A Very Crochet Christmas

This Christmas has been full of yarn!!!  In an effort to not have a last minute rush I started on this year's Christmas in January....glad I did!  I of course had a fall lag of enthusiasm and now am overwhelmed with the stuff I haven't finished.  Priorities of course are in order.  The children in my life will have something from me; the adults will get theirs when I get myself together.  In any event, scarves, afghans, snowflake ornaments, purses and other assorted crocheted handy-crafts will find their way to their new homes in the next couple of weeks and I might possibly find the floor in my bedroom that has been hidden in yarn for months...and then it will all start again.

Sometimes I worry I am going to turn into Iola Boylin from Mama's Family with all of my handy-crafting but I love it and I love honoring my mother in making Christmas presents the way she always did.  Her presents were never about how expensive or grand they were but in the time she spent on something esspecially for someone she loved.  This is my connection to her that is mine and mine alone and I treasure it above all things she could have left me.

Relay for Life!! 2009

There is nothing more heart warming, inspiring and wonderful than watching the survivors lap at Relay for Life. These are the people who have or still are facing this awful disease we call cancer in the face. Watching their courage shine through their smiles as they walk the opening lap of the night emboldens me and makes me believe that one day not to far away their will be no reason for this walk anymore, because we will have defeated cancer once and for all.
This year was extra special for me because I was there with Sherrie who respesents so much of where I come from and also with Nikki, Courtney, Abby and Kacie who are such bright spots in my life now. Walking that track with people I love so much and sharing this night which for me is all about honoring my mom's memory was great. Mom would have been happy to see me walking and she above all people would have gotten that I put her picture on top of the word girl on my "Fight Like a Girl" shirt...she would have gotten the "Fight Like a Mom" statement and would have fully endorsed the cheesiness.
SO thanks mom for fighting until God brought you home and you didn't have to fight anymore. I'll keep walking for you every year until there is no longer a reason to walk.

*All photos courtesy of Nikki Paxton Photography