Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. We are all snuggled in for the night and going to watch Mickey's Christmas Carol, Pluto's Christmas, Small One and Scrooged. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Sanders Christmas 2009

What a large gathering! I think this was the most Sanders we have had under Nanna's roof ever! Let me see if I can list everyone:) Nanna, (Big) Mack, Penny, Betsy, (Little) Mary,
Tess, David, Emily, Sam, Emma, (Little) Mack, Peggy/Momma, me, Solon, Jason, Sally, Luke, David, Janie, Bobby, (Big) Mary, Margo and Julie. Everyone was there with the exception of Troy (Betsy's husband) and Jay. We drove from Vicksburg, Jackson, St. Louis, Hattiesburg, Oxford, Pensacola and Atlanta for the big gathering.

It never feels quite like Christmas until I walk into Nanna's house. It is always so warm and happy. And it is always a treat to see all my aunts, uncles, cousins and second cousins. Everyone looked great, and all the little people are growing up.

Nanna brought out all the good stuff for the children. Toys we all played with 25+ years ago when we were younger. The 'house.' And Donald Duck. And then Tickle Me Elmo, crayons, chalkboards!

All the grown ups had fun catching up and drinking wine. Then a fabulous lunch prepared by Nanna's church. Chicken spaghetti, salad and bread. A delicious cheesecake made by Julie. It was all so wonderful. It was great for me, Sally and Janie to be around so much family. And to introduce our two new additions!

Today

I have this knot in my stomach. I don't want to write but want to say something about my dad.

My dad pinched our cheeks. Mine. Sally's. Janie's. All the time. His hands were always so cold, and he would actually pinch a little hard. But it was his way of telling us he thought we were so pretty.

This is one of the thousands of photos taken at my wedding. It never jumped out at me until after my dad passed away. But it is my favorite. Because it completely captures us.

I am trying to remember how it felt. That pinch. My dad has been gone 2 months today. I feel such an overwhelming sense of loss. I just want him back. More than anything in the world.

The Grill

The Grill is closing down, so we all went there for dinner and drinks. This was one of our favorite bars when we were in college. And they have the most delicious cheese sticks in the world. We spoke to the waitress, and she said they are actually moving to a different location. One that is bigger and near the small downtown area. But the location of the Grill (in the Cotton District) and the 11 parking spaces out front is all part of its charm. So we all agreed that it wouldn't fare well in a new place.