MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Gift!

Martha and Bob had a big Santa sitting in a chair on their front porch, and when I would stay at their house,Mrs Traverse taught me how to decorate miniature sugar cubes. She had a lovely smile,and very dear laugh.
Carolyn and Glenn were golf friends of Mama and Daddy's and were sweethearts from way back.They were the stately couple.Mary and Howard held many lake front gatherings at their home,and they let us go swimming off their dock,until the untimely death of his sweet wife in 1965,at age 46......She was a sweetheart too.Ross and Elizabeth were my "Other Mother" and my "Elder".She taught me just about everything that Mother didn't teach me,with the exception of maybe OB. This was Tara's Mother and Father, and we were introduced at the age of one and have been best friends,ever since!(61 years now!)
Millard and Jewel(Known as OB)were friends with Mother and Daddy from way back! Millard was probably Daddy's best friend,and Daddy was the last person to see Millard before he died.Millard had Reid's service Station,and sold Daddy my 1940 Plymouth Road King,in 1964,with the original tires on it! Jewel was more affectionally known to my Daddy as "OB",so that's what I called her.(His term of affection was different than mine!) She was another special Mama to me too!I still have a pair of gloves she gave,me when I was thirteen,and when her son Charles died,it broke my heart.She rescued Tara and me from a flower arranging disaster in the church sanctuary,one year,when our attempt at flower arranging fell apart.Her daughter Janice came to be with me when David jr.died....something her Mother would have done for my Mama too!
Mary Lib and Bob were the sweethearts in the group,and their son,Bill was my childhood sweetheart too.He has since gone Home to be with the Lord. Bob took us water skiing and "fast" speed boat riding in his boat on Lake Gertrude, and they hosted many picnics down at the water.Mary Lib made the best coconut cake and taught me alot of flower arranging along with OB.
Ethel and Bobby sparkled in the group.He was my dentist,and the only thing I learned from him,was how to take care of,and have good,sound teeth! Mrs.Wells gave me a wonderful recipe for "Ethels Oatmeal Cookies",which I still use to this day! I learned to swim in front of their house,along with the water mocassins.They had a dog name Jingles.
Mama and Daddy had some pretty remarkable friends,and they were some of the reasons I had such wonderful memories growing up.
These were just a few of their regular friends.There were the Brook's(whom I loved dearly);the Bryants(whose son I still write too!);
Oh, and so many more......You can't help but grow up in a small town and not know everybody and be loved by everyone.
Friends and family meant so much to Mama and Daddy.....
This Christmas,as I gather with my David,George;Melissa;Josh;Olivia;Isaiah,and Araya will come down,along with Kelly and Josh(and her bean sprout), I want to take the time to wish to all of you God's richest blessing's this Christmas.
Mama & Daddy's friends realized that God;family and friends made Christmas what it was.
I think my friends understand that too.
Our Savior has blessed me with a multitude of wonderful friends.
You all are my Christmas treasures.May you all have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!......
Merry Christmas!.......Becky and David