A bittersweet Christmas Part 2

Here it was Saturday, December 21st, three days after my Dad's passing I made my way home from my mom's house after staying with her for three days and two nights to try and have Christmas with my family. My first Christmas without my Dad. I thank God he was still with us for Thanksgiving. I have those memories of visiting him in rehab, taking him Thanksgiving dinner that my mom had so lovingly prepared and feeding him a slice of the butter cake that I made for him. Those memories will never leave. When I arrived home I was greeted by the smile and welcomes of my 4 year old grandson, that brightened my heart. The joy in his face and the excitement in his voice when he stated that it was only a few days left til Christmas. He had no idea what was going on and what grandma had been through but I knew I had to set things into gear and let a little more Christmas spirit fill my home. Yes the halls were decked and all though our feelings were all over the place life had to go on so I put on my Christmas hat and kicked things in the highest gear I could. I headed to the market to get some things for the holiday. Sunday the 22nd I made a spiral ham and some candy yams. Monday I made my turkey, the stuffing and greens. Christmas eve I made some brownies. a apple pie and a Christmas cake after I came home from a visit to my mom's house to take her Christmas gifts to her. I spent that evening at Walmart shopping for last minute extra Christmas gifts and came home and wrapped them. I had already finished my shopping and wrapped my gifts before Christmas eve these were just some extras I decided to pick up. My grandson sat at the table while I iced his Christmas cake that I promised him I would make. The Christmas movies where playing on the Hallmark channel in the living room on our tv, the lights on the tree was blinking and all seemed well. Later that night after my baby went to sleep we put the rest of the gifts out under the tree and Santa's plate with cookies on them and a cup of milk. Finally, it was here, Christmas morning. I was the first one up around 7 am. I came downstairs and cut on the lights and put my Daddy's Christmas card on the mantel and a few of his pictures, called my mom to see how she was on this first Christmas without my dad and to wish her a Merry Christmas. We talked for about 2 hours then I got off to awake the family so we could open gifts and have breakfast. We had so much fun as usual opening gifts and just being with each other sharing the joy of the season with one another and although Daddy was gone physically he was there with each of us in spirit because not a soul in that room apart from my grandson who had not been told as of then that GG Pop had gone to heaven wasn't thinking about the man we called Dad, Pop Pop, and father in law. He will never be forgotten!