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<\/a>Best carrot cake ever!<\/p><\/div>\n
While enjoying bites of the most divine carrot cake ever made, our conversation settled upon quilts, like the ones I am making for gifts. Grandma asked if I had ever seen the beautiful quilt made for them by the local church. I had indeed. Then we both remembered my sweetie and I have used it at our family Christmas gathering. As my mind raced through the thoughts of that first Noel shared together, I remembered how under that quilt we were supposed to have a soft and cuddly fleece blanket. Grandma raced around the house looking for it to no avail. Eventually, we discovered a young redhead had snuck off to bed and was wrapped snuggly inside it. We survived, but were a little jealous of Reed\u2019s snuggly blanket.<\/p>\n
As we were cleaning up the table, I lovingly touched the cake stand. At my first birthday party Grandma did not own one, but wished she did. Her smile told the whole story when she unwrapped one that first Christmas. We all still laugh (and sometimes say in unison) Reed\u2019s clarification of the significance of this gift. Upon opening, he blurted out, \u201cThat\u2019s not just any cake stand! It\u2019s a Martha Stewart!\u201d For our little family, that little line is recited as precious way to breathe Reed\u2019s memory into our presence.<\/p>\n
Yet, the most special memory to me was the one Grandma had forgotten. One the drive home after our first year, Reed quietly said, \u201cYou know guys, I think Grandpa P is the real Santa Claus.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 After a little bit of questioning about this observation, he explained, \u201cDidn\u2019t you see how his eyes twinkle?\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s my boy! Keeping the magic of Christmas alive for us all – especially his younger siblings – while always loving Jesus more than most knew possible for twelve years old.<\/p>\n