It's just a week until Christmas and we feel ourselves get caught up in the anticipation and expectations of idealized holidays. Years ago I realized how difficult Christmas can be. My father died of a massive heart attack on December 13. I was just twenty-two years old, working in my first nursing position after college. … Continue reading Bittersweet Christmas
Grief during the holidays
Not a Usual Christmas
Christmas trees have always been one of my favorite traditions of this holiday season. Recently, I toured the Biltmore House in Asheville during the special Downton Abbey Exhibition. The tour guide told us there were seventy decorated trees inside the house and seventy outside. Because of the massive rooms with high ceilings, most of the … Continue reading Not a Usual Christmas
Polly’s Gift
I first saw the painting in December of 1992. My Aunt Polly invited me to come to her house and pick out presents for my sons for Christmas. She loved all her great-nephews and nieces and had purchased toys, books, and candies to give the seven of them. I was surprised to see paintings lined up … Continue reading Polly’s Gift
Connie Rosser Riddle 