Holiday Memories

For as long as I can remember my godmother, F, has been spending the Christmas holiday with my family. She was my mother's best friend starting in either junior high school or perhaps the first year of high school. She is a wonderful woman. She is strong and capable. She never married even though she was not without proposals as a young woman. She had her mother to think of and remained with her mother; caring for her until her death in the early 80's. It has been since that time that F has spent the holidays with my family. I would often go with my father to pick her up in Boston. These trips would sometimes include stops at my Aunt's home on Anawan Ave to deliver goodies, plants or gifts. After picking up F, we sometimes would stop for lunch or Dunkin Donuts on the way home. In the early years D&D's was a standard stop as we didn't have any locally. It was always such a joy to have her come and spend time in our home. She was always generous with her gifts and time.

The last memory she has of my Mum is waving to her as Mum watched Dad and F drive away for the trip back to Boston.. When Mum passed F was in Florida. I'm glad she was in Florida. It would have been too hard for her to go through saying goodbye. Funny how things happen for a reason. Anyway after Mum's death 8 years ago I wondered what would happen to our tradition.

Well she decided to continue spending time with us in my home each Christmas. I am so blessed to have her in my life. My children enjoy her company and are thrilled when she visits, especially, 'n'. I was privileged to listen to several conversations between 'n' and F over the holidays this year. Their conversations were so special; almost magical in nature. To watch an 8 year old and a 77 year old sit and talk about anything and everything was quite touching. Simply writing about it brings tears to my eyes. It made me appreciate F, but in the same moment these experiences made me miss my Mum and Mother in law so very much. They would have so enjoyed my children. I know that they are watching over us and that their spirits are often close, but even with this knowing I still yearn for them to be here in our physical world.