Beautiful. Hubby and I are going to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Nashville the day after Christmas, a present from our daughter. That should really be nice.
Wishing you and Mr. AOW a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Debbie Right Truth http://www.righttruth.typepad.com
In the late afternoon today, weather permitting (Forget taking Mr. AOW with his scooter if it sleets or snows), we'll journey to my cousin's house for the family celebration.
A few years ago, after Mr. AOW had a stroke, I passed off to my younger cousin the baton of hosting the annual Christmas Eve Family Buffet and Gift Exchange.
On Christmas Day, we'll go to our neighbors' house for Christmas dinner. Since 1987, when my mother passed away, we have typically had Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner with these neighbors; but this year may be that last such get-together. I've heard a rumor that our neighbors will be moving so as to spend their retirement years closer to their granddaughters. **sigh**
Merry Christmas Mr. and Mrs. AOW! Bit of snow flurries about- maybe we'll see a white Christmas after all? May your days be blessed, Christmas and the rest.
Did you know Turner Classic Movies is showing COME to the STABLE tonight at 10:00 PM EST?
If you're up that ate it's a delightful, gentle, uplifting way to celebrate Christmas eve at home.
Loretta Young and Celeste Holm as two nuns who ave no money but are determined to build a Children's Hospital anyway.
A classic from 1949. I saw it when it first came out at Radio City Music Hall with my parents, and I have never forgotten how delightful it was even though I was only eight years old at the time.
I've always loved Loretta Young.
The Bishop's Wife was on last night. I stopped everything to watch it, and found it more wonderful than ever. The MUSIC is just miraculous.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND TO MR AOW. "JOY TO THE WORLD" REMINDS ME OF MY YOUTH GROWING UP ON THE CAMPUS OF UNIV. SO MISS. IN HATTIESBURY WHERE MY PARENTS TAUGHT. THOSE WERE GREAT DAYS WITH CHRISTMAS CAROLS COMING FROM THE LOUD SPEAKERS ATOP THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. TODAY THOSE SPEAKERS ARE SILENT, BUT FOR ME THE SOUNDS WILL ALWAYS ECHO THROUGH THIS AGE OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS.
WLIL, Mr. AOW and I know too much about having a lonely Christmas!
We had the loneliest and most depressing Christmas Eve of our lives back in 2009, when nobody -- not even family -- could be bothered to have us over or to visit us after he had that terrible stroke in September 2009.
One of these days, when the telling is not too painful, I will write about Christmas Eve 2009 -- the darkest days of my life, I think.
I don't know what to tell you to do to feel less lonely, WLIL.
My words here likely won't help, but I wish you an easing of your loneliness and burdens on this Christmas Day. Good memories of past Christmases may serve only to make this Christmas Day even lonelier, but perhaps you can latch onto ONE happy memory of Christmases gone by -- one happy memory that will cheer you a bit.
I have two such memories: (1) Christmas 1960, when my parents bought me a piano and (2) Christmas 1964, when I went caroling with some friends. Joyous times!
Wildstar, When those flakes first began falling yesterday, I thought that snowfall would interfere with my getting Mr. AOW into the car and off to my cousin's house for the family dinner. Fortunately, the snowfall was one of the conversational type and didn't interfere at all.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you, Wildstar. You know what....I have the feeling that Christmas 2012 is going to be your most joyous Christmas in a long, long time. Let me know if my intuition on that is correct.
@AOW ah well, good thing the snow was light then! Yes, it has been the happiest one in memory, and the day isn't even over yet! Merry Christmas to you as well!
AOW, It is difficult to cheer up when I have to spend Christmas, feeling all alone and being separated from my husband make it worst. However I was glad that I managed to speak to my mom-in-law who is in far away England, UK. I remembered the lovely times I have spending Christsmas with my British husband in UK, and I look forward to a reunion with him, in the near future. Hope you and Mr AOW have a Happy Christmas this year. Anyway, thanks for your advice and for sharing your Christmas experiences with me. WLIL
WLIL, I find both Christmas melancholy ever since both of my parents passed away (Mom in 1987 and Dad in 1998). I feel their absence every year. I miss them!
I know that losing one's parents is part of the cycle of life. But when one has a close relationship such as the kind that my parents and I had, knowing that losing them is part of life isn't comforting.
Still, yesterday Mr. AOW and I had as good a Christmas Day as we've had since he had a stroke in 2009. I credit the recent therapy that Mr. AOW got from August through November of this year. He can actually take several steps now, and what a wonderful difference being able to take those steps makes! Although he does mostly use his scooter for ambulation, he is now able to walk to a dining-table and sit in a chair for the meal: "like a real person," as he says. His endurance level is better now, too, so we staying late at our neighbors' house and enjoyed the post-dinner dessert party.
One of the high points of the evening was playing the piano duet "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" with my former piano student Susan; she is now 40 years old and had three children of her own. But when we sat down to that piano bench and played the piece quite adequately after not practicing together for nearly 20 years, those moments made a happy memory for this year. The little audience gathered was impressed. But I do wish that Mom and Dad had been there to hear Susan and me "attack" that duet -- as she and I used to do every year all those years ago.
AOW, I was unable to post a reply to your website just now due to some internet connection problem. Anyway, I hope I can post s short reply to you now.
It was interesting reading about your husband recovery from stroke. I hope he improves further.
As for me, I just hope that I will be able to patch up with my husband soon, and that both of us will be able to recover from the trauma of our separation, wherever he is, and have a good Christmas with him next year and experience the real spirit and real joy of Christmas again.
I just hate the idea of spending Christmas Day out of no choice in a predominantly asian and islamic country, where everthing is so fake and artificial.
Hope you and Mr AOW have a better New Year too. WLIL
We welcome civil dialogue at Always on Watch. Comments that include any of the following are subject to deletion: 1. Any use of profanity or abusive language 2. Off topic comments and spam 3. Use of personal invective
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.
Feliz Noche Buena y Feliz Navidad!
ReplyDeleteMay you and Mr AoW enjoy a Blessed Christmas Eve Day/Night.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a blessed and merry Christmas, AOW
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Hubby and I are going to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Nashville the day after Christmas, a present from our daughter. That should really be nice.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and Mr. AOW a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Debbie
Right Truth
http://www.righttruth.typepad.com
In the late afternoon today, weather permitting (Forget taking Mr. AOW with his scooter if it sleets or snows), we'll journey to my cousin's house for the family celebration.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, after Mr. AOW had a stroke, I passed off to my younger cousin the baton of hosting the annual Christmas Eve Family Buffet and Gift Exchange.
On Christmas Day, we'll go to our neighbors' house for Christmas dinner. Since 1987, when my mother passed away, we have typically had Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner with these neighbors; but this year may be that last such get-together. I've heard a rumor that our neighbors will be moving so as to spend their retirement years closer to their granddaughters. **sigh**
Merry Christmas Mr. and Mrs.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas AOW!
ReplyDeleteLooks like we may get rain here in South Carolina but no snow :(
Merry Christmas to all your readers too!
Merry Christmas, AOW. Have a safe & happy holiday!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Mr. and Mrs. AOW! Bit of snow flurries about- maybe we'll see a white Christmas after all? May your days be blessed, Christmas and the rest.
ReplyDelete-Wildstar
AOW,
ReplyDeleteMy family and I send our best wishes to you and yours for a very Merry and Blessed Christmas !
Did you know Turner Classic Movies is showing COME to the STABLE tonight at 10:00 PM EST?
ReplyDeleteIf you're up that ate it's a delightful, gentle, uplifting way to celebrate Christmas eve at home.
Loretta Young and Celeste Holm as two nuns who ave no money but are determined to build a Children's Hospital anyway.
A classic from 1949. I saw it when it first came out at Radio City Music Hall with my parents, and I have never forgotten how delightful it was even though I was only eight years old at the time.
I've always loved Loretta Young.
The Bishop's Wife was on last night. I stopped everything to watch it, and found it more wonderful than ever. The MUSIC is just miraculous.
Wildstar, I think you especially would appreciate Come to the Stable. I hope you will be able to watch it.
ReplyDeleteMay the Peace and Blessings of Christmas come to you now and throughout the New Year.
~ FT
Merry Christmas Mr & Mrs AOW and all of your kitties too!
ReplyDeleteMerry christmas to everyone here at AOW. As for me, unfortunately due to certain circumstances, I am having a lonely Christmas day. WLIL
ReplyDeleteMERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND TO MR AOW. "JOY TO THE WORLD" REMINDS ME OF MY YOUTH GROWING UP ON THE CAMPUS OF UNIV. SO MISS. IN HATTIESBURY WHERE MY PARENTS TAUGHT. THOSE WERE GREAT DAYS WITH CHRISTMAS CAROLS COMING FROM THE LOUD SPEAKERS ATOP THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. TODAY THOSE SPEAKERS ARE SILENT, BUT FOR ME THE SOUNDS WILL ALWAYS ECHO THROUGH THIS AGE OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS.
ReplyDeleteWLIL,
ReplyDeleteMr. AOW and I know too much about having a lonely Christmas!
We had the loneliest and most depressing Christmas Eve of our lives back in 2009, when nobody -- not even family -- could be bothered to have us over or to visit us after he had that terrible stroke in September 2009.
One of these days, when the telling is not too painful, I will write about Christmas Eve 2009 -- the darkest days of my life, I think.
I don't know what to tell you to do to feel less lonely, WLIL.
My words here likely won't help, but I wish you an easing of your loneliness and burdens on this Christmas Day. Good memories of past Christmases may serve only to make this Christmas Day even lonelier, but perhaps you can latch onto ONE happy memory of Christmases gone by -- one happy memory that will cheer you a bit.
I have two such memories: (1) Christmas 1960, when my parents bought me a piano and (2) Christmas 1964, when I went caroling with some friends. Joyous times!
Wildstar,
ReplyDeleteWhen those flakes first began falling yesterday, I thought that snowfall would interfere with my getting Mr. AOW into the car and off to my cousin's house for the family dinner. Fortunately, the snowfall was one of the conversational type and didn't interfere at all.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you, Wildstar. You know what....I have the feeling that Christmas 2012 is going to be your most joyous Christmas in a long, long time. Let me know if my intuition on that is correct.
@AOW ah well, good thing the snow was light then!
ReplyDeleteYes, it has been the happiest one in memory, and the day isn't even over yet! Merry Christmas to you as well!
-Wildstar
AOW,
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to cheer up when I have to spend Christmas, feeling all alone and being separated from my husband make it worst. However I was glad that I managed to speak to my mom-in-law who is in far away England, UK. I remembered the lovely times I have spending Christsmas with my British husband in UK, and I look forward to a reunion with him, in the near future. Hope you and Mr AOW have a Happy Christmas this year. Anyway, thanks for your advice and for sharing your Christmas experiences with me.
WLIL
WLIL,
ReplyDeleteI find both Christmas melancholy ever since both of my parents passed away (Mom in 1987 and Dad in 1998). I feel their absence every year. I miss them!
I know that losing one's parents is part of the cycle of life. But when one has a close relationship such as the kind that my parents and I had, knowing that losing them is part of life isn't comforting.
Still, yesterday Mr. AOW and I had as good a Christmas Day as we've had since he had a stroke in 2009. I credit the recent therapy that Mr. AOW got from August through November of this year. He can actually take several steps now, and what a wonderful difference being able to take those steps makes! Although he does mostly use his scooter for ambulation, he is now able to walk to a dining-table and sit in a chair for the meal: "like a real person," as he says. His endurance level is better now, too, so we staying late at our neighbors' house and enjoyed the post-dinner dessert party.
One of the high points of the evening was playing the piano duet "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" with my former piano student Susan; she is now 40 years old and had three children of her own. But when we sat down to that piano bench and played the piece quite adequately after not practicing together for nearly 20 years, those moments made a happy memory for this year. The little audience gathered was impressed. But I do wish that Mom and Dad had been there to hear Susan and me "attack" that duet -- as she and I used to do every year all those years ago.
AOW,
ReplyDeleteI was unable to post a reply to your website just now due to some internet connection problem.
Anyway, I hope I can post s short reply to you now.
It was interesting reading about your husband recovery from stroke. I hope he improves further.
As for me, I just hope that I will be able to patch up with my husband soon, and that both of us will be able to recover from the trauma of our separation, wherever he is, and have a good Christmas with him next year and experience the real spirit and real joy of Christmas again.
I just hate the idea of spending Christmas Day out of no choice in a predominantly asian and islamic country, where everthing is so fake and artificial.
Hope you and Mr AOW have a better New Year too.
WLIL
WLIL,
ReplyDeleteYes, you must have had a dismal Christmas Day this year.
Life is filled with sad times. Holidays serve to make the sad times even worse.
May the new year bring a reconciliation with your husband. That would go a long way to making life better again.