211209 Sentinel, A Christmas Long Ago

I just found this picture today, it's one I enjoy remembering.

This was taken in 1987 when we first came back to Missouri from sunny California.

Christmas is a special time of year and this picture was taken at a time when we were short of funds for a big Christmas. We were strapped for cash and all we cound afford was some Christmas lights to display. The picture is me, Joyce and our daughter Annie after we made this best ever snowman, 37 years ago.

Christmas isn't always about the good times, but also those less, much less than best. That same Christmas the power went out for a whole day. Joyce heated a large canning pot with filled with water on our gas stove and then put it under the kitchen table so we could put our feet next to it and warm them while we payed cards during the daytime hours. We walked through the snow over to a convience store and bought some candles for that night. When family is near, that's all a person needs to enjoy themselves.

As the song says, "Christmas is love." Even when family has past away and gone we still have memories of better days. "Relish what we have and not bemoan what we no longer have." You may quote me on that.