Kevin, Lynda and Kristopher...

I love this picture of the three kids together because it's such a typical snapshot of our life.  Lynda is smiling perfectly and Kristopher is looking at the two of them instead of me with the camera.  If you look closely at the picture as I did you will notice Kevin's hands.  His hands are in a clapping position.  We had no doubt sung Happy Birthday to Lynda to get her attention and for her to smile.  Kristopher was turned looking at Lynda because he was just finishing the song.

The picture is perfect to me because it demonstrates Christmas with Lynda and the boys.  To both Kevin and Kristopher, Lynda was just their sister and an integral part of the family.  It wasn't unusual at all for them to sing Happy Birthday to Lynda in December even though her birthday was in September.  It was her favorite song and it made her happy.  They knew that she would have very little interest in what was inside the gift boxes but she would be happy playing with the paper, boxes or bows.  She would sit on the floor and look at the lights on the Christmas tree and later walk into the kitchen to her place at the table for coke and miniature marshmallows.  The boys would eventually go back to their rooms and do their thing.  We would take Lynda riding to look at the lights around Oxford and then take her back to NMRC dressed in her pajamas and ready for bed.

These are the pictures that capture moments of the story of my family throughout the years.  They illustrate some of the memories that are permanently recorded in my heart.  These pictures allow me to hold a reminder of a memory that lives in my heart and to share it with you.