This is a year that has tested all of us with a devastating pandemic, hyper caustic politics, and disruption on many levels. The one thing I have always counted on has been a happy season with family but this year will be very different indeed! We all will have to safely adapt and be creative in our connections. Very small family mask-wearing family groups (If we are so blessed) and zoom interactions will be the new…abnormal! I’ll head back in time and share a few Christmas memories. I can’t believe our girls were this small. Such a sweet memory!

A visual period piece.

Do any of you remember pyramid Rubik’s cubes? Tiny, our cat, checks out the action.

Christmas morning.

For many years our girls had a Christmas tree that they decorated in their rooms.

My sister made Christmas ornaments with styrofoam balls, ribbons, sequins, and pins. Marla then made her own variations.

A little ornament adjustment. Marla loves making ornaments with family pictures.

“I would like a Sony PlayStation.”

A Christmas dinner years ago. The British tradition of opening the Christmas crackers and wearing the paper hats came from Dick’s sister, Pat, who lived on the Isle of Guernsey all of her married life.

The night before Christmas.

Adding a few ornaments to the tree.

Two kids on Santa’s knee. Marla’s Mom had a Christmas Eve party with Santa for almost 50 years. Niece Jodi continued the tradition.

With our beautiful girls.

Christmas morning.

Christmas dinner before the guests arrived.

Two of the sweetest!!!

My Mom always loved Christmas parties and of course,…Santa!

The excitement begins!

A Christmas morning chat with my Mom. Stacy took notes of family stories that day which turned out to be Mom’s last Christmas.

We always loved having the Boys come over to help put ornaments on the tree!

The Girls are very creative with making clothes for their Christmas dogs!

The Christmas season is very exhausting….but the memories are cherished forever!

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.