Well, we need a little Christmas. Right this very minute. Seriously.

[trof]

Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Christmas.
Right this very minute.

When our dear daughter moved to Massachusetts we made a deal.
We'll come up there (from waaayyy down on the Gulf Coast) this year, and y'all come on down to Sweet Home Alabama the next.
And so forth.

And then a few years later our grandson arrived and that kind of complicated things...hauling all his prezzies down here AND back, on the airplane, plus the prezzies they received here and...so...

For the last three years we've gone there.
This year I said "OK, dammit. A deal's a deal. They. Come. Here. Period."

And then they ran into some unexpected expenses last month.
And the airlines have REALLY jacked up the prices for holiday travel.
And she called and said "Dad, it's really gonna be a stretch for the four of us to come down there."
Oh yeah. We now have a granddaughter, too. And a lovely child she is. But I digress.

"Well gee, shug. I'm really sorry. We'll miss being with y'all."
(Bygod, a DEAL is a DEAL! SOMEONE has to draw the line here. Harumph.)

And two days ago they had to have their cat put down.
Old age and diabetes.
(Please don't give me any unasked for advice about what to do for feline diabetes. She gave that cat insulin shots for three years. I've been through it for 4 years with our old Ace. This ain't a cat thread.)

Now that cat was a total asshole.
It would climb into your lap, lull you into a false sense of security, and then it would bite you.
Draw blood.
Or you'd reach over to scratch it and it would hiss and claw you.
It was the cat from hell.

But...it was THEIR cat and they loved it. And I have to say, it never harmed one of the kids.

So now they're really down.
Going into the Christmas season with a fresh death in the family.

So they need a little Christmas.
Right this very minute.
So we're going to drag our tired old asses up to Massachusetts.
One. More. Time.

Because I cannot think of a single thing that would make them happier.
And I'm so glad that our mere presence will make them happier.
And that makes me very, very happy.

Merry Christmas
:-)

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. Good on you. Happy Holidays to all!

[trof]

3. Thanks. I'm SUCH a softy.

[lost-in-nj]

2. ....

and hugs to your WHOLE family


:grouphug: :grouphug:

lost

[trof]

6. Hugs back.

I am filled with the spirit of the season.
Or it could just be the Scotch.
But it's a warm feeling anyway.
:grouphug:

[SPKrazy]

4. That's very nice

and I'm sure they will be very glad to see you Trof.

Did you decide to drive or fly?

:hug:

:hi:

[trof]

7. It was 8 to 5 drive.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x7191944

Not that I really let that guide my decision.
But it was interesting.

[Beausoir]

5. You are sweet people. What a lovely gift.

Not to get all depressing or anything, but, I would just love to have one more Christmas with my mom and dad. They've been gone for a few years now and I cherish those memories above all.

ENJOY your wonderful Christmas!

[trof]

8. A factor in our decision. Death of a close friend's son.

Her son died, very unexpectedly, a couple of months ago.
He was a young man, drop dead (shit, poor choice of terms, but he was) handsome.
He'd done some fashion modeling.

In hospital for a relatively minor procedure.
Got a staph infection and, in a very short time, goners.

She will never have another Christmas with her son.
Never. Ever.

And we can with our daughter and her family.
And so we will.

Folks, gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.

I'm just sayin',
Don't ever let a chance go by to tell someone you love them or show it.

[tigereye]

9. aw, that's so sweet!

good for you and have a great trip!

[Shine]

10. Well, she's your one and only, right?

That's hard stuff to resist, plus the grandkids and all. Plus you're a big softie. :loveya:

My dad moved out to VA from CA last year. He's had Xmas with us at our place in CA every year for the past 15 yrs. Because he doesn't want to hassle with schlepping wrapped gifts cross country, which could also potentially be opened by airport security, he's come up with the tactic of ordering all his gifts for us ahead of time online and having them shipped directly to our place. He typically arrives about a week before Xmas, which leaves him plenty of time to wrap them all once he gets here. It's pretty clever and saves a lot of hassle.

Maybe that's something you guys could do, in the future, too. :thumbsup:

:hi:

[trof]

11. Yes, she is.

And I guess I was getting a little hard-ass 'geezery'(?) about the 'deal' we made.

If he can schlep coast-to-coast every year, I guess I can.
But the weather is SO much better down here.
And they really enjoy coming.

They live a block from a hospital.
And 4 blocks from the fire station.
After a day or two you begin to tune out the sirens.

They come down here and my son-in-law says "It's SO quiet here."
yep

[lizziegrace]

12. Good deal

:hug:

I'm so glad you've decided to go.

[tainted_chimp]

13. Some Yuletide cheer....

xox!













and finally...



...cause nothing says Xmas like Unka Ronnie & some butts...

Hope you have a safe trip there......you really are a sweetheart!

[rug]

14. Your daughter had to kill a cat to get you to come!?