has been saved for Wesley all these years. It is full of wisdom and happiness and stories of her childhood. It is a treasure! What I would give to have something like that from my grandmother. 


We went to visit Joyce in the nursing home this week. She is physically pretty healthy, all things considered, but her mental state is not good. Her sentences are mostly babble, but every now and then she comes in to focus and says something that amazes us all. You can see her in there behind those beautiful kind eyes. I could just sit and stare at her all day. I feel her wisdom and her kindness even if she can't communicate with us. You just feel her pure energy when you are with her.

Yesterday, she looked at me and said, "that's Tracey". Yes, I cried. That was a gift like no other!
This woman is so very dear to me. I just love her.


The was a selfie I took of the two of us when she was still at home. We were laughing so hard, this was the best shot I got. I took care of her that week while Gerry's dad was in the hospital and I had such a great time being with her. I miss her so much.


Gerry's dad is with her every day.  He misses his wife. It takes its toll.... he has known her since they were in first grade and loves her with a very fierce love.  The preacher and his wife.  You can see she still loves him and she reaches out to touch him, just to make sure he is there.... he is.


Gerry and I have had a difficult year, but we have had a lot of fun too.
He's been my best friend since I was 19 years old. Thick and thin, good times and bad.
We have had a lot of great Christmas mornings.
My gifts are many, my heart is full.

Merry Christmas ya'll
xo

5 comments:

Laurie said...

Merry Christmas, Tracey!

Dennis Allen said...

Merry Christmas and whatever else you celebrate too.

Tracey Broome said...

Merry Christmas to the both of you as well
Xo

Michèle Hastings said...

Wonderful post, full of love.
I still have a connection with my daughter's grandmother. Even though her Dad and I divorced, I love and appreciate her so much. Thankfully she is still young (ish) and vibrant. Sometimes mother-in-laws are wonderful thing.

Shannon said...

Merry Christmas, indeed! thanks for the heart-warming words and story. Happiness in the new year to you and your loved ones!