Jillian's Journal

Christmas Eve, still no power, high of 10 degrees, low of ZERO today! Grandma and Grandpa have the greatest neighbors. Once Rick found out we had been bailing water, he insisted on bringing his portable generator over to power the sump pump so we wouldn’t have to bail water anymore. A perfect example of the Christmas spirit! Of course, I’ve no doubt that Rick keeps the Christmas spirit running all year round. So far, the biggest inconvenience is that someone has to stay home to keep watch over the kerosene heater so the house doesn’t burn down. Grandpa has this duty. I’ve been waiting a long time to meet my Great Grandmother, so Grandma, Mommy, Daddy, and I drove over to Grandma’s and Aunt Lois’s home. As I got out of the car, Aunt Lois opened her door to greet me. I smiled as soon as I saw her. I don’t normally smile the first time I see someone for the first time, but I sensed something special about Lois. I was so excited to finally meet my Great Grandma Schwartz. I love her so much! She has to be one the nicest people in the whole wide world. I’m so blessed to be a part of this special family she started a long time ago. Of the 1,200 or so pictures Daddy has taken with his new camera, the one he took today was the most important, a picture of four generations of women…my Great Grandmother Schwartz, Grandmother Kauser, my Mommy and finally me! I am blessed!