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Some Gifts do not have to cost anything
10 years ago
General
An Old Fox's life
Here I sit at the computer on the evening of Christmas Day and I am happy in many ways.
Granted there are sad things that I have to deal with but still without the help of others and the kindness shown to me Christmas would have been a crappy time. And believe me I have had times when a Home cooked Pizza was my Christmas dinner in my life.
After my break up with my Comonlaw husband years back I didnt have much for Christmas. It was just me alone. Granted my Job at that time seemed to always have me working Christmas or Thanksgiving I was still alone for the holidays. It was a time for reflection and wondering of what to do next year and nothing more. I had no one to really give gifts to or a family to speak of. After my change I lost my Real Family. its sad but not one of them wanted anything to do with me after my mother passed. I find it sad that I changed to make myself whole and my family abandoned me.
Flash back about 8 years and I was at home with Pneumonia and a Co worker started to care for me. She came over and helped me with many things including food and getting to the doctor along with care when I was bedridden. After that we became good friends. I would guess we looked like the Odd couple at times but soon we were a pair that is rarely seen apart around town. This relationship continues today with Her. I drive her around most times and we share many things including cooking food several times a week.
Elfi was mostly alone also and had her father and what I call here adopted family here in town. They Lopez's are a rather extended family and Jose and Rosie were her adopted parents when she came to Texas and lived across from them. The family's were close and their son grew up with her and the Family's stuck together all the years including moving to the town I now live in.
After my bout with Pneumonia I was invited to their Thanksgiving and after that Christmas gatherings. It was not hard to see that Elfi and myself were partners and they accepted that and not one had an issue with my Gender change. I will always appreciate that and also that I was accepted into the family. This year was harder than most with me not having any real money to spend for presents or to add to the events. They didnt care one bit. They would have driven over and brought me protesting. Still I managed to wrestle up some things this year with my meger cash and Food stamps.
They had gift exchange and I spent eight dollars on a Magic 8-ball. you know the ones you shake and it has an answer in the bottom. it was a great gag gift. I also got a Ham for the meal that everyone enjoyed. Everyone ate chalupa's and the ham along with the goodies everyone brings to the gatherings. Elfi and myself brought soda and her famous dips that everyone likes.
The one thing I have noticed is the amazing amount of young children that are happening since my start there have been baby's and I have watched them all grow and more baby's. And there have been passing's. Last year Jose passed at the age of 94 and it was not such a grand time. This year Elfi's father passed at the age of 88 and that leaves her alone with just me now and her extended family. It was good to go and eat talk and see the family even if its not my real one. To bad that my regular family was so closed minded to forget me. At least I have my adopted one that is so much better..
So here I sit looking at a very old bottle of Brandy. It was aged three years before being sold and I found it at Elfi's fathers home and she mentioned that her mother probably had purchased it at least 10 years or more earlier. So, its aged and a good Brandy. I grew up in Wisconsin where Brandy is perhaps consumed more than any other place in the US and of course I am named after it. I pulled out a nice blue tinted brandy snifter and will pour a glass and raise a toast to my friends past and present and wish everyone a great Holiday week.
Granted there are sad things that I have to deal with but still without the help of others and the kindness shown to me Christmas would have been a crappy time. And believe me I have had times when a Home cooked Pizza was my Christmas dinner in my life.
After my break up with my Comonlaw husband years back I didnt have much for Christmas. It was just me alone. Granted my Job at that time seemed to always have me working Christmas or Thanksgiving I was still alone for the holidays. It was a time for reflection and wondering of what to do next year and nothing more. I had no one to really give gifts to or a family to speak of. After my change I lost my Real Family. its sad but not one of them wanted anything to do with me after my mother passed. I find it sad that I changed to make myself whole and my family abandoned me.
Flash back about 8 years and I was at home with Pneumonia and a Co worker started to care for me. She came over and helped me with many things including food and getting to the doctor along with care when I was bedridden. After that we became good friends. I would guess we looked like the Odd couple at times but soon we were a pair that is rarely seen apart around town. This relationship continues today with Her. I drive her around most times and we share many things including cooking food several times a week.
Elfi was mostly alone also and had her father and what I call here adopted family here in town. They Lopez's are a rather extended family and Jose and Rosie were her adopted parents when she came to Texas and lived across from them. The family's were close and their son grew up with her and the Family's stuck together all the years including moving to the town I now live in.
After my bout with Pneumonia I was invited to their Thanksgiving and after that Christmas gatherings. It was not hard to see that Elfi and myself were partners and they accepted that and not one had an issue with my Gender change. I will always appreciate that and also that I was accepted into the family. This year was harder than most with me not having any real money to spend for presents or to add to the events. They didnt care one bit. They would have driven over and brought me protesting. Still I managed to wrestle up some things this year with my meger cash and Food stamps.
They had gift exchange and I spent eight dollars on a Magic 8-ball. you know the ones you shake and it has an answer in the bottom. it was a great gag gift. I also got a Ham for the meal that everyone enjoyed. Everyone ate chalupa's and the ham along with the goodies everyone brings to the gatherings. Elfi and myself brought soda and her famous dips that everyone likes.
The one thing I have noticed is the amazing amount of young children that are happening since my start there have been baby's and I have watched them all grow and more baby's. And there have been passing's. Last year Jose passed at the age of 94 and it was not such a grand time. This year Elfi's father passed at the age of 88 and that leaves her alone with just me now and her extended family. It was good to go and eat talk and see the family even if its not my real one. To bad that my regular family was so closed minded to forget me. At least I have my adopted one that is so much better..
So here I sit looking at a very old bottle of Brandy. It was aged three years before being sold and I found it at Elfi's fathers home and she mentioned that her mother probably had purchased it at least 10 years or more earlier. So, its aged and a good Brandy. I grew up in Wisconsin where Brandy is perhaps consumed more than any other place in the US and of course I am named after it. I pulled out a nice blue tinted brandy snifter and will pour a glass and raise a toast to my friends past and present and wish everyone a great Holiday week.
