A Wonderful New Year Ahead

Grandsweetie Margaret Anne (right) with two of her second cousins, from left: Mycaila (please forgive me, darlin', I can never remember how you spell it!) and Olivia, both sweet granddaughters of my sister, Sue.
Me . . . THRILLED to get my own loaf of my mother spectacular, wonderful, much-coveted-in-our-family . . . FRUITCAKE! Yes, we love my mother's fruitcake. You have not really tasted fruitcake until you taste hers. She keeps saying she will pass on the recipe, because sumboddy's gotta pick up the baton and carry it on!
My beautiful mother with sweet granddaughter, Mary (Molly's second). We had our large extended Harris (my side of the family) Christmas dinner at our home on New Year's Day. Many of the family were there, and it is always good to see nieces and nephews and for second cousins to get to know each other better. There was singing and instrument playing and stories and such a great time. What a good time to share God's faithfulness with the upcoming generations! He has so blessed our family.

Of course, it was so bittersweet and poignant. My father had been in Heaven for only a couple of earth-months, and we missed him so much. He loved, absolutely loved our Christmas get-togethers, even when he became so disabled. It was the highlight of his year, to be with family in so joyous a circumstance. Mother was brave and stoic, but there were times . . . What a beautiful example she has been of making her husband her life-mission, putting forth his vision and complementing him perfectly. Our faithful Heavenly Father gave us a holiday to remember in many ways.