Christmas Season

As the Christmas season is here, I look back and think of everything that has happened this year. Especially over the past month and the events that have happened.

This past Friday, my Grandpa Rue passed away. I got the phone call at work and it totally took me by surprise. I was soon surrounded by my coworkers showing their love and support. I knew I had to be with my family at that time. I left work and talked to my cousin Mitch and met right off the freeway in Salt Lake and traveled to Orangeville. The family was at Grandpa's house making plans. Saturday we went to the funeral home and talked about memories of grandpa and then to the floral and made floral arrangements. The arrangements were PERFECT for Grandpa.

The viewing was Monday and the funeral was Tuesday. The family met before the viewing and shared memories of Grandpa. All the grandchildren had the memories of Grandpa of Christmas. It just seems that it was the perfect time for Grandpa, he loved Christmas!

The funeral was PERFECT! Everything turned out just right. The burial was cold and snowy but couldn't have been better. Since Grandpa had been in the Air Force, he had the American Legion there. It was so cold, the little old men seemed to be frozen there. But it was beautiful having the snow fall all around.

As I sit here on Christmas Eve day, I just think about the memories I have of how it was growing up. Every Christmas Eve night, we would go to Grandpa's house and have dinner and we would get our pajamas. We would know what we were getting but that was okay! Grandpa would have us listen to the books "The Gift of the Magi" and "Twas the Night Before Christmas" before we could open up our presents from him and Grandma. I don't remember what "The Gift of the Magi" was about, I just remember sitting there wanting to open up that present. Once we opened it, we all had to go put them on. We would walk out in the living room and once everyone was there, we had pictures. So many years of pictures of our pajamas!

I love my Grandpa and I will miss him so much! He has taught me so much. He taught the grandkids to show respect. Be PROUD of where you are from! I hold my head proud because I am from Orangeville! He will be missed.