CityView Magazine - Fayetteville, NC
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1313620
CityViewNC .com | 9 Fayetteville Woman's Club's annual Christmas Tour of Homes. "So, Mac, what are you and Linda planning to do for the tour?" I asked about the couple's decorations. ere was somewhat of a pause. "I just do what Linda tells me to do," Mac Healy said. BITTERSWEET I love Christmas. It's bittersweet. I lost my mother on Dec. 17, 2009, and I struggle with these holidays each season. Still, at least for me, I enjoy the last-minute shopping before heading on Christmas Eve to visit Mama's grave at the little white church in Moore County, lighting a candle by her headstone and thanking God for giving me the blessing of a mother like mine. Christmas Eve is poignant – the most serene night of the year, and then Virginia and I will head to Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Southern Pines for the Christmas Eve candlelight service before heading home. We'll later share a silver cup of eggnog, with a dash of Jim Beam bourbon, by the Christmas tree, and toast our mothers, and those lost in our lives but forever loved in our hearts. e moment is tender for the both of us … and the bourbon isn't bad. "Can I open my Christmas present?" Virginia's all giddy. "Please, Bill. Just one." Just a little one, I'll tell Virginia. She's like a kid at Christmas, a little girl back in Rockingham long ago. en, we'll just take a moment by the fireplace, count our blessings and gaze at the Christmas tree in all of its holiday splendor. "It's beautiful," I'll say. "Just beautiful." e tree lights reflect off her green eyes, and our world is calm and peaceful. Until … "Is the Moravian star tilted on top of the tree?" the holiday decorating drill instructor wonders aloud. e kitchen stool isn't far away. Neither is the vodka. From all of us here at CityView, a happy holiday season and Merry Christmas to all. Contact Bill Kirby Jr. at bkirby@cityviewnc. com or 910-624-1961. Read more of Bill Kirby Jr. in our Insider Newsletter. Subscribe at cityviewnc.com. Fayetteville's Certified Accessibility Specialist 910-387-1225 www.nextdayaccess.com Handrails Grab Bars Pool Lifts Stair & Porch Lifts Residential Ramps (Purchase or rental) Ceiling & Patient Lifts Bathroom Safety Products STAY IN YOUR HOME LONGER & SAFER! • Handrails • Grab Bars • Pool Lifts • Stair & Porch Lifts • Residential Ramps (Purchase or rental) • Ceiling & Patient Lifts • Bathroom Safety Products STAY in your home LONGER & SAFER Co-Founders Bert Tharp and Dennis Long Automotive Aircraft Maintenance Construction Emergency Medical Services GEER UP AT FTCC! We are providing FULL SCHOLARSHIPS to qualifying students who register to train in the following areas! WWW.FAYTECHCC.EDU/CONTINUING-EDUCATION Visit the website today to see approved classes and see how to apply for the GEER Scholarship (Governor's Emergency Education Relief)! Healthcare Industrial/Manufacturing Information Technology Transportation