This is Grandma Smith, coming up for air.
I am getting the feeling that this may be a week when the blogging is done in spurts and pieces since there is not much time available to spend my usual time on a post. There are grandkids to be hugged and played with and there are family members spilling out from every corner of the Smith abode.
So today I will just feature a few picture highlights and be back with you again when I have some more time.
We spent some special moments with Steve’s dad, Ken, at his rehab place. Since being moved there, he’s been eating better and feeling a little stronger which made him better able to enjoy the time with family. We went over with Steve’s brothers and their families on Saturday morning. There were a couple of guitars and a piano thrown into the mix so that was fun. Ken LOVES music!
Sarah is wearing the beautiful scarf/shawl Steve got her for Christmas.
As we left, the younger generation got a lesson in the finer arts of skipping. Another Smith tradition passed along. (Please note the original skipper following behind taking pictures of the new skippers.
I guess instead of the grandkids being whippersnappers we could call them skippersnappers. It works for me!
After the rehab visit, we all gathered (except for Ken) for Christmas dinner at Steve’s parent’s house.
The weather was gorgeous so we spent a lot of time outside. Steve and his brothers (and Nathan and his cousin, David) have all enjoyed the go-cart and the steep driveway over the years.
Here’s Nathan demonstrating the technique for the new generation.
Aunt Sarah enjoyed all the going on.
There was plenty of time for talking . . .
and for music.
On Sunday morning before driving back to Manteo with Floridian Smiths, we paid one more visit to the rehab, bearing some Bojangles biscuits, a guitar, and plenty of cameras.
Grandpa giving Nathan a hard time about his beard.
There was so much emotion in that day and in our goodbyes with so many tears which I will revisit later. Precious moments, to be sure.
Ken told Nathan and Meagan several times, “You are doing such a great job with your kids. I’m proud of you.”
Words of affirmation from the patriarch are a blessing.
A weekend full of family, food, smiles, and tears. (And skipping.)
Our family wishes you many blessings as you go into 2020.
What about you? Any special memories from the Christmas season you’d like to share?
Was there anyone in your family who was a skipper?
It looks like a lot of fun and memorable times were had by all. Great memories for the future.
Blessings!
Krista,
Fun, memorable memories. Three words I love.
I’m so happy that Steve’s dad is feeling better and was able to spend some happy time with all of the family. Those goodbyes get harder and harder every time when parents/grandparents get older. I’m so glad that you got all of that good time with him. I hope you have many more get-togethers in the future. Happy New Year to you all!
Gayle,
Yes, that time together was beyond special; so thankful for it.
Happy 2020!
So nice to see where Ken is. He and Vernie are looking amazingly good. Seeing all of you together and then the goodbye hugs brought tears to my eyes.
So glad you can have your kids and grands home this week! Love to all,
Deb
Deb,
He actually was just moved to his permanent place yesterday but it looks to be very nice, too. He was doing a lot better than I had imagined so I was thankful.
Such precious hours spent together, the more pictures the better 🙂 Ken looks pretty good, I have to say. So glad he was feeling a bit better and really able to enjoy you all.
A Happy New Year to all the Smithelites!
I am in the middle of a hospitalization for Sarah for an emergent Gtube placement. She is holding her own so far, hope to be going home on this last day of 2019! Quality of life, not quantity will be the motto for 2020 🙂
Skipping. Well, I remember my grandmother teaching me to skip when I was about 4, around the dining room table. Round and round we went. She was very patient and I did learn. Fast forward to a month ago. I decided it was time to teach MY 4 year old granddaughter how to skip. So I started to show her around our table and I couldn’t do it very well at all. LOLOLOL. The moment my granddaughter said to me “What ARE you doing?” as she seriously observed the spectacle of my loping around in a circle, well, I pretty much bust a gut laughing and the respect for my grandmother grew immensely as I realized my grandmother had been in really good shape. These are the things….:)
Les,
I can certainly picture the loping in a circle scene–I’m right there with you in not being the world’s best skipper. 🙂 At least the whole experience made a happy memory for you and your sweet granddaughter!
So sorry to hear about Sarah having to be hospitalized. I do hope you were able to come home yesterday. Hugs.
Such precious, wonderful pictures! It so warmed my heart to see the pictures of Ken looking so happy. I’m glad you all had this special time together and look forward to your sharing your thoughts and feelings on this special time with us.
Sue Ellen,
So glad you enjoyed the pictures; we will remember those few hours together for a very long time.
Precious pictures of the great grandchildren hugging Ken goodbye. Looks like you are having a great time!
Phyllis,
Those hugs were beyond sweet. Absolutely loved seeing them and knowing that we would have pictures of their great-grandpa to show the kids when they are older.
We skipped growing up. Christmas was special as my nephew, wife and one daughter who all live in California visited. First time in five years for wife and daughter. Ryan was home overnight once a few years ago. Christmas caroling at a retirement home and time spent with friends. So glad you could all be with Ken and Vernie as well as some other family members in Charlotte. Enjoy the grandchildren in Manteo. Looking forward to more pictures. Sarah loves so pretty. God bless all with a great 2020. ??
Ann,
That was sure special to have family all the way from California come for a visit. So glad you got to see them!
Christmas caroling at a retirement home is such a special thing to do; I love seeing the smiles pop out everywhere. Love you guys!
Such beautiful pictures and memories to last a life time, the picture of Ken and Vernie holding hands brought me to tears….I am so glad you all got to spend this precious time together.
Dale,
I loved the hand-holding photo, too. Sixty-six years worth of love!
Beautiful pictures, beautiful memories. Looks like a wonderful holiday spent with family,
Catherine,
Precious moments and precious memories, to be sure. Happy 2020 to you!
Such wonderful memories – family coming together and enjoying the company of all. One picture of Nathan’s little girl (sorry. forgot her name) looked like she was letting great grandpa Ken how old she is. So cute, sharing the tradition of skipping. Sarahs shawl is just beautiful. Steve has great taste! A blessed and Happy New Year to the entire Smith Family.
Sharyn,
Yep, that’s exactly what Madison was doing, showing great-grandpa her age. She was so proud!
Steve definitely has good taste!
Wishing the entire Smith clan a wonderful, safe, happy and blessed new year!!
We celebrated Christmas with our kids and grand kids the weekend before Christmas. It was just not the same this year and a bit ‘off’. Our son and daughter-in-law are newly separated so there were some tears and much discussion of the subject. But we are all strong and we all have each other and we will get through this.
My 6 year old granddaughter is the skipper in the family. She has perfected it and skips practically everywhere. If she isn’t skipping, she is writing/drawing and singing or humming. She is such a joy to be around!! 🙂
Lee Anne,
I am so sorry to hear about your son and daughter-in-law; that definitely hurts a mama’s heart. Tears and discussions are all parts of the process of your family finding your way through this. I love your statement about being strong and having each other. So true.
And in the middle of the hard times, there is your skipping, drawing, humming, singing granddaughter. She sounds like a delight!
Becky, the only problem I have in reading your blog is that I cannot press “Like’ and “Love” on the pics!
Margaret,
What a nice thing to say! Happy first day of 2020!
Beautiful photos, Becky, of memories that are sure to be cherished for years to come
Jenna,
So thankful we have the memories when the experiences are gone.