12.23.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:41 pm by mywords
This thought occurred to me on Black Friday or Monday or whatever it was — the first shopping day after the American Thanksgiving when a story came over the radio that somewhere in the US (don’t remember where) a man was trampled to death and several people were sent to hospital when a Walmart opened for the day.
Is getting through the doors first so important that it’s worth killing someone? Apparently this man was over 6 feet tall and was given the post to open the doors, even though he didn’t want to. One of the people taken to hospital was a woman who was 8 months pregnant.
Over the last few days, as “shoppers rush home with their treasures” in between snow storms, this thought has come to me again. Having been cut off twice by people trying to merge, all I could do is shake my head and ask, “Is getting there first really all that important?”
Last week was a wild ride for me as I was out every night and tried to maintain a freelance career and get presents wrapped at the same time.
We really need to learn to slow down and not get so wrapped up rushing. What’s going to happen if that exact thing is not under the tree? If someone is going to be so put out that it isn’t there what does that say about that person – and, if it’s one of our children, what does that say about what we have taught our children.
Sometimes we get too caught up in the gifts – although they are fun (I like giving as much as I like receiving especially with a baby celebrating his first Christmas) – that it overshadows everything else. As a Christian, I try very hard to not let myself get carried away. When I find myself doing that, I have to reel myself in, take a deep breath and say, “It’s okay if we don’t have that thing.”
A couple of months ago, there was one gift for everyone that was going to be it and with my husband working the kinds of shifts he was working, I wasn’t expecting a whole lot for myself. But, some money did come in, recently – actually quite a bit of money – and I was able to purchase a few more things that I wouldn’t have purchased otherwise. So, this Christmas I’m celebrating the first Christmas in over 12 years where we weren’t scrimping and saving and wondering how we were going to pay for Christmas. For the first Christmas in 12 years our bank account is in the black!
My husband arrived home safely from work after several snow storms producing icy road conditions; my children are both healthy; we have a roof over our head, a furnace that works (WOOHOO!!), a church family, and on-line family and the pleasure of counting how many friends I have by the Christmas greetings that are arriving and that I send out.
I heard the most disgusting Christmas song I’d ever heard, yesterday. I don’t know who sings it, but my favorite radio station played this song and it was all about I want everything for Christmas. It had to be the most selfish song I had ever heard. This not too far away from the airing of the song The Christmas Shoes – possibly the most selfless song I’d ever heard. I quickly changed the station disgusted that this song focused so much on getting everything.
As I looked at the gifts wrapped that sat under our tree that my parents had brought, I thought, If those were the only gifts we had for Christmas I would be quite content with that. I had so much to be thankful for.
I challenge you to not let things get carried away. Look at all the things you have going for you. Let’s not be so “get” centered that we forget to be truly thankful.
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12.16.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 5:04 pm by mywords
Last night was our Ladies’ Night Out event at my church, which we try to have once a month. It came at the end of a very busy day – up since 5 and didn’t really stop until 12 hours later while I waited for the pork chops to cook.
One of the most fun activities of the evening, besides all the Christmas cookies I got to bring home, was when we got to share our most favorite Christmas memories and, I must admit, I have quite a few of those.
But, I thought perhaps those are the greatest Christmases of all. Not the gifts, the lights, the decorations, the trampling people to death to get that one gift that your child will probably enjoy playing with the box of instead – it’s providing memories for others. Those who may not have a job, this year, because of the economic down turn (I know there are 66,000 auto workers up here (Canada) without jobs this Christmas).
You never know what your gift either small or large, cash or gift, or kind word will mean to somebody else.
I grew up in the Salvation Army and often volunteered at the toy depot that my parents ran. I was one of the lucky ones that got to hand out memories to families. I know there are a lot of parents who don’t even celebrate Christmas that have their hands out and aren’t really truly thankful for what they receive – their only goal is to take what’s available. Then there are others that come to us as a last resort. They don’t know where else to turn. They’ve tried to do things themselves and are so disappointed that, for whatever reason, they are unable to provide a single gift for their children.
We had one mother like that come in that I will never forget. She had a little one (3 years old, I think) and a 6 year old. My friend and I were handed a garbage bag each and sent into the storage area to put together a memorable Christmas for these children. But, I think it meant more to the mother than it did to the kids. We emerged from the back with two bags full of toys and the mother burst into tears. She was so thankful that through us she could provide her children with something for Christmas. I will never forget that woman.
Nor will I forget the mother who came to us looking for groceries because there was too much month at the end of the money for her to provide food for her two teenage sons.
I will not forget the least paid of those I worked with on Parliament Hill who provided the most gifts for the toy drive.
I will not forget the Christmas that saw us strapped for cash, and the kindness of someone (was never told who did it) who went to the trouble to order gifts for us – they had Purolator stickers on them – which were presented to us one Christmas Eve. I was in tears as I wrapped them that night.
I will remember those children who will receive a small gift through Operation Christmas Child, this year, that normally have absolutely nothing. Not even a roof over their head.
I will remember the family that our church is sponsoring this Christmas and know that whatever I can give would be most appreciated.
I will remember those people, and how happy I was when someone cared enough about me to help me, and in turn help those where I can – and be thankful for what I have, because somewhere out there is someone who has less that I have been blessed with.
What can you do to create a Christmas memory for someone less fortunate?
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11.09.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:34 am by mywords
If you ever get a chance to see Tim Hawkins go and see him. What a riot! I just went and saw him with a friend. Our church hosted the event to a packed house. Well worth it.
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10.23.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 11:10 am by mywords
Thought it was about time I had one. Not sure how often I’ll be able to post because there is so much going on in my life right now. But, it is because I have so much going on in my life that I thought I needed to do this.
Hope you’ll enjoy hanging with me and that we’ll have opportunity to get to know each other as life goes on.
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