"Then I joined the Family at 19. I think if my father had still been alive I probably wouldn't have joined. He was my rock and I could tell him anything. I still miss him to this day and am sorry that he never got to play with my kids."

I feel the same way, Jane, in regard to my mother. I don't believe that I would have joined the COG if she had not died. But I trust in God's perfect wisdom and mercy.

BTW, how are things going with your mom, lately?

> I hope we all have a good holiday experience
> this year. It doesn't have to be big and
> lavish to be wonderful. Sometimes just going
> for a walk with loved ones is enough. I look
> forward to having my children all here
> together. We only get together twice a year
> usually and I miss having them all close. I
> like sitting around in our pjs Christmas
> morning, pulling stuff out of the stockings
> and laughing at each other.

Now that sounds like a Christmas that I would enjoy, too.