[Alffe]

Gift Of Love

Mom, I know Christmas will be hard for all of you, but if you look you'll find the gift I left behind. "It's the gift of love."

Carry it on your shoulder instead of a chip. Carry it in your heart instead of hate. Hold the love I left behind in your hand instead of a fist full of anger.

These are gifts, Mom, that weren't buried with me, these are yours to keep forever. Love is too precious to wrap and contain in a package. My gfft of love can be apart of you all forever.

Try to remember in your day-to-day walk what you taught me when I was alive. You taught me to forgive. Remember this when you hear the unkind comments made about me. These words are not hurting me and you don't have to defend me in my death as we are past all these things now.

For now, Mom choose life, keep the family together, try to find peace and love within yourself so you can give it to others, try to find something to be thankful for everyday so you can regain your confidence in living. Try to keep your priorities straight - God, family, and love are the most important gifts we have.

Remember when I was a little boy and we raced and you let me win?

That's all that really has happened, but I know that you are all close behind and when your race is over we'll all be a family again in heaven.

Merry Christmas Mom, Dad, family and friends.

Your son

***********************

[Alffe]

I found this in an old Compassionate Friends Newletter from 2002 (I'm still going through and throwing out "stuff".)

Made squash rolls for Christmas dinner and they are rising...freeze great. One of our grandaughters loves rolls and ask me on Thanksg. if they were home made...then wanted the recipe! Which tickled me because she is only 15 and while she was copying the recipe she said, "What is yeast?", echoed by her mother saying, yeah, what is yeast. Oh my! *grin

So nice to see Doody in here to help Tom. Thank you my friend. Ducky you are awfully quiet...

[Addy]

Alffe... gosh, thanks so much for "The Gift of Love".

I am very grateful that you take the time to share the newsletter with us... I know you get just as much out of it as we do...

We've come a long way, baby!

I seem to be saying that a lot lately. Thank God for the healthy head space I'm in right now. Physically, I still have some major decisions and will power to muster up and get my butt out the door to exercise. (So... Doodysis, in that other thread mentioning my energy... made me smile... I do feel my energy growing) ...

ok... so instead of taking baby steps... when it comes to my physical, why can't I muster up the giant steps!?

I think I would love to have your Squash roll recipe... ! and imagine not knowing what yeast is?!! Well, there's no time like the present to learn! Enjoy sharing your traditions and creating memories Alffe!

Barbo- its comforting to me to know that you're here

[Doody]

That's a beautiful piece from your Compassionate Friends news!

And you're welcome Ms. Alffe.

[Doody]

Originally Posted by Alffe

...Made squash rolls for Christmas dinner and they are rising...

Which reminds me, I was just talking to my massage therapist about the YUMMY chili she shared with me several weeks ago. I reminded her that I want the recipe. It's squash chili!

[Alffe]

Squash chili! Maybe we need a recipe thread. I love white chili but never heard of squash chili...wonder if it's made with baby food squash like the rolls.

[barbo]

It's snowing like a winter wonderland out there! Just beautiful.

[Addy]

Enjoy it in the safety and warmth of your home dear Barbo

Here the sun is bright and its brisk ... Jack Frost visited every night this weekend as the skies remained clear...

Here is Grand-Addy enjoying a walk to the library with me.

[barbo]

She's just darling.

[Alffe]

She really is just darling Addy and I can't wait to see Flash Mob!

We came home to a LOT of snow and our driveway hadn't been plowed which really made it interesting!

Cassie is thrilled and leaping...

We had a wonderful time with the Moi's...who send their love to all.
They are so busy adjusting to their new lives and so happy together that it's just contagious!

Now I need to get serious about Christmas...get a tree up and do some baking. Hugs for the room....love seeing our Nikki and David here.

Wondering if Ducky got this snow?????