2000

The Bell of the Ball. As far as sentimental value goes, this one is by far the best. The summer before my senior year of high school my mother's parents moved in with us. My grandpa was only there a few weeks before he passed. But my grandmother made it all the way till the end of October. Well, Delta High's homecoming dance fell somewhere in September or October and my dear sweet grandma stayed up till 10:00 (way past her bed time) to send me off to the dance. I was their only granddaughter and this was the first time she was able to see me all dressed up for a dance (even though she was the one that purchased my Prom dress, she never got to see me in a formal until this night).

I'll never forget bending down to kiss her on the check before I headed out with Nate Bliss. She got the cutest smile on her face and whispered "He is very good looking young man." It was so sweet to hear my 80 pound grandmother compliment my 18-year-old date behind his back. I remember feeling like the sparkle in her eye all night long.

I'm really glad my parents went for this "bell of the ball" ornament (it actually does ring like a bell), not that I'd ever forget that night, but I'm glad I'll remember it every year around the holiday season. My Grandma Hardy and my Uncle Jack had to be two of the sweetest people Earth has ever known. I never heard either of them speak an unkind word. And they always made me feel so loved and beautiful. Every little girl needs a pair like them.