Butterflies and Christmas Memories

It's said that a butterfly is a deceased loved one letting you know they are near and their spirit lives on.  I have not seen many butterflies lately let alone be near one.  Today, however, I had one fly up to me.  While he didn't land on or near me, he did flutter around me.  He would flutter in front of me, then fly off ahead and come back, playful like.  I watched for a few minutes before he flew up and away.  I have reason to believe it was sent from my grandparents, or at least my grandfather.  This past Monday, December 19th, was his birthday.  Tomorrow, December 22nd, will be the 30th anniversary of his passing.

Even after all these years, I still think about him a lot and wish he was here.  He loved being a grandfather and he was so thrilled to be a great-grandfather when my oldest, Jennifer, was born.  He passed when she was 14 months old.  I know he would have loved to do things with all of his great-grandchildren just like he did with me and my brother.

My grandmother will be gone 28 years next February.  I think about her a lot as well.  She is the one who initially taught me to crochet.  She started me with granny squares.  I did a lot of those.  I try not to do those these days if I can help it.  Earlier this year I started making jams and jellies.  She made those, too, and I think of her a lot when I'm doing them.  I wish I could have had the chance to do it with her.  She always did them when we weren't at their house.

Every year I think about the silver Christmas tree with the colored light wheel that sat in front of it.  We also opened presents on Christmas Eve after dinner.  Of course my brother and I were so impatient because after dinner, we also had to wait until Grandpa watched the 5:30 news.  He watched it at 5:00, why did he need to watch it at 5:30?  But eventually he would grin at us, get a twinkle in his eye, and tell us it was time.  And away we went.  Of course, when we got up the next morning, Christmas Day, Santa had been there.  He was generous at Grandma and Grandpa's house (So was the Easter Bunny but that's another story for another time).  I remember the excitement I felt when I got my very own little TV when I was about 7, 8 years old.  It was a little B&W but it was all mine to watch what I wanted in my bedroom.  My brother got a 10-speed.

So many memories...I still miss them a lot even after all these years.

Merry Christmas to everyone.  May your holidays be merry, bright and a lot of memories made

Terri