Last real Christmas
It's been 35 years now since my last real family Christmas. 1983 was the last time I was with both my mom and my dad for the holidays. I didn't go down to visit them in 1984 (which I now deeply regret), and Dad died at Thanksgiving in 1985. Mom was still home for 3 more Christmases, but the fog of dementia had already started to cloud her mind. She and everything else were just never the same after Dad died.
And what of Christmas present? This will almost certainly be the last one I spend with both dogs: my only family now. Actually, my greatest Christmas present this year is that Shadow is still with me. No way I thought he'd make it to the end of 2018. It's really a miracle that he did.
Anyway, this photo was taken on that last family Christmas Day, 1983. I remember how disappointed I was at the time that it turned out blurry. Now I'm just thankful it exists at all. I miss both my folks so much, you can't even imagine, especially at this time of year...
And what of Christmas present? This will almost certainly be the last one I spend with both dogs: my only family now. Actually, my greatest Christmas present this year is that Shadow is still with me. No way I thought he'd make it to the end of 2018. It's really a miracle that he did.
Anyway, this photo was taken on that last family Christmas Day, 1983. I remember how disappointed I was at the time that it turned out blurry. Now I'm just thankful it exists at all. I miss both my folks so much, you can't even imagine, especially at this time of year...