The first part of November was spent helping Becky with a Mission Seminar. She was teacher to a group of young girls in our church for Missions and the Women’s Mission Group was participating. This year it was on Arab countries and I was teacher of Yemen and Gaza. We were to wear costumes depicting the countries we represented as well as decorate our class rooms. It was always fun getting ready for these events because the kids were so enthusiastic and a strong impression was made for Missions. We were trying to acquaint them with the larger world and the needs that entailed.

Several men helped with the event, Bear was the time keeper and rang a bell at each room change. The kids then moved to the next room until they had been exposed to them all. With all of the costumes, decorated rooms and artifacts it was pretty impressive. At noon a meal was served, representative of the countries, to women and girls alike. The girls left after the meal and then in the afternoon we went through the whole thing for the women of our church. Needless to say….by the time it was all over, torn down, cleaned up and packed to take home……it had been a long day, but a good one.

I had CPR training at Troop G Headquarters the following Monday and that next week-end, Becky went to visit Jennifer for Parent’s Week-end. It was a beautiful Sunday so I went out to see mom and take her for a nice long drive. She became upset when I took her back. She was getting so she wanted me to be there more all the time. She continually told the “help” that her family didn’t come to see her very often. They told me this ‘on the side’ because they knew that either I or some of the family came every day. Mom was just losing her grasp on what was going on.

Jennifer came home the day before Thanksgiving. I had to work but was off for Thanksgiving and the day after….making a 4-day weekend. I was up early to prepare the turkey and all the trimmings. Becky and Jennifer went after mom… and Jonathan came for the meal and the afternoon. It was a nice day to enjoy the good food and the family. Mom rested a little after dinner but became uneasy about getting back to WC so Becky took her “home” and the kids went with her.

We had the other three days to get things done. Jennifer and Becky were in and out. They were busy making gifts for Jennifer’s sorority sisters and had a house full of nice things to take back. Jennifer drove back to school after church and dinner the following Sunday. The month ended with Bear’s 66th birthday. Becky came in the evening after I got home from work and we fixed pizzas for Bear’s party of three.

The weather was fairly nice the first Saturday in December so we got the tree and ornaments out of the garage to decorate. By the time we finished and moved furniture and so on, the day was spent. The tree was very pretty and that evening we relaxed and just enjoyed the finished product. I always reminisce about Christmas’s gone by when we get the tree out. Each little decoration has a special meaning and carries a lot of history with it. I have always loved the magic of the tree lights in a darkened room.

Mom fell at WC and broke her glasses and blacked her eye. She was suffering from dementia and her feet were swelling and discolored. They had already taken her to the doctor before we knew about it and had increased her Lasix for the edema and dementia. Fortunately she was not hurt bad from the fall nor broke any bones.

The traditional Christmas Choir Party, singing the Cantata, attending Sunday School Class parties, family coming in….. and getting the cards, gifts and house ready each claimed their time. We celebrated George’s birthday on the 22nd and this year was his big 40th. It just didn’t seem possible my George had hit the big 4 - 0. Jennifer and Becky were here and we had a festive time with the occasion. We received snow and ice so that church was called off the Sunday before Christmas. I got up early and began preparations for the meal….George, Jennifer and Becky went out after mom around 10:00am and she came in a wheel chair. They brought it along and it was a great help to her since it was getting harder for her to get around…..and the recent fall she had brought the decision about. It was fine with us because she seemed OK with it.

John called again the day after Christmas to tell us Barbara’s mother had been taken to the Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. After a long Fall of treatments and continued illness, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. We were hopeful the hospital in Texas would be able to help her. The year ended with snow and freezing rain…….we put the Christmas things away and hoped the new year would bring better health for mom and Barbara’s mother. We knew it was improbable but we couldn’t think of them not being with us.

So the old year rang in the new and 1990 slipped away while we slept……..

Until tomorrow,
Essentially Esther