As some of you know, my father was diagnosed with cancer a couple of months ago. He has his good days and not so good days, and this year he felt especially bad that he couldn't help with decorating the tree or the shopping for mom and others.
Today I got gifts for my parents. I was in a bookstore and as soon as I arrived I felt as though a thousand pounds was sitting on my shoulders. My gift for them were books, inspirational ones about dealing with the big C and travel books, since it is my dad's hope that they can take the RV out West this coming summer. Getting these as gifts meant facing what none of us want to face. Still, it was the best purchase I have made in a long time.
This year is strange, what my mom calls 'the new normal'. A Christmas Eve tradition for us is to go to Beef O'Bradys, yes, the same as the drunk uncle of all Bowls in St Pete, eat some wings, drink some beer, listen to my mom voice her concerns about making sure that everything is ready and my dad and I comparing notes on the upcoming Bowl week and NFL. We hardly ever agree, by the way. He plays favorites and I play dogs. If we agree on a game we usually go with it.
Tonight they want to be alone and that is ok. This year I am not with the next Mrs. fla so Santa Dog arrives for my Jack Russell when the Hawaii Bowl starts. Tomorrow I spend with them, but let's just say the activities are scaled back this year.
Which brings me to the point. I have not looked forward to today or tomorrow since I have known about this. It's just not the same, right? Well, that is so wrong. Life happens. I have a feeling that this is the Christmas that I will remember long after many others have been forgotten.
Christmas is about being selfless and being there for the ones you love. It's about being strong. Christmas is in the heart and in the mind and this will be the best one ever. Because it needs to be for the man who mostly plays favorites.
:toast:
Sometimes I feel like crying when listening to certain Christmas songs this year. That's ok, too. It's all a part of is what is making this one so special.
I'll be around for the game tonight if a thread wants to be started. It should be interesting how well I am able to type by 9 or 10. But for all of you, thank you for having me in the degenerate club that we call madjacksports and nothing but the best for you and the ones you love.
:0074
Today I got gifts for my parents. I was in a bookstore and as soon as I arrived I felt as though a thousand pounds was sitting on my shoulders. My gift for them were books, inspirational ones about dealing with the big C and travel books, since it is my dad's hope that they can take the RV out West this coming summer. Getting these as gifts meant facing what none of us want to face. Still, it was the best purchase I have made in a long time.
This year is strange, what my mom calls 'the new normal'. A Christmas Eve tradition for us is to go to Beef O'Bradys, yes, the same as the drunk uncle of all Bowls in St Pete, eat some wings, drink some beer, listen to my mom voice her concerns about making sure that everything is ready and my dad and I comparing notes on the upcoming Bowl week and NFL. We hardly ever agree, by the way. He plays favorites and I play dogs. If we agree on a game we usually go with it.
Tonight they want to be alone and that is ok. This year I am not with the next Mrs. fla so Santa Dog arrives for my Jack Russell when the Hawaii Bowl starts. Tomorrow I spend with them, but let's just say the activities are scaled back this year.
Which brings me to the point. I have not looked forward to today or tomorrow since I have known about this. It's just not the same, right? Well, that is so wrong. Life happens. I have a feeling that this is the Christmas that I will remember long after many others have been forgotten.
Christmas is about being selfless and being there for the ones you love. It's about being strong. Christmas is in the heart and in the mind and this will be the best one ever. Because it needs to be for the man who mostly plays favorites.
:toast:
Sometimes I feel like crying when listening to certain Christmas songs this year. That's ok, too. It's all a part of is what is making this one so special.
I'll be around for the game tonight if a thread wants to be started. It should be interesting how well I am able to type by 9 or 10. But for all of you, thank you for having me in the degenerate club that we call madjacksports and nothing but the best for you and the ones you love.
:0074
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