An update for Ellen

The week before we head home for Christmas and here comes the winter storm.  It almost always happens.  We have had ice storms,  snow storms and even flood warnings on the weekend we come down.  And we have even had a couple that were overly warm.   It is always a good time but the travel can be draining.  We have been very lucky not to get stuck either down there or between here and there.  Ok enough about the weather.

I remember one of the first trips during the holidays started from the other direction.  Beth and I been dating for a  couple of years and had gotten serious.  I drove up to spend Christmas Eve and day with her and her family.  It was a very nervous trip for me.   After dinner and presents at her parents I asked Mike if I could talk to him in private.  Out on their front porch I ask him if I could marry his daughter.  It was one of the hardest but best conversations I ever had.  He told me he would approve but I had to promise to let her finish her degree before we got married.  Beth and I had already talked about that and had agreed to wait till she was done at Murray.  To tie it back in to the first paragraph, it snowed the next day while we were at her grandparents.

The trip always changes. We have added 2 more people to it over the years.  We have lost some people we would try to see.  I think about them all almost daily.  But more so during this time of year.  I miss Marion's float.    I miss playing high nine sitting in Granddad's lap MarthElla's house Christmas day.    I miss going to  Church and helping with Mama jo's toy drive.  I miss going to the park and eating with Papa Frank and the staff for Christmas dinner sometime the week before.

Enough of that.  Everyone come tell me what you want for Christmas.  Not that I have any pull with getting the gifts I just want to know what people are wanting.