Merry Christmas from Oregon

This was the best photo I could find; for wishing everyone in Blog Land a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!

I've been seeing this sign a lot around town; which leads me to believing that Christmas is not too far off!  Some of my fondest memories of Christmas happen to include a 2lbs box of See's Candies.....my favorite being the maple bourdeaux!

Saying Goodbye

It seems we are saying goodbye again to one of Left Brain's

old friends from school.

We attended a funeral today,

and I don't know about you and any traditions your family might

have but this group of people

took pictures at the funeral.

I'm sure it was because some of them had lost touch with

each other,

maybe they also updated their emails, phone numbers and twitter accounts?

It just creeps me out that there were photos taken,

not just of friends and family but of the deceased

and the ceremony.

Later, after the ceremony, funny attributes in this young man's

life from friends and family;

we all wrote on helium balloons to be released

when they rolled his casket

into the courtyard

at the church.

Left Brain tried his hardest to introduce me

to former classmates whom I only know through

facebook,

and some I recognized and others I've known for a few years.

I think the hardest part is knowing this young man was only 32

and left behind 5 children who reside with their mother

in Arkansas;

his mother has a limited income

and will struggle to pay for his final costs.

Afterall, at 32 what adult thinks his life will end at such a young age?

Nobody has their life together that young unless

you were raised knowing that

you might someday pass from complications

or living a risky life.

Rest in peace, Jason McClanahan

for you are another guardian angel

sent to watch over us

until we meet again.