Epiphany - The 12 Days of Christmas

I remember a long time ago, when My Pat asked me innocently - 'What is meant by the 12 days of Christmas'?  I think I lamely referred to the silly Christmas Song.  Heck, I probably sang it to her over and over again driving her crazy.  I don't know why, but I have never forgotten that casual little request.  Last night I had a terrible night.  No sleep, my stomach was upset, my cold was awful and I got to thinking about the 12 days and answering her request.  I opened my computer and surfed the net to find out.  I am sure that most of you already knew most of this, but here is what I found. 

Christian tradition denotes, January 6 as the celebration of Epiphany. It goes by other names in various church traditions.  In Hispanic and Latin culture, as well as some places in Europe, it is known as Three Kings’ Day or as most of us recognize the day that the 3 Kings brought gifts to Baby Jesus.  Because of differences in church calendars, mainly between the Eastern Orthodox and the western Catholic and Protestant traditions, both Christmas and Epiphany have been observed at different times in the past. 

Epiphany is the climax of the Advent/Christmas Season and the Twelve Days of Christmas, which are usually counted from the evening of December 25th until the morning of January 6th, which is the Twelfth Day. In following this older custom of counting the days beginning at sundown, the evening of January 5th is the Twelfth Night. This is an occasion for feasting in some cultures, including the baking of a special King's Cake as part of the festivities of Epiphany (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French Catholic culture of the Southern USA). 

The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King. In some Central and South American countries influenced by Catholic tradition, Three Kings’ Day, or the night before, is the time for opening Christmas presents. In some eastern churches, Epiphany or the Theophany commemorates Jesus’ baptism, with the visit of the Magi linked to Christmas. 

My conclusion is that the celebration of Christmas is more than one day.  It would have to be.  Somehow I think that the evolution of gift giving on Christmas morning and the retail focus and drive by todays society has affected tradition even more.  I also think that our celebration of New Years Day has somewhat clouded our understanding of the 12 nights.  This year I will be celebrating Christmas multiple times and it will seem as though we will be celebrating the original 12 days of Christmas.  I will have Christmas morning at Sara's with Branden and Michael.  Then will enjoy their company for the next few days.  I will then be heading South a few days after, with Stops in Maryland and Viriginia.  I am going to strive to make those stops a form of a Christmas event.  I have estimated that we will depart for Florida mid week arriving in Palm Coast by New Years.  I will take a day or so to settle in and get organized.  But then on the 12th night I am hoping for a modest get together at my place with all of my family members that may be able to attend.  You are all invited, but if you can't attend I understand.  I am looking forward to it.  Have a safe and wonderful Holiday.  

Love to All, D.  MYD

PS:  Sorry it took me so long to answer your question BabyGirl.  Please Forgive Me and I Thank You for planting the seed for my Epiphany.  Love, D.

Happy Graduation

This past weekend I traveled to Charlotte, NC to attend my nephew Jason Roberts Graduation from the University of North Carolina.   I was honored to have been invited to the ceremony which was also attended by Jay's Mom, my sister Delby, his sister Megan, his dad Fred and other family and friends.  He earned the status of 'Cum Laude' which is a symbol of Scholastic Honor and his accomplishment is a stepping stone to earning a 'Master's Degree' in Physics.  I am pretty sure that is a first in our family.  I learned a couple of things that day.  I always thought a physic was something to help  you go to the bathroom, but when I asked, Jay got this look of fright on his face.   Actually, all joking aside, I read his Thesis and was very impressed.  It was a postulation on Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Photovoltaic Characterization.  I am pretty sure that the theme was tied to 'Renewable Energy' which while reading it, actually kinda scared me.  

Sister Delby, Niece Megan, Jason, His Dad Fred, Me

After the ceremony I visited Jay's apartment and gave his friends and family a postulation of my own.  I believe that sometime in the next 100 years our society will derive it's energy needs from a renewable resource.  In the 18th century the energy source was wood, in the 19th century it was coal, in the 20th century it was oil.   And in the 21st century it will be human waste.  I call it the 'Full of Shit' theory.   Have any of you ever noticed that the star ship 'Enterprise' doesn't have any toilets?  Well that is because in the future when someone has to dump, they push a button on their belt and the load is beamed (beam me up Scotty) to the renewable energy factory which is what powers their starship.  When I finished the room was full of silence.  Maybe they needed time to 'Digest' this idea?   


Jay, please don't take my goofing around as a trivialization of the wonders that you have accomplished.  I am very proud of you and what you are doing with your life.  I wish you all could have been there to share in the very wonderful success of one of our family.  Congratulations Jason.  We are all very proud of you!


Love to All,  D


PS:  Merry Christmas.  Be Safe and Be Happy


PPS:  Happy New Year

Current Events

It has been a while since I entered a post and I apologize.  I have been busy which is no excuse.  I have heard back from most of you and I thank you.  It looks like the probability of having any type of 'ReUnion' is slim.  Everyone who responded liked the idea but also implied politely that the viability was limited.  Distance and timing has a lot to do with it I guess and I understand.  Just because I have an open schedule doesn't mean that everyone else does as well.  I have made arrangements to have dinner with some of you and am looking forward to those get togethers.  Last month I had the pleasure of sharing dinner with my niece Marianne.  Wow, she is so pretty.  She reminds me of her Mom.  She is very successful as well.  And she travels all over the place.  All over the US and Europe as well.  I thought I was bad.  We talked and enjoyed a nice dinner.  She told me about her girls.  I was surprised when told me that she doesn't allow them the 'Electronic' freedom that others in her girls generation have come to take for granted.  She is very strict when it comes to that - cell phone, texting, TV time, Computer Time, etc are all limited.  I was amazed and then later I got to thinking about my Grandson who at 7 has a handheld DS that has Net Access.  One day Going through the history on his device I found a file entitled 'Naomibuttcrack'.  And that is what it was.  And I gave him that DS.  Seems to me that Marianne has the right idea.

I had intended to head back to Florida at the end of September, but this and that happened and I kept postponing the date.  My original plan was to head South in September, then I was going to Fly North to spend Thanksgiving with Sara and then they and Michael were going to fly to Florida to spend Christmas with me. Then cousin Michael got a promotion and headed back to West Virginia from Montana.  He had to use time off to get things squared away so he informed me that he won't be able to travel to Florida for Christmas.  Sara too has had to use her personal time for different happenings so she no longer has the time available to travel South for Christmas.  With the delay in heading south and the fact that the kids won't be able to head south in December, I decided to just stay in New York until after Christmas.  I think that will be best for everyone.  Well, at least best for me.  Just hope it don't snow too much.

I plan to visit friends in Eastern PA and then in Annapolis, MD in mid November and am hoping to take advantage of an invitation to visit Marianne's home in Bear Delaware during that same time period.  Yesterday would have been mine and Pat's 40th Wedding Anniversary.  It was a hard day.  I still miss her more than anyone can understand.  Keep in touch.  Love, D.

Trip to Central Square

This past week, Tom and I visited this lovely little farm in the middle of nowhere in Central Square, NY.  It is Named FFF.  Foster Funny Farm and is inhabited by a dog, 4 cats (could be more), two Horses and an abundance of wild life.  There is a beautiful home and a barn.

Oh and the occupants of the home are very nice people as well.  Dave and Chris Foster.

Chris, Dave and a Classic Javelin 

We were treated to a tour of the facilities and learned a great deal about living in the out back.  There is much maintenance and upkeep in a farm.  A lot of work.  I have great empathy for Chris, because Dave is a little out there himself.  He is as big as a horse, built like a pro wrestler, has a permanent grin on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.  And he races go carts.  Somehow he was able to hook up with Chris, this very smart, sweet and beautiful woman.  And they are perfect for each other.  Rare indeed.

Dave trying to Sign Love, Coordination ??

Their horses are rescues.  One is a Standardbred (Pacer / Trotter) and the other is a Quarterhorse (Rodeo).  I will probably get this wrong but one was called 'Ace' and the other I think was called 'Trixie'.  I am sure you all have heard of 'baby sitters'.  I would even bet that most have heard the expression 'house sitters'.   Well maybe some of you have heard the following, but frankly it was new to me.  Horse Sitters.  When ever Chris and Dave go away, they have to have someone come and take care of their horses.

I bring this up because I got to thinking about a future site for a proposed reunion.  In my mind the central spot for a reunion was Eastern, PA maybe the Pocono's.  In my mind I picked this spot because it was central to all.  After my visit to the FFF, I got to thinking that if we tried to do something in Eastern, PA, either Chris or Dave would stay home to spoil, no I mean take care of their horses.  So as another potential site, how's about Auburn, NY.   Just a thought.  What do you think?  Ya'all take care.  Love, D.

Family Ties

The following Post is a reprint of a post that I placed on the Blog that I established for My Pat.  http://mybabygirlpat.blogspot.com

I have over the years, maintained close ties with members of My Pat's family.  Primarily that was because of Pat.  Her brothers and sisters were her closest friends.   During that same time period I did a terrible job of keeping touch with my family.  Always too busy or had this excuse or that for not maintaining contact.  The last few years I locked myself into a shell and worked at not maintaining contacts of any kind.  But the fact is, it started for me a long time ago when I was working hard to get ahead.  I was on the road working long hours and when I wasn't working, I was with Pat and the kids.  Add to that the fact that we moved our residence on average every four years which added to my list of excuses for losing contact.  It seemed to get worse right after Gramma Rachael (My Mom) passed away.  I always had an excuse.  I didn't even call them on Holidays.  

My lack of contact was in spite of the efforts of my Brother and Sisters.  During Pat's terrible ordeal, out of the Blue, I recieved a call from my Brother Tom.  Before that, we hadn't spoken in almost 12 years.  He really made my day and even more so, he made Pat's day.   When she spoke to him on the phone that day, she lit up like a Christmas Tree.  She was very Happy - mostly for me.  Since then, he and I have maintained consistent contact.   My Sisters Sue and Debbie, at great expense traveled all the way to Florida to attend My Pat's funeral.  I was caught off guard but was very touched by their wonderful gesture.  I paid them back by again losing contact with them.  Debbie and I had an argument about something and she and I have barely spoke since.  I offended Sue by something that I had carelessly written about on this blog and she hasn't spoken to me since.  My sister Linda and I are the exception.  We have maintained contact through thick and thin, but mostly due to her efforts as opposed to mine.  My greatest sin has to do with My Big Sister Joyce.  She passed away in 1976.  In the time since I have spoken to her Son Dave maybe five times and not once since my Mom passed away.  Her daughter, my niece Marianne I cannot remember speaking to since my Sister's funeral.  Contact with my other nieces and nephews aren't much better.  

I have faced up to my shame and made a decision to make amends.  I spoke to Dave Foster a few weeks past and have a date this Saturday to visit his place in Central New York and to meet his wife Chris.  They are very nice people and I am looking forward to it.  Last week I spoke to Marianne via Facebook.  I had to wait to hear from her because she was traveling in Casablanca.  Wow.  When she got back, she responded to my facebook post and we are going to try to hook up at the end of September.  She has two daughters, Madelyn and Abigail that I had never seen or spoken to.  She posted pictures of them both on Facebook.  Pretty like their Mom.  A few weeks back I met with both of Linda's sons.  I last saw them at their Dad's funeral, but before that, contact was touch and go at best.  They both made me feel very welcome.  Tom's son Steven I met when we traveled to Newport News for Jack Reed's funeral.  Before and since, contact has been terrible.  I plan to fix that in the next few weeks as well.  He is a very nice young man with kids of his own.  

I have made arrangements to meet with Jay Roberts in Charlotte on my way back to Florida at the end of September.  I made this arrangement through email with Jay.  I am hoping that he will be able to invite his Mom and his Sister to join us.  I have yet to make contact with my sister Sue.  I did receive an email response from her son Kevin who lives in Spain.  I haven't seen him since I cannot remember when.  He is married and has a daughter.  His note was very nice and he sounds very happy.   I plan to continue to communicate with him in this fashion i.e. via email until the time comes for a one on one.  His sister Joanna is sick right now and I think that is why Sue hasn't been available.  I am not sure of the details, but I am told that it is serious, so I will have to wait until the time is right.  Joanna is married and has four children.  Her and her husband Jaime still live in Auburn.  

Some of my family will accept my apologies, while some others may not and that I can understand.  However, I am still going to try.  I am making this confession because maybe my friends and other family members can learn from my mistakes.  I know many of my family will forgive my lack of care, but frankly I will never forgive myself and promise to never let it happen again.  

Love to All, MYD.   D.

Memorial Reunion

After talking to a few of my nieces and nephews, I got to thinking more about the theme of this suggested event. In addition to sharing memories of my favorite Mother, we should also be prepared to share thoughts and memories of my Big Sister Joycie Foster, Jack Reed and my Beautiful Wife Pat.  Am I forgetting anyone or do any of you have ideas to add to this effort?

ReUnion

During a recent visit to my Sister Linda's home in Virginia, with my brother Tom, we got to thinking and discussing ideas relating to getting our family together to celebrate and share memories of our wonderful Mother.  So many of her Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and maybe even her Great Great Grandchildren have perhaps never been touched by her except perhaps in spirit.  So it was decided that we would make contact with as many of her family members as possible to determine the interest and viability of a some type of family gathering to fill that void.  This site is being set as a gathering point for updates and current events relating to the success of such an event.  Please send your ideas and suggestions to my email address and I will post your ideas, suggestions and concerns on this blog.

mudroch@gmail.com

Sincerely

Doug Murdoch