The Christmas Treasure

Going home for Christmas was a tradition my children and I honored annually.  We lived away from the family and determined that we would live independently without assistance.  Oh we had blessings all along the way from those friends who were close to us but we were our own family until Christmas came.  We always went home to see my Mama and Daddy and their other grandparents, as well as all of the cousins, my siblings, and friends we had stayed close to even though we were not living there.  The Christmas I will share with you is the exception to all of our rules.  We did not see ourselves as needy or poverty ridden.  We lived well and my job afforded us a beautiful place to live with conveniences and amenities that we thoroughly enjoyed.  This year I had managed to overcome an auto accident, thankfully it was a financial strain and not physical, and I still had $40.00 to spend for Christmas.

The dreaded moment was to tell everyone we would not be able to go home.  The grandparents were the saddest, so at the very last moment they made their own arrangements.  My Mom and Dad decided to come to see us, leaving a very large family to have Christmas without them.  Needless to say, we did not tell them why we could not come, just that we could not.  The other grandparents mailed the children the gifts they had for them, knowing they would arrive after Christmas.

For many families this would have been the saddest and most depressing Christmas ever, but not for us.  We were used to coping and staying together through all of our troubles. Tony was probably the saddest because it was his opportunity to duck hunt, and go the woods, and be one of the guys.  He truly loved the dogs and duck hunting. Leigh was a lot like my Mama, she just took it on the chin and smiled.  We managed to find a Christmas tree and we decorated it joyously, as always.

I really was in a dilemma.  What could I buy for their Christmas gifts?  There would only be one.  They were teens in high school and everything was expensive.  I went to the mall and sat in the center of the mall and tried to think of something really wonderful but it did not happen.  I went back home still hoping to think of something.  Tony announced that he needed new jeans and that was a relief to know what he needed.

I was running out of time so I went to the mall and I walked in and out of the stores.  Alllllll of the stores. Some two or three times.  I walked into a card shop and there were books on display, so a break from shopping was in order by now and I could not resist the wonderfulness of checking out books.  It was there on a rack, I found my daughters most treasured Christmas gift.  A book. The book was written in the forties.  “Leaves of Gold”.  As I read through the pages I realized that there were many things in this book that I wanted to share with my daughter.  We just never know what may happen or why. 

She graduated from high school, completed her Bachelor’s at a private Christian college and then the wall of Russian came down.  She was sure of her mission and off she went to Russia.  The book went with her everywhere she decided to be a part of the world.  I am sharing this story because a couple of days ago, she said to me, “Mother I still have that book and I treasure it.”  She has two teens of her own now. Very often we think inside of our little world and forget about the exterior or the people living out there.  She was a part of other people’s lives and she made a great difference for them.  She still does, because she is still a teacher only now, in America, and in a public school.  Those things I wanted her to know but I just never had found a way to verbalize them all, came from a book.  Imagine that. Imagine how much she shared from that book and is still sharing without giving it much thought.  The people out there, are as stressed and pressured as we are and that is okay because today’s world gives us very little time, so Christmas is even more important.  We can pause and look around us and be somebody’s angel today. After all, you never know how far $20.00 can go.

God Bless you and Merry Christmas.  I hope to be here again tomorrow, but in the event that I am not, please know that I wish you the most wonderful Christmas.

Merry Christmas David

Good morning everyone.  I have to thank my sweet GreenTree friend WT Anderson, for writing and singing this beautiful tribute to my little Brother David.

David, Christmas is not Christmas without you.  I will always miss your sweet silly grin, starched shirts, jeans,  boots and big hat.  Mostly I miss you, my dear brother you taught me how to love unconditionally.  Merry Christmas sweet boy.  I hope the angels are enjoying your sweet voice as you sing to the father.  I love you and thank you.

Love In Your Heart (Never,Never,Never Give Up)

Love in your heart (never,never,never give up)                         song by wt anderson


when your life is a frown,
you've lost your laugh,
and the clowns in your car,
they just seem so sad.

and there's distance between,
and you don't know why,
your life and your dreams,
they don't see eye to eye.

..............never give in, never give up
..............never look down, when the sun shines above,
..............never begin to feel that there's not enough
.............................love in your heart
.............................never, never, never giving up on you,
.............................love in your heart,
.............................never, never, never giving up on you.


.....i was a bonafide cowboy,  in 'Nam a U.S. Marine,
.....a country pickin' good ol' boy, strumming, running with the agent orange machine,
.....the ol' red white and blue,
.....through the rockets red glare, (bombs bursting through air)
.....'till them shattering shells
.....burnt like hell,
.....burned me down, clean as a  prayer.

whenever you're down,
feeling so sad,
and the clowns in your car,
they can't even laugh.

and there's distance beweeen,
and you don't know why,
your heart full of dreams,
and what you see with your eyes,

.................never give in, never give up,
.................never look down, when the sun shines above,
.................never begin to feel that there's not enough
.................................love in your heart
.................................never, never, never giving up on you,
.................................love in your heart,
.................................never, never, never giving up on you,


....................................................and what you don't understand,
....................................................just smile and walk away,
....................................................let the world stand where it stands,
....................................................the sun shines anyway,
....................................................the sun shines anyway,
....................................................the sun shines anyway,
...................never give in, never give up,
...................never look down, when the sun shines above,
...................never begin to feel that there's not enough
....................................love in your heart,
....................................never, never, never giving up on you,
....................................love in your heart,
....................................never, never, never giving up on you.

Mama Had An Angel

Mama had an Angel visit her when I was just a child, but I well remember the night the Angel visited.  It started early one evening when Mama became very ill.  We children knew she was ill but we had no idea what was wrong. To remember all of the children’s questions and all of the things we heard the adults talking about would take half a book to tell but it was a horrendous night. The ambulance came and gathered her up and Daddy put all of us children in the car and we all went to the hospital.

 We were sitting in the front lobby of the hospital with our Pastor and he was trying to keep us engaged in conversation so we would not cry or worry.  Daddy came and told us she had to have emergency surgery.  All of the adults were telling us how great it was going to be and we should not worry.

Then Daddy came and told us there was a problem.  He sat down and looked at us and told us that Mama had surgery but she had starting hiccupping and unless the hiccups stopped she could die.  We were horrified and our Pastor was praying aloud.  I know I was praying as were the other children.  The minutes just kept dragging and finally Daddy came and told us she had quit hiccupping and she was going to be fine.  Well that was a long night and the days that followed were long also. Finally she was home and would have to stay in bed for six weeks.

While everyone was on their best behavior, we were still not allowed in her room.  One day I snuck in there and she was happy to see me so I jumped up on her bed and sat there.  I talked a blue streak about everything that everyone was doing and all the problems and trouble that little children can get into.  She soon told me that she did not think she should be laughing so maybe she could talk a little bit. That is when she told me her side of the story about while she was in the hospital.

“I was lying on a gurney in what I thought was a hall but I later learned I was in the recovery room after having two-thirds of my stomach removed.  I had awakened thirsty and my throat was sore but no one could give me water because the Doctor wouldn’t let them.  You see I had to have a tube in my mouth for the surgery and it had dried my throat out.  Then I started hiccupping.    It hurt so bad I was crying.  The nurses were all around me and I tried but I couldn’t stop.  Then the Doctor came and told me to please try because if I didn’t I would have a strong chance of dying.  He was kind but he was blunt.  I was so scared and not for me but for you kids.  I didn’t want to die but I just couldn’t quit hiccupping. I had my eyes closed and I was praying and crying.  That is when it happened.  An older lady in a coat and a hat came to me and smiled.

Then she said, “Honey do you want to live?”

“Oh yes I do. I have nine children and I need to live.”

She placed her hand on my tummy ever so lightly because I had been cut open and sewn up and my tummy was too sore to touch.  I could not feel her hand but I could feel it too. 

She smiled, “You will be fine honey.”

I went sound asleep after that and the next thing I remember was a nurse telling me that she needed to get me ready to move into ICU.

“Where is the little lady in the hat?”

“There isn’t anyone here. Absolutely no one is allowed in here.  Maybe you dreamed about her.”

Well I knew she was there and she was not a dream. 

“Nurse I think my hiccups are gone.”

“Oh yes they are.  That is why we are moving you to ICU but only for a couple of days then you will go into a room and have visitors. Okay?”

“Well sweet girl of mine never forget this story because I promise that Angels are all around us and they do help us when we need them.  The little lady was truly an Angel and God sent her so I would know that he loved us so much that he would send us an Angel.”

I was discovered after that and the older girls ushered me out of Mama’s room.  I knew that I knew I could always count on Angels and especially on God because my Mama had an Angel.

Is this the year for your Christmas Angel?

 

Why Do We Need Stories

Good morning.  I am reposting this today for our newest subscribers.  I too, am reminded anytime I read it.h

Good morning.  Before we read stories I wanted to share with you the reason stories are so important.  Have you ever experienced a day that was out of your control from beginning to end? Man, oh man, I have.  I have awakened late and discussed it with my cell phone that did not alarm. I then discussed it with the coffee pot that was not prepared the night before while, I poured coffee grounds into the pot itself.  I have arrived to work wearing two shoes identical, well almost, only difference was one shoe was black and the other was navy blue.  Hiding my feet was not an option.  Meetings, all pressure oriented and clients that could not be pleased!  Their day was worse than mine.  Empathy was my only solution and that did not produce money.  I failed to go to the ATM so lunch was a coke and crackers.  Finally I am on my way home.  The day was as messed up as the grammar in this explanation of why we need stories.  But....a glass of wine and a book of fiction can take the edge off.  I feel that there will be better things ahead for the next day.  Take my day give it to a single Mom and imagine the additional problems that could happen.  Depressing!!!  But...a glass of wine or a cup of tea with thirty minutes to read a short story of fiction and relaxation is there.   Do we need stories?  Oh yes we do.  People stories, animal stories, ghost stories, and  it doesn't matter if the people in the story or the place in the story are also make believe.  Just read them and smile because sometimes it is the best relaxation you will find.

A Most Unusual Christmas Tree

Good morning everyone.  Today has already begun with lots of sunshine and the temperature is a warm 71 degrees and we are expecting 84 to hit that old thermometer.  There were many days of sunshine and lots of days of ice or rain in the Southeast during the holidays, and we had our share of all of the white stuff that is supposed to make you glad that it is Christmas.

Today our story is about a teenager who had one exact job every Christmas.  Trust me the job was not difficult but like most teens he had a habit of putting it off until the last minute.  I was a single Mom most of their lives and we lived away from home so everything was up to us.  Oh we had a wonderful church family and friends, but I was pretty independent and I wanted them to learn to be self-sufficient also.  His one job was to scout out a tree and to try to avoid tree lots he and his friend went to the Tennessee woods, which was just across the state line, and the choices were great.

It was Friday night and we were patiently waiting for them to find a tree. High school football season was over, his friend played football and he was in the band, so there was really nothing pressing they had to do but find a tree.  Mike picked up Tony in his pick-up truck with a ladder, rope and a chainsaw in the back and they left early.  They had all day Friday but apparently the tree did not materialize for them and we were still waiting.  Finally I heard them on the stairs.  Laughing and out of breath they were lugging a large freshly cut Christmas tree up to our front door.  Through the living room and out to the balcony they went to cut and prepare it for the stand. I was cleaning up trash behind them as fast as I could and I quickly spread a white sheet on the living room floor to set the tree on once it was ready to be upright.

The big moment arrived and we, my daughter and I along with the two boys, stood in the dining room to view the sight.  That was one crooked tree!  Now I wanted to be nice because apparently they had spent their day trying to find a tall tree that was nice and full. 

“Well,” I said. “It is full and smells wonderful so I guess we could use fishing line and pull it to a straighter position.”

“Oh yeah,” they chorused.

They headed for the balcony storage room to retrieve the fishing tackle box.  I retrieved the step ladder from the hall closet and they went to work.  Constantly conversing with my daughter they pulled and re-pulled and eye-balled that tree until everyone seemed happy and then they attached the fishing line to the ceiling. It wasn’t long before the lights were spread around it and everyone took a break for pizza and coke.  Our tradition for actually decorating would be honored on Saturday evening because we baked cookie and decorated the tree together and called it our tree party.  The hard work was done and I thanked them graciously.  Mike told us all goodnight and headed for home. 

Saturday evening was lots of fun and Mike told me his Mom and Dad would come to our house for Christmas Eve since we would leave early Christmas day to go home and visit our family.  Cookies were baked, music was on the stereo, and we were excited as we hung all of the garland and ornaments.  My daughter, Leigh and I had decorated the house during the day so we were all happy.

Sunday morning we dressed for church and for once we did not have to threaten Tony to get him out of bed.  The day was promising.  Then it happened.

We were in the car driving to church and we passed a house that we passed all of the time, but something was different about that house.

“Oh my gosh Mom,” Leigh yelled. “Someone chopped down old Mr. Grouch’s tree!  Well no one will make fun of him because he never decorates anything!  You would think, though that with a huge Christmas tree growing in your front yard, you could at least put lights around it.”

From the back seat I heard and humph, then, Tony remarked, “Who would want that crooked old tree.”

Silence fell over the car and remained there until we were on our way back home from church and I became brave, disturbed, irritated, and all of the adjectives Mothers use when they suspect a teen of bad behavior.

“Tony did you and Mike cut down the tree?”

“Well Mom we went to Tennessee so of course we had to cut down a tree.”

“Dumb one, Mom means Mr. Grouch’s tree,” Leigh stated rather rudely.

“Why would anybody want that old grouchy man’s tree?  Not us for sure,” was Tony’s mumbled reply.

I didn’t press the issue but I knew if they were guilty the Pastor would know and he would share the information with me eventually so I decided to wait.  To this day Tony, Mike, and the Pastor have kept their mouths shut!  Denial at its highest pinnacle, I say.  From time to time I bring it up again but I only get denials.  I would like to believe the Pastor took care of the problem and punishment without involving me, but I still have a nagging doubt.

The joy of Christmas reigned in our little house on Christmas Eve with everyone there to enjoy dinner and open gifts.  I still wear the beautiful gift Mike’s Mom gave me that Christmas and I promise to never forget the deep love and caring that someone or two someones’ had for two teen boys.  I paid that forward and will always pay forward forgiveness when I know a lesson is learned.

 

Christmas Shopping In Kentucky

Good Sunday morning everyone.  Once again God has granted us a beautiful day to enjoy, so get outside if you can and enjoy it.  Today’s story is funny! It is a story of three women who exercised their right to Christmas shop wherever they chose.  It was Lynn, Leigh, and me.  We were determined!!!

Kentucky has its moments of inclement weather especially after Halloween and this Christmas was no exception.  We hired two young women; I knew well and trusted completely, to sit with the grandchildren while we women finished our Christmas shopping.  My husband.  Oh yes, my husband was in charge of everything and control has no greater purpose than a man in charge who will not bend.  It is like the boy who cried wolf!  When he was so in control of everything single, small, thing you ignored him if you had back up and today I had back up; two other women who wanted to shop with me.  We had a small mall in my town and I had already shopped it out so I wanted to take the toll-road and go to Indiana and shop! WalMart did not have the toys we wanted.  They had sold out long ago.

I called out to him, “Okay we are going shopping Perry so we will be back this afternoon.”

“That’s fine. Watch out for the traffic and be careful.  Stay in town.  Do not leave town today.”

Yeah, right.  I thought.  So off we went.  Three women in my 1968 Buick Wildcat and we headed straight for the toll-road.  We laughed and chatted all of the way to Indiana and when we arrived I took us straight to my favorite tea parlor.  We ordered a desert and a pot of tea. We laughed and talked and drank our tea then Leigh, my daughter, suggested we go to Toys R Us and shop.  I paid the check and we found a place to park at Toys R Us.  We shopped, and we shopped, and we looked at everything and changed our minds ten times but finally we were done.  We all paid for our gifts and headed for the car. 

“Oh my gosh, it’s snowing,” said Lynn

“Mom we had better head for home,” answered Leigh.

“Well let’s hurry and get across the bridge before it freezes,” I said.

We made it across the bridge slowly in that big old car with no front wheel drive and lots of weight. Things were progressing rather rapidly and the toll-road was already iced and snow was drifting so I knew it would be a slow crawl home.  Thirty two miles in this mess with two toll booths.  I looked for a snow covered spot and tried to stay close to the right edge of the road.  Leigh kept encouraging me and I was just trying to stay calm.  I hated driving in snow or on ice.  I neither trusted the car nor myself so I needed to be encouraged.  Lynn sat in the back and prayed and we knew she was so we were going on with grateful hearts. 

“Mom you will have to slow down to make the toll stop.  Please just do it slowly and start now.  Okay?” Leigh told me.

My knees were starting to quiver but by God’s grace I managed to stop the car and pay the toll. The toll booth operator was saying something about the road ahead but my mind was a blur and I had to go through regardless.  I had watched Perry maneuver through worse, much, much worse than this so I just had to think and I could do it.

“I can feel the car starting to slip a little,” I said when we were about six miles from the exit.

“Mom do you thing the round-about will be slick too?”

“Oh Lord yes.  Worse than this probably.”

“What do you think we should do?”

“I am not going to get off because it will dump us on a street west of town and I think I can maneuver better on the street.”

“Ok.  I am sure you can do this.”

Then the tears started.  I just couldn’t help it.  I started crying.

“Stop it Mother.  You can do this.  Besides we are depending on you to do this.  The whole family is depending on you right this minute so stop crying and do it.”

I think I had an angel out there someplace because the highway was not quite so slippery and I could feel the slush.  Then we were on a city street and very slowly and carefully I made the way back across town. 

Out of the car and into the house and my husband was out looking for us.  Oh Lord.  That was not good.  The babysitters’ Dad was waiting with the children and his daughters and he was on the phone with his wife.  The way to their house was indiscernible to say the least and she was frantic.

“Mama you are home,” Lynn’s babies cried as they ran to her.

Well the rest is history, so to speak.  I know we were horrified but I cannot say we would never do it again.  After all once a woman knows she can do something, she knows she can do it.  So there.

Folks in Florida

Well I have apparently not written well today.  Florida is almost it's own country and everyone in the world is attracted to this beautiful state and I believe the Treasure Coast is a paradise all of it's own.  Since the world is present here, there all kinds of people here and I was not prepared for the differences.  Please know that I have wonderful friends here and family.  I am here by choice.  I wish all of you a beautiful day.  If you read Do It Anyway, you will better understand this short message.