The Best Christmas Party

Back in the day when Mama was suffering with a malignant brain tumor, we’d travel down the state to see her.  Sometimes her friend, Ruth Gentle, would stop by to take her for a ride. I wondered why she would leave us and go with her friend. She seemed to like to visit with her sister too and other older people in town. We’re your kids. We traveled all this way to spend time with you. Cute grandkids and all.

DeRay, Jeanette, Brent, Jeanne, Mama, Uncle Ed 1966

Grandma teaching Jeanne to make pies.

Jeanne, Brooke, Jeanette, Brent, Hugh; Amy Esplin (Grandma) Thanksgiving 1972 Orderville

Finally after more than 40 years, I’m beginning to understand.

Now that I’m in somewhat the same situation.

There is a great deal of comfort being in the company of your contemporaries.

Someone in the same generation.

Lynn 85; Juanita 81, Jeanette 81, Verla 71, Carol 76.

Someone who takes as many pills as you and has as many issues or more; someone who can’t see as well, or hear as well, or have as much energy as in youthful days of yore.

 Ed, Carol, DeRay

It’s not all sad and depressing.

Lynn & Verla

In a way, it’s celebratory. Especially at Christmastime. We are survivors. We have lived long, abundant lives. 
We love each other and our families.

Verla, Lynn, Juanita, Jeanette, DeRay 83.

Let’s contemplate, commiserate, and collaborate, we of the same generation.  

The Best Treatise Ever on the Joys and Meaning of Christmas

Christmas 2017
by Ed

“My favorite holiday is here. I’ve waited all year for it.

Now that it is here, I want to enjoy it.”

“I wonder if Aunt Carol and Melissa made it home.”

“Yes, they called. They had a perilous drive home. Icy roads all the way,” says I.

“I sure enjoyed them last night. They were good company.”

“Rise and shine.”

“I’ve waited all year and we’ve got to enjoy it.”

“Now that it has come, we have to enjoy it.”

“And by the way, Merry Christmas.”

“Jesus was born on this day, Mom.

We’ve been to Bethlehem.”

“I love Heavenly Father and Jesus

And they love me.”

“I’m grateful for you, Mom.”

“Is Dad coming down?” asks I.

“The one I love dearly.

And I love his sisters, Mom.”

 “Well, Amy’s missing out.

I can’t believe Amy’s missing out.

It’s not the same without her.”

Sunset on Christmas night 

Hate to break it to you but Santa's dead. 
At least until next year.

Bawl and Blow

Both emotionally and physically,

I may be allergic

to

Anastrozole

the hormone inhibiting drug.

When I take it,

all I feel like doing

is bawling;

And I blow my nose

every two seconds.

Kerr CHEW!

Intrusive

A friend sent this to me.

Beautiful.

I have found that 
on some level,

in the beginning at least,

it can impact all of these

except

Steal Eternal Life.

Achingly Beautiful

The Neighborhood

during an inversion,

freezing temperatures and fog.

 "I just about like pictures of the neighborhood best,"

Amy writes on Facebook.

"Thank you vacant lots and open wild places."

 Why don't I see the delicate detail

and amazing artistry

until Amy takes a picture?