christmas props

Some of you will remember MY BLOG POST about the Christmas Party at Mom's retirement home last Christmas. It was my 3rd or 4th year to help lead the festivities for the residents. They are nice to ask and I'm normally happy to do it, but when the invitation came to please do it again this year...I was hesitant.

I didn't wanna.

How could I go back out there where Mom lived and where we spent so much time?

How could I be a cheery Christmas elf when the very act of being in the retirement home would fill me with sadness?

That's it....I'd say I couldn't do it! They would understand my grief. I didn't want to face the way being there would make me feel. Nope. Nada. No thank you.

But then I heard her voice.....dammit...."Kath....some of those people don't have anybody. Nobody. It would mean the world to them for you to come lead the party" 

Really, Mom....speaking to me beyond the grave? What's up with that? O---K, I'll do it. Now, be quiet!

I stewed. I delayed. I hemmed and hawed. I tried to come to a certain peace about being out there and how all of this was gonna work.

Then....I came up with the perfect solution. The shiniest, most perfectest, most baby Jesus-y Christmas prop EV-ER!! I'm totally, absolutely without shame!

You guessed it precious Chicken Wing reader......Baby G!!

People in retirement/nursing homes rarely get to see a baby.

One of my favorite residents. She's always beautiful, happy and slightly ornery. Love her!

They NEVER get to see a cute baby wearing reindeer antlers!

The Christmas party for the residents today was a slam dunk. They loved seeing baby G.

Santa made a special appearance

Of course, I closed the party with retirement home bichon FREE-SAY extraordinaire....the fabulous waving Sophie. She wished everyone a Merry Christmas with her furiously waving paws.

Sophie and Santa in 2010

I'd say it went pretty well. It's a milestone, for sure. Many of the residents spoke to me of their love for my mother, of her fabulous bridge playing and of her black humor. At times, I teared up....but it was OK, cuz usually the friend telling me the story was teary as well. I needed to hear the stories....needed to give and receive lots of hugs.

Overflowing gratitude to the Sprout for going to all the trouble of dressing up a newborn, a bichon and a golden doodle in Christmas outfits for their moment in the sun at the 'home' Christmas party. You are an outstanding daughter. Hopefully, you will not hear my voice beyond the grave. Love you, Sprout.

The Texan and I have not lost the necessary skill of eating while a baby sleeps on one shoulder. The Texan said G's pajamas might contain a stray pinto bean

The Texan says he hopes Baby G doesn't catch a bad case of the gout from being at the home today.

Hope your Christmas is filled with joy!

Shameless Christmas prop love to all.