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Dee McLelland: A Halloween remembering my mom
Dee McLelland new

I thought I would mention Mother again, you know, the one who tackled a police car. Mom would have turned 78 on October 25, this was the first Halloween without her.

For a grown man, I’m a big baby when it comes to horror movies and scary things. It was Mom who enjoyed the holiday and really enjoyed passing out candy and treats for tons of years. She particularly enjoyed having a beer or so while handing out candy and even dressed up plenty of times.

I missed her this Saturday, but a neat thing happened when my wife started dressing up our dogs in costumes that we have acquired over the years.

Several times the phrase, “Mom would have liked that,” or “She would be laughing at this one,” would come up. Mother loved dressing up her dogs, and she would have loved the impromptu fashion show Deb put on.

Of course, Halloween came and went, but I also know the holiday season will start rolling along and there will be times when Mom will pop into my brain and in my heart. It happens to a lot of folks my age, they lose a parent and have to move on with traditions and with making more memories, but understanding the first ones are tough, well, it does put things in perspective.

I’ve mentioned before I’m lucky to have Deb and Halloween made me realize again that we can still enjoy the holidays and make more memories with the kids and friends it just might be a little tougher this first time around.

We have a great photo of me, Deb, Mom and Deb’s mother Virginia a few years ago when we were at the beach on Christmas day. The sun was shining, the sand was white, and the water was blue. It was a great photo, and it was also on the heals of our mom’s spending Christmas Eve with us.

We laughed, played games, had a few drinks, and even had our mom’s paint Christmas ornaments for us. We cooked a big Christmas dinner and the photo at the beach was the icing on the proverbial holiday cake. I may have taken that day for granted then, but you can be assured I have been smiling while writing this, and, also shed a tear or two. I think we have all been through some tough times over the last eight months or so and it almost seems fitting that we get a break and have some holiday cheer. Of course, we are going to get the warnings about gathering, but this holiday season, I’m going to say this one’s for Mom.

Deb’s mom will be spending time with us during the holidays and I think we will cherish her visits as we always do, but I also think having a good time, laughing, having a drink, would have been exactly what mom would have loved.

Maybe we should all take a little break from the madness for a little bit this season and laugh a little louder, spread a little more cheer and even reflect on the good things we have and all the things we should be thankful for. Maybe it’s a great time to put some of our differences to the side and find some common ground on the joys of the upcoming holiday season and enjoy the times with our family and friends. Maybe reflect on past fond memories of holidays past and what they mean to you and what you have to be thankful for.

After all, isn’t that what the season is all about?

McLelland is publisher of the Bryan County News.

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