Buying gifts for my Dad is challenging, when asked what he wants the answer is usually “It’s not necessary to get me a gift” or “I don’t need a thing.” This Christmas was no exception. The only thing my Dad could come up with was t-shirts, but oh, by the way “Your sister already took that idea.” Drat!

Each year since my son was two, I have hung a hand made, advent tree for my children to enjoy, which has evolved over the years to the most current one……still tucked away. Reluctantly, last year I decided it would be the final showing for the long standing tradition. It was a sad, but overdue decision; my kids were growing up.

There are no expectations, other than spending a day with loved ones, enjoying good food, along with familiar family traditions. Like the tradition of peeling and cooking potatoes with my brothers. Funny as it seems, it’s something we look forward to each Thanksgiving. We laugh and joke while peeling a mile high, pile of spuds, that eventually turn into the most delicious mashed potatoes extraordinaire……that we are quite famous for. No matter how many we prepare, there are rarely leftovers.

A group of friends gather together every year or so to celebrate with dinner and wine, highlighting a wine’s specific region, country or state; the host’s choice. This year’s hosts decided upon the state of Washington, U.S.A. Each couple was responsible for a course and a Washington wine that paired well with the food.

He helped shape me into the woman I am today, and taught me unconditional love, humility, bravery and how to love deeper. Even though I miss the days he was a mama’s boy, I take pride in the independent man he has become.mom

My sister was recently in town for an extended period, and hadn’t spent that much time at home in many years.  She stayed at my parents home, but I usually saw her everyday. We had a few unplanned adventures that reminded me of our younger selves, growing up on the farm.

The start of her senior year, she was pumped to kick off her final season, and as usual trained hard all summer preparing for pre-season training. I was excited and yet sad this would be her last year. I spent many hours watching my children play soccer, and wondered what would ever take its place.

As a farm girl, having an abundance of sweet corn was a definite advantage.  Dad let us kids sell the plentiful corn, and what we made in sales was ours to keep.  His only condition was we had to do the work. From painting the signs on big scraps of plywood and strategically placing them down the road, making sure they were visible from both directions, to gathering the bags, setting up the stand, picking the corn (the ripe ones, of course) and loading up the #80 wagon and hauling it with the John Deere 110.

I jump on, and my brother says with great confidence, “It works just like a Haybine.” Ummmm…..as I think to myself….I don’t really recall ever running a Haybine in my farm days, but OK. He gives me a quick run down and let’s me go.  Still unsure, I grab the bars and start manipulating them and it begins turning in circles in a twerky, jerky, out of control way.  By now, I am laughing out loud and my brother is keeping me an arms length away at all times, assuring his safety.

Last week an important person in my family’s life had unexpected health issues that stopped us in our tracks.  In that moment, nothing was more important than being together.  Everything else melted away…troubles, responsibilities and day to day duties. Family and friends came together to lift up and support one another.

I can’t remember next if she called me or I called her, but she made it into town, but had almost hit a cat that ran out in front of her car. She had to slam on her brakes to avoid running over the feline, and began telling me about her story.

Family traditions connect us to our loved ones near and far, and can last for years and even generations.  They build bonds and can cross miles and time zones. Traditions may come and go, but the memories remain in our hearts.

My Mom wasn’t the picture you might imagine for a farmer’s wife, she always seemed so glamorous and beautiful to me.  She was a lady through and through, and it was important that her children were well-mannered and polite.  Going to church every Sunday was a must, no questions, no complaining…..it was a given.  We knew, even though Dad handled most of the discipline, it was under Mom’s direct order.

As a young farm girl I have wonderful memories of being around the animals.  One of my favorite memories was the daily ritual of climbing on the long, silver, metal gate that separated the green pasture from the barnyard.  As my Dad herded the livestock back to the barn at the end of each evening, he would swing that gate closed, signifying the end of another work day; but to me it was the greatest ride in the world.d

She has always been the kind of girl that knows exactly what she wants, and won’t stop until she gets it (perhaps a little like a bull).  She is tenacious and driven, with a good head on her shoulders.  Throughout high-school her friends would be in a situation and would think WWHD (what would Hannah do), I always got a big kick out of that one.

Did you ever notice the older you get the faster time seems to fly, almost like you were standing still? Some days I feel like life is passing me by, and it’s as if I am watching from the sidelines and can’t make it stop.   That’s when I have to pause, take stock, and remember to live in the present; not the past or the future.  I have to remind myself to stop rushing into tomorrow.

I admire those that serve(d) in all the armed forces and sacrifice(d) themselves every day to keep our soil safe.  I  feel gratitude and appreciation for the families and loved ones of those men and women that serve(d).  Thank you for your faith, courage and strength.

As it turns out they were celebrating ME! Yep……ME! My friends and family were so excited that I was sharing my gift and starting this blog, they wanted to show their grace, love and support by coming together to present me with money for a new computer (which had recently died).  You can’t imagine my surprise and shock in the events that took place in orchestrating such an act of love and kindness for me, including those special souls that weren’t able to join the celebration in person.