Nieces

We laughed,

laughed some more

and evidence of the little nibbler

we were often laughing at!

Oh, what a nice day!

Still Giving Thanks, November Eleventh

That is my father, on
the right.
To his right is
one of several people
that Grandma provided
a home for, besides of
her own children.

I'm so thankful for
those men and
women who served
and are serving.

An Unknown Hero(ine)

Have you ever had an appreciation for someone you did not know?  I just though of one and I thought I would blog a bit.

I had an Uncle who became a quadriplegic while still an athletic high school student.  Polio was the cause of his paralysis.  This is not about him.  I knew him. 

Uncle used to sit outside in his wheel chair, often listening to the game on a transistor radio.  He had a good view of the road and those passing by could see my uncle.

There was a woman who drove by regularly.  She had a small car or a sun roof, I don't remember which.  This is important, as you will see. 

 In our part of the country the real natives did not broadcast their actions.  This extended to the greeting they gave from behind the wheel of a car.  A finger or two lifted from the steering wheel and a corresponding lift of the chin were considered quite a grand enough gesture.  I still see that among the real, unmixed native peoples.  Though I have lived among them well over 30 years, I am not a native. 

So, back to this lady.  Each time she drove past and saw my young uncle sitting in the yard, she would throw her whole arm skyward in greeting.  Was this important to my uncle?  Was this important to her?  I have no idea.  I just know that I still remember a person who probably stepped out of her comfort zone to brighten some one's day.  I never knew who she was.  To me, she is an unknown hero.

Remembering

My mother liked these ornaments.

Even though this will be our
fourth Christmas without her
physical presence

my sister and father made
it feel like Mom's tree.