One of my favorite things to do when I was growing up was to listen to my parents’ albums. If you knew
my mom, you know she was an amazing lady and knew her children well. When she gave you a gift, she
said it was because it was something she wanted you to have, not something you wanted. In November
2021, my six siblings and I got together at Mom’s house. My sisters made a ‘thanksgiving style’ meal. It
had been a long time since just Mom and the 7 of us had a meal together. This happened often when
we were kids as Dad often got home well after supper. This turned out to be our last meal with just us
and Mom. After the meal, Mom asked my brother Rocky to get something out of her closet. It was a
portable turntable. She said it was for me and she had bought it a few years ago as a Christmas gift but
had forgotten to give it to me. She said she wanted me to have it and her box of albums.
I finally got to the box of albums today. A good project on a frigid winter day. I cried many times
reading the titles, and am crying writing this, remembering Mom singing along and dancing while still
cooking, baking, sewing, or any of the other multitude of things she did for us every day!
This is our first Christmas without Mom and Dad. They both so loved Christmas and watching kids of all
ages open gifts. I miss them both so much and am so grateful for the lessons they taught us. I am
looking forward to tomorrow when I get to be with my sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren and
see the delight on their faces as they open gifts.
Whatever you’re celebrating this season, I wish you joy and happiness. May your best day in 2022 be
equal to your worst day in 2023.
I didn’t listen to any of the albums today. I don’t think I’m emotionally ready. I’ve attached the list if
you’re interested.
Happy Holidays!
Artist / Album
Jim Reeves – Tall Tales and Short Tempers
The Needham Twins – Songs of the Needham Twins
Jim Reeves – Moonlight and Roses
Buck Owens – I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail
Burl Ives – Burl’s Choice
George Jones & Gene Autry – George Jones & Gene Autry
Sonny James – The Astrodome Presents
Grandpa Jones – Family Gathering
Conway Twitty – You’ve Never Been This Far Before
Various Country Roads
Various Famous Original Hits by 25 Great Country Music Artists
Buck Owens – Your Tender Loving Care
Connie Francis Connie
Herb Albert Greatest Hits Vol. II
The Jolly Fisherman – The Jolly Fisherman
Wayne Newton – Red Roses for a Blue Lady
Charlie Pride – In Person
Various Reader’s Digest Country & Western Music Jamboree
Donna Fargo My Second Album
Roger Miller – Wild Child
Buck Owens – Open Up Your Heart
Donna Fargo – Superman
Kim Carter – The Hits of Tammy Wynette
Hank Williams – Hank Williams Greatest Hits
Tex Ritter – Hillbilly Heaven
Sonny James – Love’s a Blessing
The Gospel Hour Sing Me A Song About Jesus
Conway Twitty ‐ Loretta Lynn Louisianna Woman ‐ Mississipi Man
Dean Martin – Everybody Loves Somebody
Wynn Stewart – It’s Such A Pretty World Today
Hank Thompson A Six Pasck To Go
Roy Clark – Honky Tonk
Ferlin Husky – The Hits of Ferlin Husky
Hank Thompson – The Best of Hank Thompson
Various Golden Oldies Country & Western
The Caroleer Singers and Orchestra – Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Various Seasons Greetings
Ferrante & Feicher – We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Bobby Helms – Jingle Bells
Jean Shepard – The Best of Jean Shepard
Johnny Bond – Ten Little Bottles
Red Sovine – Giddy Up Go
Glen Auna – Glen Auna and the Hawaii Revue
Don Ho Hawaiian 30 Favorites
Various Rock’Nroll Classics Volume I
Charley Pride – I’m Just Me
The United States Navy Band – The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Presents
Burl Ives – The Versitile
Hank Thompson – The Best of Hank Thompson And The Brazos Valley Boys
SSgt Barry Sadler – Ballads of the Green Berets
Frankie Yankovic – Just Because
Tennesee Ernie Ford Hymns
Six Fat Dutchman Polkas Greatest Hits
Various Polkas and Waltzes
Johnny Wilfahrt and His Orchestra – Whoopee
Six Fat Dutchman – A Waltz & Polka Party
Frankie Yankovic – Frankie Yankovic Plays the All‐Time Great Waltzes
Various New Ulm’s Greatest Polka Favorites
Jeff and Eddie Skeets Orchestra – Happy Time
Jeff and Eddie Skeets Orchestra – Half Ballroom and Half Polka Music
Elmer Scheid – Hoolerie Special
Herb Albert Greatest Hits – Herb Albert & The Tijiuana Brass