last blog post for 2011

I've been having a hard time writing the last blog post for 2011. We spent Christmas at home. We incorporated some new traditions focusing on doing things together as a family unit such as observing Advent & doing some small community service projects (suitable for a 3 year old). We made gingerbread houses (3 different ways). We made bird seed ornaments for our tree and for neighbor's trees. Mercer also visited Santa on Christmas Eve. We went to several different church services focused on the birth of Christ. We put up a tree and a train underneath it on Christmas morning -- a "real" Lionel train with whistles, smoke, and a controller which changed speed and direction. It was quite nice.

Unfortunately my dad's mother, "Grandma Moore," passed away the day after Christmas. She lived a very full life, however, until the age of 88. Grandpa - "Poppy" as I always called him - passed away just over 5 years ago. We were unable to attend his funeral because we were in Italy. Attending Grandma's funeral last week (at least for me) was like attending a service for both Grandma and Poppy. Their relationship and marriage was very strong. It was evident how much the two of them loved and respected one another. It seemed that they really did "complete" each other and were one. Poppy was a very tall, broad, and intimidating man (to most)... but honestly he was a softie. I learned last week that Grandma, however, really set things straight in the family; she was the tough cookie!

Personally - I don't recall her being too tough. She was a very loving and caring grandmother.

It was nice to learn things about her as a girl, as a young married woman, and as a mother to my dad, Uncle David & Aunt Becky. As an adult, I admired the values that I was just learning that they possessed. They were very accepting of other people. They were Quakers (simple and pacifists) and they participated in activities around a village called Snow Camp. I thought they were even adventurous, as they took a driving tour across the United States after Poppy retired. One thing I would have liked to have seen was them in their prime as young parents -- and running their flower business harvesting 11 acres of dahlias. In their later years, they raised an acre of peonies. For ever... when seeing a peony... I will think of them.

Many of the photos enclosed have not been published on the blog before. My absolute favorite is this one of Grandma and Poppy laughing. They helped bring beauty to this world. Now they are together again.