I was driving down the road today in cold, gray, wet, and dreary weather. Tornado warnings, pouring rain, sinus headache, it wasn't starting out well. Normally this would be enough to set the dismal mood for the day until I turned around to see Senia Mae smiling away while slurping on her passie, pleased as all get out to be forward facing in her new "big girl" car seat. She sat there looking very similar to Ralphie in "The Christmas Story" wearing her puffy, pink outersuit, shoved into the safety restraints, that gave her the appearance of a very happy exploding marshmallow. I laughed out loud and she laughed with me, knowing that if something funny was happening she sure didn't want to miss it, and I decided to redirect my lack of enthusiasm and enjoy the day by listening to Christmas music in the car with my new daughter. The Judd's version of Winter Wonderland played softly in the background as I thought of how Gram would have appreciated the humor of this day, as well as the music, and how not a single day goes by that I don't think of her or how she would have handled the ins and outs of my daily life. Hearing the music made me think of how proud she was when my three year old little sister opted to sing "Silver Bells" rather than "Jingle Bells" at her preschool Christmas program. You would have thought we had our own version of Pavaratti, (Kristy, I'm not saying you were not good but...) Gram would put on her mock voice of the announcer of Radio City Music Hall and spout off "And now, ladies and gentlemen, Kristy Zajac will sing Silver Bells....." with so much pride in her eyes and love in her heart. Her girls were the very best singers!