Christmas 2005 Part Three

Thus our family was blessed with the best gift in the world. Love. A new person to hug, to laugh with, to help plot world domination - LOL She is beautiful, charming, intelligent, funny and caring. Her gift request from my son was a donation to Doctors Without Borders. When I had adequately repaired my makeup, (God Bless the inventor of waterproof mascara LOL) we sallied forth to our last stop, my husband's parents'. They’re a hoot and a half in their own right. Still spry and hilarious in their 80’s, they greeted us with smiles and a crackling fire (in the fireplace, unlike a friend found years ago, when a mentally unbalanced relative set her bathroom on fire trying to sneak a cigarette. Nothing says Christmas like a blazing toilet - LOL!) Eldest Son and Steady Girlfriend/Now Fiancée arrived about an hour after us, adequate time for us to open gifts and squirm with worry that one of our youngens would spill the beans - LOL Grandma had just suggested a game of bingo when they arrived, which was postponed for more greeting/gift opening. Eldest Son gave his grandmother......a bingo set. It was fate I tells ya, fate - LOL So bingo we played, with all "in-the-know" wondering when the proclamation would come, glancing surreptitiously at the engagement ring. The game can get ruthless when you’re playing for a grand prize of Russell Stover Chocolates. Luckily, no one was stabbed (not this year LOL) Eldest Son lost repeatedly, and I commented, "Lucky in love, unlucky at bingo," which earned me a tight-lipped, evil glance. I smiled sweetly. We ate, then retired to the living room, filled with good cheer and ham. Small talk and increasingly less-subtle staring at the left hand of Steady Girlfriend/Now Fiancée ensued until The Big Announcement came. I cried again. Duh. Hugs all ‘round. More tear-wiping, good wishes and LOTS of questions later, (sorry darlin’, we’re a nosey bunch LOL) everyone is smiling, happy and content. Wedding date is not scheduled, estimated for next fall. Adequate time for liposuction and face peel, I think - LOL So much of life is attitude. I have suffered much, yet I smile at each new morning. My New Year’s Wish to all of you is for peace, joy and happiness. I leave you with these words of wisdom: There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved. George Sand Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885) The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven. John Milton While we are focusing on fear, worry, or hate, it is not possible for us to be experiencing happiness, enthusiasm or love. Bo Bennett, Year to Success If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane. Jimmy Buffett Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity. Carl Jung In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer. Albert Camus Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy. Anne Frank People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be. Abraham Lincoln To have joy one must share it. Happiness was born a twin. Lord Byron A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties. Harry Truman This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 When written in Chinese the word "crisis" is composed of two characters - one represents danger and the other represents opportunity. John F. Kennedy, address, April 12, 1959 Those who wish to sing, always find a song. Swedish proverb True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new. Antoine de Saint-Exupery An inexhaustible good nature is one of the most precious gifts of heaven, spreading itself like oil over the troubled sea of thought, and keeping the mind smooth and equable in the roughest weather. Washington Irving You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses. Ziggy No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit. Helen Keller Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence. Aristotle Remember, happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have, it depends solely upon what you think. Dale Carnegie She would rather light candles than curse the darkness and her glow has warmed the world. Adlai Stevenson, Eulogy of Eleanor Roosevelt, November 7, 1962 (I want this one as MY eulogy - LOL)