The Book Of Me: Prompt 68 --Memory Tree

If you are not familiar with this wonderful project that was created by Julie Goucher of the Angler's Rest blog, please refer to this link: http://www.anglers-rest.net/book-of-me-written-by-you.html.

As we head into the festive / holiday season I want us to think of those who will not be with us for the season. If this was your memory tree who would you put on the tree and why?

This can of course be friends and family, but what about former pets and colleagues.

I am still playing catch up with these prompts but I can see the finish line closing in. The holidays have already come and gone. I still would like to honor those who were on my mind during the season. Even though they are no longer with me in the physical realm, I carry so many wonderful memories that they are always with me in spirit.


My grandparents --Harold and Ethel Murrell 
                            --Lemuel Harrison and Vadnie Harrison
                            --Mary Bryant Harrison Horton 

When I was little, the holidays meant spending time visiting the grandparents.  House to house we'd go, my parents, brother and I. There would be kisses and hugs and presents exchanged and houses filled with the smell of yummy goodness. Oohs and Ahhs over how pretty each tree was. 

My maternal grandmother's sisters --Eloise Bryant Grigsby
                                                        --Loris Bryant Gwyn Helton
                                                        --Rosa Bryant Sanders

I miss the sound of their voices and how each of them loved on me in their own special way.

My uncle Napoleon Sanders was reunited with his dear "Rosa" on December 14, 2014. He wanted to spend this Christmas with her in heaven.

My father's sister, Janice Murrell, we lost when I was 17. She was a special lady who loved to laugh.  She would take my brother and I on special outings to the city. We'd see plays or movies together and have lunch at McDonald's. 

Pets:

My paternal grandfather's first dog was named Shane. He was an early playmate of mine. My grandparents would watch my brother and I after school at their house.  Shane would be waiting there. He was a beautiful German Shepherd who loved to be petted. I would go on walks with my grandpa and that big gorgeous dog. 

My very first pet of my own was a cat named Harry. He was a yellow tabby. I believe we adopted him when he was about 10 weeks old. He was sweet and playful but became sick at about a year old. He came down with FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) and had to be put to sleep.

Rodney and Bobby were the next two cats that my parents adopted. Rodney was more a traditional yellow tabby. Bobby had tan and white fur. They were brothers who had to be adopted together. Bobby had the sweeter temperament. Both have joined Harry up in heaven.

On January 8th, another fury friend joined the other three. I went with my mother to the vet to put her cat, Roger, to sleep.  He lived a happy 13 years and will be missed.