Bob and I started going to this senior gathering thingee
a couple years back, called 'Keenagers' (keen means something pretty cool = awesome); his niece and her husband talked us into attending … and
we kept going back periodically.
After Bob graduated to a higher and better way of
living, it took me a while to go back. But I eventually did. I needed to know that I could mingle and be sociable by myself. It was important that I {go test the waters}, so to speak.
People noticed that I was coming alone. They
asked where Bob was. I told them Bob had gone to Heaven, 2nd week in
December 2018. 6 people immediately set up camp around {our table}, staked their
claim there with me … and they have become my adoptive “Family” since Spring of
2019. They never intruded; they just surrounded me with love and kindness.
Because I am ‘a handful’, I tend to lay low and
be reserved UNTIL YOU GET TO KNOW ME ;-) They stuck once I started acting like
me (laughing too loud, and sometimes at inappropriate times/joking/boisterous
teasing/boldly inserting my opinions on topics and issues – basically doing everything
that annoys the hell out of my siblings, Bob's family, and our kids). It is good to know I am
not a failure when it comes to social interaction: I just need people in my
life who understand my life and can identify with my quirkiness. People who
take the time to get to know me – and people I have taken time to get to know. People
who are real, and share their real life with me. I am a realistic person, and put a lot of stake into people being realistic with me. We
are not pretentious with each other: I don't have time to wade through false facades, or apparent BS stories; I don't keep fake people around - they drain my energy, and that generally makes me snap.
But these people are good people to know.
We are Friends. We are Family.
Before, there was only Bob, who was my best friend
and only family: come Spring 2019, there were 6 new friends; and as of this
afternoon, at the Keenager Christmas Kick-off, there are several more warming up to me and my quirkiness :-D
Today was a fun day.
Fun IS GOOD ;-)
Fun is important in establishing a
new life.
I'm glad I went today :-D
Cozy hearth scene as soon as you walk in out of the cold outdoors. More was added to the hearth after this picture was taken.
Every table had a different centerpiece: Snowman, Poinsettia ...
.... Teddy bear, & Lantern. The Lantern centerpiece is on the corner table – our table (this is where Bob & I sat every time we came). The group of 6 that adopted me in February share that table with me now.
Red Berries centerpiece, and Nativity centerpiece.
A Christmas Balls centerpiece, a County Church centerpiece ...
... and a Nutcracker centerpiece.
Piano décor & Desserts Table décor.
Tin soldier; it was as tall as I am. Me and Sandy getting silly. The only ‘man’ I’ll ever kiss now ;-)
Buffet Table décor. The candles light up (battery operated).
Sandy. She is in Bob’s family lineage along the Goodrich branch (Bob’s Grandma Smalley’s maiden name).
Judy and her Christmas hat David and his elf ears hat.
Judy made these cute little Candy Christmas Trees, using Rolos, Reeses peanut butter cups, and Hershey kisses.
My adopted Family. We won't see each other again until 2020.
