ROCK OF LOVE

I don't remember my mother rocking me. I mean, I don't remember her actually holding me in a rocking chair. I do know that she has supported me and loved me unconditionally for 27 years. She has never judged and inspired me beyond imagine. Betty is six months old, brand new as far as the vast scheme of things is concerned and I have only begun to rock her. As I hold her close and sing her lullabies, the cycle of life closes in all around us. I realize that some day, not so far away, she will rock her own babies. I love, listen, smell, breathe and live my own daughter because of my mother, who continues to ROCK me!!!!!!!!!

WATCH OUT GERBER

MERRY CHRISTMAS

As the move to Big D approaches Justin and I have been through, what we consider, a bit of financial woe. Things such as credit scores, insufficent W-2s and busted plumbing. It's been overwhelming and down right discouraging but.....

Not once have we been without our warm sheets or feather comforter. Not once have we been hungry or thirsty. We have never been separated from our child. We have no idea what hopelessness is.

No, instead we have considered MAKING our Christmas gifts. We have decided against the limo at the Calvert's Christmas Cocktail Party. We (I) have given up my weekly Gap trip and let BB suffer in the same old clothes. I bought my Tony Lama's from E-bay instead of Cavender's.

We have a dear dear friend who "talks" to God when he prays. So this Christmas I would like to say, "God aka Gub, it's Grace. I really appreciate everything you do for me. Thanks for BB and Justin. Thanks for your good will towards men and thanks for the Tony Lamas."

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

Dear 2702 S. Taylor aka Casa de Calvert,

Goodbye my good friend. You were the beginning of a long journey and I will never forget you. I will always remember the good times. Thank you for such a wonderful start in life. Thank you for keeping the plumbing adequate for our stay. Thank you for hosting parties, puppies, and friends. I can only imagine how many times I have come through your doors and as the final exit approaches I realize how truly special a home is. Thank you for holding our hearts.

Love,

The Calvert Family

United Market Street

Dear United Market Street,
I love you. I would move back from Dumas just to be with you again. There is a hole in my heart where you and your glorious groceries once were. When I walk through your doors I feel like I've come home from a long trip with a hard bed. What do I love about you UMS? I love Sampling Sunday. I love your clean floors and tidy rows. I love your Summer House Iced Tea. I love Ray, the butcher, who finds all of my beef shank and fresh clam requests to be rather amusing. I love when you have a new fruit I have never tasted before. I find it very impressive that you, a grocery store, carry Mulderbosch and more importantly, my other fine friend, Kim Crawford. I would like to praise you United Market Street for hiring such fine employees as Les and Jacob who insistently card me every time I purchase alcohol just to make me feel 20 again. I love to hear the stories from the sackers especially when they are about fast cars and wild nights after a long day of high school. UMS, if you will move to Dumas I will visit you every day. I will spend hours gawking at your wine and cheese selection. UMS, if you move to Dumas, I will seek you out for part time employment. I love you United Market Street.

COMING TO A FRONT PORCH NEAR YOU

Sort of like a jack o'lantern but more of a rhymes with trick o'lantern:

FATHERS BE GOOD TO YOUR DAUGHTERS AND DAUGHTERS WILL LOVE LIKE YOU DO

Yesterday, after receiving a rather large bill from Baptist St. Anthony's Hospital, I picked up some cash I had stashed with my dad and headed to the bank. I'll admit I had a lot on my mind, the majority being finances. I opened the envelope and found this written on the outside, "Looks like some of those hundreds had little ones just like you. Love you, Dad." and inside he had placed several "little ones" amongst the money we had been saving. My entire life has consisted of thoughtful gestures such as these. Sweet little acts that always bring tears to my eyes. My dad has taught me about compassion and kindess. He is truly the most giving and loving person I know. We, over the years, have built a relationship that I cherish and consider the foundation of my being. I believe the bond between a girl and her father is one of life's most important treasures. So as I listen to my own husband call our daughter honey and hum Johnny Cash in her hear, I would like to thank my father. I would like to thank him for whispering songs in my ear so that I may know the meaning of unconditional love and for teaching me to love myself.