It happened today

My old grinch heart grew 3 sizes today.  It was a day full of sweet and bittersweet memories.

It's funny how you get more sentimental as you get older. Many months ago I was chatting with a friend and I don't know how we got on the subject but I told her my Mom used to have one of those lit ceramic Christmas trees and how I wished I still had it.  Well, today she presented me with this

She's been scouring thrift stores ever since looking for one.   Just looking at it makes me happy, not only for the memories it brings back but that I am blessed with such a thoughtful and caring friend.   But that's not the end of today's sappy sentiment.  Last weekend we lost a dear family friend. She was a vibrant 98 years old.  She was an incredible cook and that theme of her food and baking was a common thread throughout her eulogy Monday.  Every year since I can remember a huge box of Christmas baking arrived at the house.  Once I became a licensed driver I was summoned each December to pick up the box.  I loved my visits with her.  She was not only kind and generous but incredibly funny. The last few years she lived in a retirement home in a small apartment.  She always had a scandalous tale of the goings on there.  Cracked me up.   Even last Christmas, at the ripe old age of 97, she called for me to pick up "the box".  Usually 3 dozen cookies, a couple of different cakes and the best part was a homemade apple pie.   Following the funeral her daughter called me aside. She said "Mom didn't forget about you, she started her baking early". And today "the box" was delivered.  And of the items in it was one final apple pie 

Auntie and I shared it and we both ate it with tears streaming down our faces.  It was like she sent it from heaven.   So here I sit, belly full of pie, staring at my ceramic Christmas tree and starting to feel like Christmas and all the things that are important