Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Christmas Past And Present



Life goes on... 

even when it surprises you at how normal everything is despite your whole world changing.

I'm determined to get a Christmas post on here, so I'm posting some photos from years past.

I love these small green trees. You can find them at Trader Joe's at Christmas time each year.


My dad's A's hat from February1994, the year he died. Wild Bill and I became a couple a year later so they never had a chance to meet. 

 I hope Bill and Dad have had a chance to meet in Heaven, along with the little granddaughter we never got a chance to meet and my old dog Ginger I lost in 1991.


With the little ones around our Middle daughter's house, we see a lot of Smarty (the Elf-On-A-Shelf) instead of the old Santa's I usually like to display. 

 Maybe next year I'll decorate...this year I'm just hoping for a white Christmas still.



May your Christmas be merry this year and

Thanks For Dropping By!

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23 comments:

  1. LL Cool JoeDecember 24, 2019 at 4:52 PM

    Lovely to see you. I love your Dad's cap, and that you kept it.

    I hope you have a peaceful Christmas.

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  2. Cheryl KimbleyDecember 24, 2019 at 6:17 PM

    I have been thinking of you. My husband never got to meet my Dad either. We met a year after Daddy passed. I am sure they are gabbing it up in heaven! They were so much alike - I am sure Daddy sent me Glen.
    You do whatever you need to. There are no rules - we just go one day at a time and that is ok.
    God bless you sweetie! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At Rivercrest CottageDecember 24, 2019 at 10:48 PM

      Cheryl, we seem to share similarities often. I only hope I have what it takes to get through it. I appreciate your words of encouragement. It's only been 21 days, but then seems so long ago.

      Delete
  3. La Vie QuotidienneDecember 24, 2019 at 7:58 PM

    So glad to see your post, I have been thinking about you. I know how you feel, everything in the world seems to go on and in your heart everything feels so broken. I hope that your family will be surrounding you with lots of love over the holidays. Take care.
    Adrienne

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    Replies
    1. At Rivercrest CottageDecember 26, 2019 at 6:50 AM

      Andrienne, "broken" is the perfect word for it. Mendable in the future, but just not working well right now. Thank you for all your kind comments throughout the year.

      Delete
  4. PatDecember 24, 2019 at 8:58 PM

    Rivercrest Cottage,
    This Christmas may you hold the memories of such a great love close to your heart. May the joy of Christ's birth fill you God's love as He comforts you and gives you His peace.
    I look forward to seeing you decorate for Christmas in 2020. . .
    until then, my friend, wishing you a Merry Christmas.
    Pat

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  5. riitta kDecember 24, 2019 at 9:50 PM

    Christmas is the time when all memories come to mind. Wishing you Merry Christmas with your beloved ones.

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  6. Kim December 25, 2019 at 8:34 AM

    Wishing you a peaceful holiday with your family and memories that bring you comfort.

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  7. JunkchiccottageDecember 25, 2019 at 1:09 PM

    The first holidays after a great loss is always hard. Wishing you a wonderful and hopefully peaceful day. May your memories of the past Christmas's be heart filling for you.
    Merry Christmas.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  8. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasDecember 27, 2019 at 7:58 AM

    I am so very sorry that I missed the post about Bill's passing and I am so sorry for this tremendous loss...My heart aches for you..I hope you had a Christmas full of wonderful memories that made you smile when you thought of Bill...I hope you will continue to post and will let us know how you are doing... Thanks for taking the time to visit! I so appreciate it! Sending many hugs to you!!
    Deb

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  9. Susan HeatherDecember 28, 2019 at 1:09 AM

    So sorry to read about Wild Bill. Thank you for commenting on my blog. It must have been in October that I accidentally deleted all the blogs I follow. I have been thinking of you a lot this month but just could not remember the name of your blog. I was thinking of you this afternoon and came inside and found you had commented.

    How sad that just as you were starting life in a new area you should lose the love of your life. It must be really hard. For me it was different as I lost Max gradually and had fully lost him long well before he died.

    You are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs from New Zealand.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At Rivercrest CottageDecember 30, 2019 at 5:46 AM

      Susan, losing someone slowly like you lost Max is the hardest I think. I am determined to spread the word to others in terminal conditions that there are angels out there in the form of palliative and hospice nurses and doctors, aids, etc. If Bill and I had only known clearly that we didn't have to have his "doctor's permission" to consult with such an organization, we would have had a clearer understanding of the dying process. I can only thank the hospice services from the bottom of my heart.

      Delete
  10. JeanieDecember 28, 2019 at 7:14 AM

    I like to think your Dad and Wild Bill are celebrating big in Heaven. This has to be such a hard holiday right now. In time I think perhaps it will be easier, but it will always be a bit bittersweet. That's what love does to a person, makes the loss all the harder. Neither of my parents ever met Rick and I think in some ways that makes me miss them both more. My hope for you in the new year is that bit by bit your heart will heal, that each day won't be quite so hard, and the memories that remain are the ones that give you joy.

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  11. handmade by amaliaDecember 29, 2019 at 12:18 AM

    This time of year must be so difficult, my friend. I'm thinking of you and sending a big strong hug.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  12. Katie MansfieldDecember 29, 2019 at 5:40 PM

    I know that Bill and your dad and that sweet grandbaby are joined together. I love Jeanne's comment. I hope and pray that as well. When I lost my parents, people talked about the new normal. I liked the old normal and never asked for a new one. Praying for you. Hugs to you!

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  13. BrendaDecember 30, 2019 at 6:28 AM

    Prayers for 2020.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nellie's Cozy PlaceDecember 30, 2019 at 10:04 AM

    Hi...Wanted to leave my comments on your visit to
    my blog.

    Dear Rivercrest Cottage,

    I so appreciate your sweet and encouraging comments. So thankful that you read something
    that gave you perspective and hopefully helped. That is one of the reason I do it every
    week, because I myself need perspective all the time!!
    Also thanks for your service to our country.

    Thank You for taking the time to come by and to leave your kind comments.
    Hope that 2020 will be a Very Good Year for you and yours.

    Blessings, Nellie

    ReplyDelete
  15. Henny PennyDecember 30, 2019 at 12:24 PM

    You did a good Christmas post. I thought about you often during Christmas. Will be thinking about you for the new year too. Wish you lots of happiness in 2020! Love, Henny

    ReplyDelete
  16. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasJanuary 1, 2020 at 7:06 AM

    Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Wishing you Happy New Year.....
    Hugs,
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  17. mamasmercantileJanuary 2, 2020 at 9:58 AM

    I am so sorry for your loss, you have been in my prayers often in spite of my absence from blogland. Sending you gentle hugs in the hope it will help, take care.

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  18. Granny SueJanuary 4, 2020 at 10:30 AM

    Loved this post. Sweet, poignant, and full of memories. Wishing you a peaceful new year, my friend.

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  19. Far Side of FiftyJanuary 9, 2020 at 4:02 PM

    It must have been a hard Christmas for you. Be kind to yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jean | DelightfulRepast.comJanuary 15, 2020 at 9:01 AM

    I was so happy to find this post when I looked for you today. Those "firsts" after such a loss are so difficult, and there are more to come. I was encouraged by your response to Adrienne: "'Broken' is the perfect word for it. Mendable in the future, but just not working well right now." May you mend a little more each day.

    ReplyDelete

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