She Misses Her Valentine!

This is my Mother, Velma Nadine Hedges, who will turn 80 years old this year. She and my Father, Halton Leonard Hedges, were married 53 years. FIFTY THREE YEARS! That is a lifetime for many. My father passed away on Feb. 6th, 2004 leaving his Valentine behind and she misses him. I took Mom to the Cemetery today to place flowers at Dad's grave site. She looked so weary and sad and when I asked what was wrong, she simply said, "I miss your Father."
Mom has been ill and struggling from the effects of 3 massive strokes and open heart surgery among other illnesses for nearly 15 years now. And...she is tired! We were advised 2 weeks ago to bring "Hospice" in to help with Mom's health care at home. (Hence not much time to do posting on our Blog.) She is blessed to have the means and the supportive family to see that she is properly cared for at home. That is where she wants to be and we pray that is where she will be able to stay until she goes to meet her Valentine.
Let this be a reminder to us all...we that may take our Valentine's for granted. Maybe we think they will always be around. But, one day we may wake up and have them taken by a heart attack or an accident. So, grab your Valentines...young, old, short, tall, cranky, sweet, skinny, chubby, ages 0 to 99, and tell them how much you love them.
RON AND I CELEBRATE OUR 38th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEK! I WANT HIM TO KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE HIM AND APPRECIATE THE GOOD MAN, HUSBAND, FATHER, AND GRANDFATHER HE IS. Ron is also very kind, gentle, and helpful to my Mother and for that I thank him and will be eternally grateful.

HE ONCE WAS KNOWN AS "SANTA"

For years Ron played Santa for a charity organization I belong to, Golden WHEEL Organization, Women Helping Educate and Enrich Lives, who raise monies to give scholarships to the valley's west side high school seniors and help fund the West Valley Child Crisis Center for abused and neglected children. He has had children from newborn to 80 years young on his knee. I dare say, thousands. Oh the stories he has heard! Some would make you sob and some would make you laugh hysterically. What a fun time he had and what a delight it was to watch him! Also, for years, he and I would dress up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus and visit our Primary children,friends who had small children,neighbors, and sometimes just stop children on the streets, (during the week before Christmas) and give away candy canes and small gifts. It was such fun!

But, eventually, Santa wore out!!! HE WAS POOPED! He was soaking in a hot tub of water one night, rouge still on his cheeks, lips still painted hooker red, his natural belly protruding above the waterline, hot towels soaking his beard to begin the long process of beard removal, and he looked at me with sad eyes and said, "I'm afraid this is my last year." With wide eyes I replied, "You're kidding!?" "No, fraid not. Santa's retiring. We can pass the suit on to whoever might want it." And so you have it. He hasn't put it on since.

Those of you that know Ron well know what a stretch that must have been for him. But, he really did love every minute of it. He use to chatter about what the children (and adults) would say to him as they sat on his knee. Sometimes he would weep as he retold their stories. Such sweet memories we have of Santa and the part he plays in keeping alive the "TRUE" meaning of Christmas. When children sit upon Santa's knee and ask for sweet, unselfish, gifts for their Mothers, or their little brother or sister, or that the world would be a happy place, or that Daddy would get a job...THAT IS THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS -UNCONDITIONAL CHRISTLIKE LOVE. Oh, if we could all be as children wouldn't the world be a better place?

HOPE IT WAS A GOOD ONE

Better late than never, I guess, to wish you all "Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year!". Ron and the boys went skiing this morning (a gift to me-Ha!) so I've taken this blessed peaceful opportunity to pass along a "Season's Greetings" to each and every one of you, the people we hold near and dear in our hearts. You see, each of you are intricate pieces of our life's puzzle. You have helped shape our lives and memories. What you have given us are eternal gifts, gifts that we draw upon in times of need. During quiet meditation we feel your love. In difficult situations we can feel your inspiration. Encouragement is what we feel in times of despair. In celebration we hear your echoing laughter ringing in our ears. Isn't that how it is with the gift of LOVE?

May you all be blessed with life's richest blessings through the coming year. May you find comfort and peace and good health.

Love to you all,

Ron and Jane

**Picture of Santa (Ron) was taken in 2001**

"Old Dog Learns New Trick"

OLD DOG LEARNS NEW TRICK

Authorities say, woman living in Goodyear, AZ, and known to be, "Older than MOST speed limit signs!", has proven that, "old dogs can learn new tricks". Yes, Jane Carmichael, is learning to BLOG!!! Now that is B-L-O-G, BLOG, not CLOG... as Mrs. Carmichael is also light on her feet and has been seen dancing on tables at weddings and various events of the rich and famous. (It is true, any Travelin' Troop of Cloggers, with accompanying trick dogs, would love to have her.)

Back to the main story....Daughter-in-law Janelle Carmichael stated, "Jane caught on with very little repetition, I only had to sit with her at the computer a few hours,well, 3,4, maybe 5. A real computer whizz, ya know. Some may say her elevator doesn't reach the top floor, but not me, not way, not me. She'll be a real Blogger some day!"

So, there ya have it. The proof is in the Bloggin, if you will. Well, sometimes, "Old, doxins, let's say, walk a little slower than young greyhounds, and the like.....but they reach their destination eventually!"

.......You will find as you visit my BLOG that I am a very eclectic person. I am sometimes very melodramatic, sometimes happy, sometimes very sad, I am a romantic, I am patriotic, artist, I said artistic not autistic, I LOVE children...what they say - how they say it and thier pictures, I love the wisdom of the aged, I love quotes, I LOVE HISTORY, and most of all I love my family. I wanted to start a blog so that I would have a "scrapbook", "journal" of our family - Has to do for now.

Erma Bombeck once said, "IT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE TO SHOW YOUR DREAMS TO SOMEONE ELSE." So, here goes, I always wanted to write. What? I'm not sure. Short stories, maybe. I've done a few. Maybe this will be practice. There. I've spilled the beans.

Now, this "old dog" is on her way...a new adventure! I'm a Blogger. No not a Clogger. But, man can I dance on tables! You should see me! Once they closed down a whole wedding because they thought people were getting way too intoxicated! And, I don't even drink! I was just doing the twist on a table top and knocked a few glasses over...

The storal of this mory is: MEN DO NOT QUIT PLAYING BECAUSE THEY GROW OLD; THEY GROW OLD BECAUSE THEY QUIT PLAYING! Oliver Wendell Holmes