Football

24.  Football

            I am really not a very big football fan. I do cheer for my Washington Redskins, but being a Redskins fan tends to temper my enthusiasm for the game. I despise the NFL. The league is a big, greedy corporation with no concern for the players.  But there is something wonderful about football. Love for football seems to unite all sorts of people who otherwise would never speak to each other. Getting caught up in the excitement of a big game is just fun.

            Today the Denver Broncos beat the New England Patriots. I know my son-in-law and others are disappointed but I am glad they won. Gramma Kay would be so happy.

            My in-laws were huge Broncos fans. They loved watching and rarely missed a game. One Sunday afternoon in 1986 they returned from church and had just settled into their chairs to cheer for their team. Life was good. The game began when Kay turned to Bill. He had slumped over. She jumped up to help, but he was gone. She called 911. The ambulance came and took him to the ER. Her son raced to the hospital. Bill’s heart just quit. It was so sudden and so unexpected. It was so hard to believe. We were all stunned. Riding home from the hospital she suddenly remembered the game. She asked “Did the Broncos win?” On the worst day of her life football gave her something to smile about.

 I am always happy when the Broncos win because it would make Kay so happy.

My list continues

Making a list of 1000 things for which I am thankful for is harder than I had expected it to be. I am sad about the death of my sister-in-law, but grateful for the years she lived. We survived a blizzard with no problem. Life is indeed good. I have been adding to my list of thanksgivings, but to reach 1000 I will have to learn to be more observant. Here is the continuation of the list.

8. Tears.

 Grief brings tears. Tears are the price of love. Love is worth crying about.

9.  Allyson

It is so good to have a daughter-in-law who loves my son, my grandchildren and me.

10.  Telephones

I love being able hear the voices of people I love who are far away.

11.  Our furnace.

            It is very cold outside. I like being warm.

12.  Flush toilets

13.  Chocolate

            It just makes life better

14.  Daughters who check on me to make sure I’m OK.

15.  Old pictures that make me smile.

16.  Looking out the window at new fallen snow. Everything looks so clean.

17.  Oatmeal with blueberries.

18.  Stories that take me to wonderful places. I am so glad that I can read.

19.  A good report from the doctor. It seems that I really do have a good heart.

20.  Sunlight glistening on long icicles.

21.  Being buried in a warm, happy place during a blizzard.

22.  The internet

23.  The aroma of a big pot of chili on a snowy day.

Jean

7.  Jean

            My sister-in-law Jean died yesterday. She and my brother Bill were married for 47 years. They went through all the joys and sorrows of life together and were the center of one another’s worlds. I am thankful for the years they shared.

 Jean fell seven years ago and suffered a severe head injury. She never fully recovered from that injury and she has spent her life since then in a nursing home. Bill has spent each day by her side. There was nowhere else he wanted to be more than with her. They were the center of one another’s world.
 The picture above is on their wedding day. The picture below was taken on our last visit with them in May.

Here are a few more gifts for which I am thankful.

 4. Sweet harmonies.

 The Senior Chorale started rehearsals again today. Learning new music is hard, but when we do hit the right notes the harmony is just beautiful.

5.    Ripe, juicy pears. They are even better when shared with my daughter.

6.    Laughing with good friends.