December 26
...when I have prayed, it has nearly always been for my kids.
1964
I got the material for Dad’s vest this morning. I worked on Bob’s vest for 5 1/2 hours - Boy! That’s hard! I started a letter to P on M’s stationery and began the day with my alarm clock. Right now I’m listening to my radio. Tomorrow I’ll wear my new outfit to church.
I love George Harrison and wish and hope and pray that soon I’ll meet all four Beatles. I want to be their friend - a close, trusting friend. I Love Him, I Love Him, I Love Him! He’s so wonderful!!
P.S. So’s V.
Comment 2022
Where did this come from? Since I began the diary in mid-November, I had only mentioned my brother’s classmate V once. But beneath the surface of my mundane diary entries — babysitting, school stuff — was the simmering passion of a fifteen-year old experiencing her first crush. Look out, it’s about to get messy and for me, embarrassing. The more I trusted the confidentiality of my diary, the less guarded I became.
Experts on writing tell you to consider your audience. As an adult, I have mastered this skill, especially in my scholarly work. As I write these diary responses, I am also thinking of you, the reader. What do I need to explain? Should I provide historical perspective or satisfy your curiosity about my teenaged self?
I am also writing for myself, or trying to. It’s harder than it was when I was fifteen.
1979
A very productive day, starting finally getting my computer run to work. I packed, and did this and that - - mostly work, with time out to read.
By Friday I should be ready to Connie and Jack’s visit.
Comment 2023
At first, I scratched my head and wondered, ‘what computer, in 1979?” And what was I packing for? Then it came to me: this was the week we moved into the little rental house on Adelphi Road: New Year’s Day, 1980. And the “computer run” was crunching the data for my dissertation on the university main frame. All those IBM punch cards…
And Connie and Jack, bless their hearts, were coming down from Queens to help us load and unload the U-Haul.
1997
And so, a perfect Christmas, with my nearest and dearest. It dawned on me what a very successful holiday it has been, and why. I have kept my temper. I have resisted over committing myself. I have made cookies. I even made one of Jim’s presents (though clearly my sewing skills are rusty.) I honored Mom’s memory with gifts of kindness and lots of the music she loved. I have taken time to read, time to rest, and time to reflect.
It is nearly noon and I am just finishing my morning routine. But it feels like a day to live, moment by moment.
2001
Christmas Day is behind me; it was really wonderful, with just the 4 (6) of us. On the one hand, it isn’t about the gift. On the other hand, it was gratifying that everyone seemed to select just the right things for each other. The thoughtfulness and sense of knowing what we really needed or desired was amazing. Jim got me the most amazing handmade craft papers, the kind I would be too stingy to buy for myself.
2002
Is it time to slow down and relax, or time to hurry up and get things done? I have a lot to do, but I also need to stop and just enjoy life for a few days. Visiting Connie and family will be a treat. I have been playing computer games way too much – – as many as two hours a day, I think. I think about walking or sewing or tidying and then I think ah no… and there I am on the computer again
2003
It was a lovely Christmas. I enjoyed both Christmas Eve services and had time to make cookies and pie and even some ham and turkey breast. And some handmade ornaments. It was rainy the day before Christmas - cold and raw and miserable. But then it cleared up and Kiddo 1 came to church and was home for Christmas Eve and Christmas. Everyone enjoyed their presents, even the doggies. And now I am sitting in my own chair - Mom’s brown chair - thinking of winter and hoping for snow. (But not snow next week when we are in Bird-in-Hand). It’s time to rest and reflect on the past year and the year to come.
2012
Finally, peace. A quiet day at home, watching the snow change to rain. It’s cold, of course, and the house is chilly and dark, even at 7:30 am. I’m at the dining room table, writing by dim daylight and candlelight. The dogs are sleeping in various different rooms.
I went to bed last night mentally inventorying everything I need to do now that grades are in and the holidays are over. No need to list them here, I won’t forget a single, blessed one! But right now I want to sit and listen to the rain and admire the naked tracery of the trees outside my window.
It was a beautiful Christmas holiday with friends and family. Kiddo 2 seemed a little down; I hope it works out soon for him. I am not a praying person, but when I have prayed, it has nearly always been for my kids. He’s been on my heart for so long now.
Grandkiddo 2 is starting to smile and interact. I was holding him yesterday and thought, “the new love in my life”. How very nice.
2023
It’s Boxing Day. I know, because Jim is watching the Premier League broadcast. That could also mean that it is just another Saturday, but yesterday was Christmas - another clue.) For several years running. My friends Katie and Marybeth and I would go to Franklin’s and deliver year-end tips to our favorite bartender and servers. Katie’s move to California and then COVID ended that.
So it will be Premier League football and then a local production of “A Christmas Carol”, with leftover brunch goodies. And later, more transcriptions await.
2024
Yesterday we enjoyed a just-the-two-of-us holiday. Our family is scattered this year, and we had a near-miss with our German exchange student "son", who was in town but then got sick and had to cancel. We thought about going to a movie, but there were too many choices, so Jim made pasta and we watched some football and Mary Berry's Highland Christmas, and called it a day. I finished one knitting project and started another, and also filled up three pages in my yellow legal pad, some of which might eventually turn into something readable. It was all-in-all, a fine Christmas. We did the music, and the candles on Christmas Eve at church. Watched the Star Island sunset with a friend and drank bold, sweet winter beers. Kiddo 1 and fam will be here on Saturday for a belated Christmas brunch and the first of our two early music concerts. Then the entire gang will be here on New Year's Eve day for Italian lentil soup and crusty, chewy bread. It’s all good.
These are fallow times for me every year. I love putting brakes on, if only for a few days. This year, I anticipate more down time, as I have already spent more than the usual number of minutes - hours? - waiting in doctors' offices and imaging centers. Only three more days to transcribe between now and 2025. Then Spiral Notebook will appear in its next incarnation!