Happy Holidays

Tales from East Texas will be back next Saturday.

It’s a crazy thought, but I’m actually taking a few days off from writing—at least writing on Substack. I’ve been writing the book, and my brain is scrambled.

I have the great privilege of watching my 16-month-old grandson and oh, what a joy! It’s like going back 35 years and having my baby son again. They look nearly identical at that age.

Let me tell you about this grandbaby. He is the sweetest little fellow. His sister thinks he’s a terrorist, but all his grandfather and I see are smiles and giggles. He throws Dolly’s ball to her and she will fetch it and bring it back. And he just rolls on the ground laughing. He also gives the best hugs ever—he clings so tightly around my neck that I melt, something so soul-searing it has to be more than love. It’s bone deep.

I have eight amazing grandchildren, and I could not be more thrilled with each one. All have their own unique personalities, and I believe that each one will change the world for the better.

So, I’m going to take a few days off and enjoy these grandkids and dream of when my own children were little. Oh, how I would go back to those days in a heartbeat. The times were hard and lean and I realize that I didn’t appreciate what I had in those three babies of mine when they were young. We, my husband and I, were so busy trying to get ahead in careers and such that we didn’t take the time to remember every sweet moment we had with them. Now there’s an iPhone that can easily capture those moments.

So, y’all have a great holiday season. Hug your babies, however big they are, and take snapshots in your mind of the gentleness in their voices, of the love in their eyes, of the wonderful humans you created—and the domino effect of them creating wonderful little humans.

Such a blessing. Such a joy.

Merry Christmas and may you have a love-filled 2026.

—Carol