Just in case anyone is wondering — there WILL BE a Christmas letter and picture from this family —

I just didn’t get it done –yet!  So hold on!  I still am planning on a Christmas mailing — I have the photo cards, I have the stamps, and almost have the letter done, and almost have the cards addressed.

24 days ago, as I came out of anesthesia, I wondered about a whole lot of things, and wondered if I would be able to do the things I need to do for Christmas.  And the truth is, I haven’t (aren’t you surprised???!!!???)

The thing I most wanted to do was cinnamon rolls for my neighbors.  And up until yesterday, I really thought that I needed to let it go this year.  But yesterday, there was a box of candy and a Christmas card from one of my neighbors.  It was signed by a single name.  My heart felt like it was breaking.  She has weathered yet another storm.  Apparently the man she was supposed to marry has gone.  She lives in the house that had been her grandma’s.  Her Grandma was my friend, and she died in January of this year.  At that time, this girlie was living with a guy, planning to marry him.  Obviously, something has changed.  The box of candy what what her grandma gave us every single year that we lived here for as long as I can remember.  It’s a tradition!

And so, this morning, I decided that I had to bake cinnamon rolls.  It was part of the tradition for our neighbors, and I didn’t want that to change.  For some reason, I have always needed to know my neighbors, longed for relationships with them, and wanted to be a part of a community where people helped eachother.  This neighborhood has been that for me.  We’ve been through alot together, these neighbors and us, and if a plate of cinnamon rolls at Christmas can help keep doors open, then I am willing to do what I can to get them made.

Guess what!  I did it.  I got up this morning, made 20 pans of cinnamon rolls, got them iced, and even wrapped in plastic wrap.  And I’m so glad I did.  Already there are three less than when I finished.  My one neighbor stopped about an hour ago with cranberry bread that he always brings me, and said, “Why did you think I brought the bread?  So I could get a pan of the cinnamon rolls!”  Another fellow stopped who always gets at least two pans, and Daniel had told him there could only be one this year because I didn’t make as many.  He looked bewildered at the other nineteen pans, but took his pan and went on his way.  Our Cecilia’s mother and her sister stopped to bring Cecilia presents and they always bring a big box of Boscov’s chocolates for the family, and so another pan went with them.  Now the rest will sit here until Certain Man comes home from work and will take them to the various neighbors.

And I am going to go to my chair.  I think I will take a sweet nap and then we will get busy on some shrimp chowder for Christmas eve supper.  I’m expecting Youngest Son and his wife any time, and there will be helping hands for all the chopping.

Merry Christmas, dear friends.