Photo by Sixteen Miles Out
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 Dec. 10, 1980

"Today was pretty good but later in the day M. started cussing at me then I got mad and kept my mouth shut (but she still was mad).  I think she thinks cuss words make her terrific and make her look better, however not so with me."

Dec. 13, 1980

"Today all I did was clean house, do toothpaste caps [a business my Uncle H.D. had that allowed us to earn money], and carry wood.  And watch TV (a Christmas special) Perry Como did it in Bethlehem"

Dec. 14, 1980

"Dad talked to us we all cried.  He doesn't think he's being as good of a father as he should...but he is.

...He said we should think about the good in life not the bad - to count our blessings on paper which I'll try to do tomorrow."

"Dec 15, 1980

"Dad left - I wish he could have stayed with us - forever - ohh I hope we will be able to in heaven."

Dec. 16, 1980

"It's late so all I have time to write is a few more of my blessings I have come to appreciate Faith and Prayer are two - we have practiced this a lot lately and have come to appreciate them."

Dec 17, 1980

"...a few blessings I have come to recognize.

1.  Love in the family

2.  Sharing

3.  Giving

such things to do with Christmas"

Dec. 18, 1980

"if there is any thing I've realized tonight it is this...

No matter if I've got an F in Algebra and a B in band I've still got friends that really care who will support you no matter what happens or how dumb you seem to be and also your family helps."

Dec. 19, 1980

"...the blessing I recognized most were that of friends and family who can make a big difference in your life."

*To wrap up December, we opened our presents on Christmas Eve this year because we were going to My Grandma C.'s on Christmas.  I got an electric blanket which was "such a nice thing"  and "warm!"  This was a hard year financially for my parents and I am pretty sure our Christmas was made possible by a thoughtful check in the mail, likely from my Aunt and Uncle in Missouri.  I'm sure needing that check was hard for my parents, but I remember being grateful for the kindness and love of sweet relatives.