Christmastide 2021/2022 - 2nd Day of Christmas: A Quiet Walk to See Dad

 Sunday, December 26, 2021

I took a walk to St. Mary's to see Dad early this afternoon. 

It was rather glum out. Despite this there was a beautiful peacefulness and calm which hung over the cemetery. The quiet was quite comforting.

Wishing and hoping that Dad is somehow feeling that same peacefulness and calm. 

Christmastide 2020: The 2nd Day of Christmas - A Walk Through the Cemetery

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Stopped by to say Merry Christmas to Dad on my cemetery walk. 

Dad, I think of you often but especially so over these past few days. My fondest memories sustain me in your absence but it's just not the same as having you here. I miss you so very much. Rest well and Merry Christmas.

Christmas Day 2017 - Merry Kiltmas

Monday, December 25, 2017

I wore my kilt for Christmas Day dinner.

So nice to spend the day with Mom and Day.

Mom brought over chocolate covered cherries which were always Dad's favorites.

Christmas Eve 2012 - Thinking of Dad

Dad's been on my mind a lot today.  I miss him.  This is the 6th Christmas we've been without him.

Christmas Eve 2012

Dad made this manger scene for me way back around 1971 or so.  It's made of twigs which were varnished after the bark was stripped off.  I haven't put it up for a number of years but decided to this year. The top picture was taken this year.  The bottom picture was taken in 1971.  It shows me in my room at the house on Stevens with a small tree that was cut down up at Baba and Grandpa's cabin with the manger scene next to it on the dresser.

Christmas Eve 1968 - The Minneapolis Tribune

I obtained a facsimile of the 1968 Christmas Eve edition of the old Minneapolis Tribune at an exhibit at the Minnesota History Center. The exhibit was 1968 and covered a lot of the events that happened during that turbulent year in American history. It was fun to see what the headlines were. Mom and Dad and I were living in Minneapolis near the old Fairview and St. Mary's hospitals.

Christmas Season 2011 - A Visit to St. Mary's Cemetery

I wanted to stop by Dad's burial site before the holiday season is over. The snow that fell on New Year's is still making everything look pretty. The mausoleum where he is buried can be seen in the center of the photo.

Christmas 1965 - Mom and Dad's First Christmas Together As a Married Couple

This photo was created using Mom and Dad's wedding photo which was taken ealier in the year.

Christmas 1967 - Joe's Wagon

Dad helps me put together my wagon.

Christmas 1967 - Joe and Dad

Dad helps me open presents.

December 1969

By December 1969 the family was settled into the new house on Stevens and getting ready for the holidays. (Top photo developed Feb. 1970 but taken in December 1969)

Christmas 1970 - The Manger Scene

1970 is the first year that the whole manger scene appears in a photograph. The Mary, Joseph and Jesus figures, along with an angel appear in a photo from 1968. Mom made all the figures and Dad built the wooden form to house them. The manger scene is now in the possesion of Pete's family.

Christmas 1975 - Pete's First Christmas Part 2

Pete didn't do too badly his first Christmas. He got all of us! Of course, the rest of us did pretty well too. After all, we got the world's cutest baby!

Christmas 1979 - Dad

Dad, being the photographer most of the time, was usually behind the camera. Here's a rare shot with him in front of it.

Christmas 1980 - Christmas Tree

The family Christmas tree. The top two photos were taken with one of my first personal cameras. I loved snapping pictures and still do. The bottom photo was taken by Dad with his 35mm camera.

Christmas 1983 - Mom and Dad

All those years ago.

Christmas 1984 - Mom & Dad

Christmas 1984 - Opening Stockings

Dad

Mom

Pete

Sam

Joe being a goofball.

Christmas 1987 - Sam's Gas Can

This is actually one of my favorite family photos. Sam bought his own Jeep Cheroke in 1987 and Dad was none too happy about it. I think the make was 1974. Anyway, Sam rather liked it even though it was something of a clunker. When we gathered around to open presents we all noticed a huge wrapped package behind the Christmas tree. It turned out it was for Sam and he seemed to be quite excited about opening it. It turned out to be a large gas can and from the above photo I think Sam got quite a kick out of it. Dad seemed pretty satisfied with the joke as well.

Christmas 1987 - Dad

Dad opens a present while Pete looks on.