à bientôt.

I have decided to take a break from blogging until after the New Year. I want to get away from my inner thoughts and my computer for a while. I also have a lot of things to do to prepare for the holiday. For instance, tomorrow I need to take my dad Christmas shopping. He told me that he thinks that he will screw it up, but last year he did a fantastic job all by himself. It will be his second Christmas without my mom. It is still difficult for him. It is still hard for all of us.

On Thanksgiving Day, I saw a video of my mom from Christmas Day two years ago. (My dad is in the process of converting a gigantic pile of VHS tapes to DVD format) It was just two months before we found out that she was sick with leukemia, and four months from her death at age 57. I had to run out of the room. Just seeing her pretty hands made me cry. I peeked in again, and watched her fasten my new pearl necklace, as I held my long hair out of the way. Her face was gorgeous. I remember that she smelled like cinnamon and syrup from the French toast she made for brunch. There was syrup next to the corner of her pretty mouth. My sister told her to lick if off. My sister was always telling her to do that.

I will help my dad find great gifts for his grandchildren. He will still sign the cards, Love Granddad & Grandma.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Peace be with you.