My Nephew

If there is one thing I hold very close to my heart, it’s my family.  I have always been very proud of my entire family, even the in-laws (they are great too, contrary to what popular humor of the past would have you believe.)

My youngest nephew, Houston, at the ripe age of 7 (almost 8), is quite the sharp guy.  Whenever we can, we try to buy him a board game that is appropriate for his age.  One to stimulate his mind and have fun all at the same time.  Games like Operation, Candy Land, and Monopoly Junior.  This Christmas Day, we bought him Battleship.  I think we can call ourselves proud Uncles for the fact that on only the second playing of the game, he won the game very handily.

This guy is a bright fellow, and I am pretty certain he is going to go far in life.  Yes, I am making this assumption based on the result of a board game, but I have known this child for a long time, and mark my words, I think he is going to do wonderful things when he grows older.

I just wanted to be proud and boast about that fact.

Christmas Reflections

Now that it is Christmas Morning, I find myself reflecting.  I look back on Christmases past and think of all the fond and happy memories that I treasure.  But I also look back on the two Christmases that were not so good to me.  I’m not going to become emotional or upset.  I’ve had many years to process the events of 2001 and 2002. I still find myself thinking about my Dad and my Great Grandmother.  If they were here, they would probably tell me just to suck it up and try to find something to smile about because I’d be wasting my time feeling all sorry for myself.   Funny thing is, they’d be absolutely right.  So, I won’t feel that way.  Not in the slightest.  I’ll treasure my memories of them both and celebrate this awesome holiday and enjoy my time with my family.  Everyone should do that if they’re able.  If you’re stuck working, at least call, send a message, talk to someone and at least try to make it something that will make you feel good inside.  Because you never know when someone else will feel better for just that little contact to brighten what otherwise would have been a dark day for them.