CHRISTMAS FOR NON CHRISTIANS???

The majority of people are Christian and celebrate Christmas in one form or another. But what about the non-Christians? It goes without saying that they do not celebrate Christmas.

So what is their impression of all the hala baloo accompanying this holiday. Do they think us all fanatics and greedy? Do they think of us in terms of materialism or in terms of dedication to a belief? Do they tire of the way life now has become obsessed with 12/25? Do they tire of hearing Christmas carols when they enter the grocery store to purchase a loaf of bread? Do they tire of all the gleaming decorations in the stores and on the streets?

It would be interesting to ask a non Christian about this. I am sure we Christians must amuse them to some extent......making such a fuss about one holiday. I am sure that many may think us hyprocrites.........pushing a spirit of love and giving for the month of December and then acting like heathens the rest of the year.

Do we demostrate the true meaning of Christmas to them. Actually I doubt it....we get so busy and so wrapped up on the tangible side of the holiday that we often cloud the intangible side of it.....the love and true spirit of peace on earth, good will toward men. I am sure the Christian shopping and driving lets their frustrations out in forms of pushing and shoving, of road rage, of impatience, etc.

Maybe it is time to reevaluate the real meaning of this blessed holiday and let our hearts and actions speak louder than our words and actions. Let us become a witness to the non-Christians that Christmas is much more than gifts, decorations, parties, etc. Let us demonstrate the real meaning of Christmas, not just in December, but all year long. What a wonderful place this old world would be for Christians and non Christians alike if we just had the strength of will power to do so.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: What famous Christmas “character” was created in 1939, in Chicago, for the Montgomery Ward department stores for a Christmas promotion? Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

TODAY'S TRIVIA: In A Charlie Brown Christmas, how many cents does Lucy charge for her psychiatric services?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month."-- Harlan Miller

FINALLY

Well, I finally got a chance to write on here. Gee, my last entry was about time and time sure got the best of me these past 2 weeks.

I have put my tree up, sent out the cards, finished shopping, wrapped all the presents, and managed to end up in the hospital for 3 days. But I am back on track.

At my age, anything of importance evicts childhood memories. Some memories sweet and some that should never have been created. When I think of Christmas, a couple of good memories always spring to mind. I always spent my Christmas holiday with my aunt and cousins. Even though I was 5 years older that my oldest cousin, I was always given the same as the others.
I remember Christmas mornings of anticipation and laughter and joy........only to have been experienced at my aunt's.

I do remember one Christmas when we lived on the farm near Letchworth State Park when the weather didn't allow me to get to Buffalo to spend the day with my aunt and cousins. My grandmother and I hiked up the hill to chop down a Chistmas tree. We dragged it back to the house and propped it up in the woodshed so it could thaw out before we started to decorate it.

The tree began to spread its limbs as if to caress the warmth. As the branches began to unfold and lay in proper order, the tree began to reveal and evict its inhabitants: a hugh family of field mice who had hidden deep within the branches for warmth and protection from the bitter weather!! Needless to say, that tree made it into the yard in record time and we never did end up with a tree that year.

Now my memories revert to memories of the years with my own children and then my grandchildren. In the peaceful shelter of being much older, I can now just sit back and relax in just enjoying th.e holiday without all the stress and endless hours of preparation. There are not a lot of perks in getting older, but this may one of them.....just enjoying the holiday as it was met to be enjoyed....with love and peace and tranquility.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: Whose slogan from 1950-1953 was "More Bounce to the Ounce"? Pepsi
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What famous Christmas “character” was created in 1939, in Chicago, for the Montgomery Ward department stores for a Christmas promotion?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Snowmen fall from Heaven unassembled.

TIME

Well, Thanksgiving 2008 is now a memory and Christmas is only 25 days away. Where does the time go? How much of our lives do we measure in time elements other than the obvious days, months, and years?

We seem to measure time by what is going to be....those things we anticipate. Turning 16 to get a drivier's license, turning 21 to drink, turning 65 to retire, etc. We get pregnant and we count down our lives in one month intervals until 9 months has been reached. We plan that once-in-a-life time vacation and count the days down until departure. As a chil, we impatiently counted down the days till Christmas.

We measure time past in elements of events......those things which have past, but still linger with us. We count the time that has past when we have lost a loved one by their death anniversary date. We remember those days when time seemed to stand still in our memories.....Kennedy's assissination, 9/11, etc. We can remember certain events in detail when we related them to some special memory of our own in the past.

When I was little and was anticipating a birthday or Christmas or summer vacation, etc., my grandmother used to say to me, "Don't be in such a hurry for time to pass...it passes fast enough as it is and as you get older, it passes more quickly with every passing year." I looked at her in total confusion. How could time pass faster at one age than another. A minute is a miniute, an hour is an hour, a day is a day, a month is a month, a year is a year, etc.

Somehow the mystery of her remark has caught up with me. We have all heard that old addage when we retire..."How did I ever find time to do the things I wanted to when I was working?"
I still can't explain the scientific underlying logic in her statement, but I can't deny that is is not true. It doesn't make sense and in reality is not possible by all laws of the universe and nature.

But is is also a reality. Every year time seems to pass even more quickly than the year before. Maybe we are just trying to put as much as we can in a 24 hour period. I don't know. What I do know is this: "How can it be 11/30 when I am still living in May!!!!!"

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA: Under whose administration was Thanksgiving declared a national holiday? Abraham Lincoln's
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: Whose slogan from 1950-1953 was "More Bounce to the Ounce"?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping," now I just "chunky dunk."

MY PRIVATE PLACE TO GIVE THANKS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving evokes many memories for me including a day of pride, one of my "firsts" and making do with what I had. I am sure all of us have such memories.

When I was in the 2nd or 3rd grade, my class put on a Thanksgiving play, to which all parents were invited. We were all told to wear the newest rage, white tennis shoes, as we wouldn't slip or slide on the slippery stage floor. Since my grandmother thought any shoe that didn't have straps and a sturdy heel was not fit to wear, this school's edict was a turning point in my life. I could as last get out of those stuffy and boring shoes and wear what was the fashion.

Since my grandmother worked, I really had no hopes of her coming to the play. When we walked out on the stage and I saw her sitting in the audience, I was delighted and managed to recite my on line with all that was in me. I can still remember it: "N is for the nuts we children all adore, we'll eat them on Thanksgiving Day and then we'll ask for more!" as I proudly held up the N card in Thanksgiving.

About the same age, we were invited to my cousin's grandmother's house for Thanksgiving dinner. This lady was dignified and quite proper, so I was on my best behavior. She even let me break up the lettace for the salad...this was the first time I was given any "adult" responsibility in a kitchen. You can imagine my pride in doing that.

There were so many people around and I wanted to give thanks for all my blessings, but there was no place of solitude to do so, except...........THE BATHROOM. I went into the bathroom, closed the door, lowered the toilet seat (out of reverence, I suppose), sat down and began to list all those people and things I was most thankful for. It may not have been orthodox, but I am sure He heard me.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: Who was the 1st African American performer to win a major Emmy award? Harry Belafonte
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: Under whose administration was Thanksgiving declared a national holiday?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump, and may your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump.

AFTER 8 YEARS

8 years ago, my soul mate was still alive, fighting cancer. But we both loved celebrating Christmas and continued on with our lives as if the cancer didn't exist. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday as it was for him.

We had a beautiful 7' tree which we decorated with ornaments we had purchased...ornaments that met something special to us. Once decorated, we lit the pine scented candle, turned on a TV station that just showed a fire place glowing and burning, put on Christmas songs, and snuggled on the couch. What a wonderful memory! All was well with the world.

That was the last Christmas we celebrated in that manner. The following year, we spent the days preceding Christmas in and out of the hospital. I brought a small tree up to his hospital room and put on the most special ornaments that we had purchased. We had assembled the 7' tree when he was still home, but never had a chance to decorate it. It was not the same. I know in my heart he tried to hang on until after Christmas...his biggest concern was making sure my daughter had purchased all the gifts on his list for me.

He died on December 13th. and so did I....well at least the best part of me. I left the undecorated tree up in the house for weeks. I couldn't bear to touch it. Christmas would never be the same for me. For the next 6 years, I avoided anything that had to do with Christmas. My heart was cold and unreceptive to Christmas.

This year a miracle happened. After 8 years, I am in the Christmas spirit and want to participate! I have purchased a small tree (I got rid of the 7' one years ago), pulled out the ornaments and smiled as I remembered my last happy Christmas. I have purchased the gifts and even have wrapped them. I can't wait to decorate my tree, even if is just me and Sheba who will see it.

Christmas is a time for miracles and for love. God gave me love....unbelieveable love for 3 years with my soulmate. Love exists beyond the realm of time. I still have my soulmate's love and no where is it written that earthly things will last forever. Dennis' body didn't, but his love has, just like God's has. The change in my heart is truly a real Christmas miracle!!!


ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: Kellogg's Variety Pack cereals came in 10 boxes with 7 choices...what were the 7 choices? Corn Flakes, Pep, Shredded Wheat, Rice Krispies, Corn Soya, Bran Flakes, Krunbles SEE PICTURE ON RIGHT SIDE OF PAGE.
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: Who was the 1st African American performer to win a major Emmy award?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: I can't remember if I'm the good twin or the evil one.

A COMPANY THAT REALLY CARES

About a month ago, I needed to have my furnace replaced. I called Musso Heating Company. They were so helpful.....they brought me a brand new heater to use for the night until they could get out the next day to install the new furnace so I would have heat.

2 days ago, I had to call them in the evening because the thermostat didn't seem to be working properly. It was about 8:30. My intention was to let them know I needed a service call and I was anticipating a wait of a few days at the minimum. No way!!! They sent someone out within the hour. He checked the thermostat and told me to keep an eye on it for a couple of days and if it still didn't work right, to call them back.

Well, I called them yesterday and they were out this afternoon. They replaced the thermostat without a question or hassle and all is well. I was very impressed by their concern that I had heat until they could get there. The office staff told me to call them, regardless of the time, if the heat went off for some reason and they would be out right away.

In this day and age when it seems everyone is out for themselves, this experience was refreshing. It reminded me of the days long long ago when people took pride in their products and workmanship. It is refreshing to know that a company could be concerned for the welfare of a stranger. It is refreshing that old fashion standards still exist.

It is a shame that all businesses can't run this way.....they would probably have more contented and satisfied customers and both their business and the customer would benefit from such workmanship and professionalism.


ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: On the TV show Topper, what was the martini drinking St. Bernard name? Neal
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: Kellogg's Variety Pack cereals came in 10 boxes with 7 choices...what were the 7 choices?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Going bra-less pulls all the wrinkles out of your face.

THE HUMAN SPIRIT

Sometimes I wonder if the human spirit is made of rubber. No matter what, it always seem to bounce back even in the most discouraging situations. It seems unbreakable...no matter what, it remains constant within us. Oh, circumstances test and try our spirits, but in the end it remains, if not in tact, at least presentable until it can heal.

A friend of mine just experienced a break up after several months involvement with someone. Those 7 months brought smiles, happiness, anticipation, and just that old I-can-hardly-breath reactions for my friend. I heard pain and rejection in his voice when he first told me of the break up. Within 2 days, he sounds almost happy. He understands what will be will be. He is making plans for his future, plans that do not include the other person and plans that are clearly not smothered in self-pity.

To quote part of this friend's blog: "Why are people so afraid of being alone? Because they think they're unworthy that anyone will love them again. I read through my blog entry of Friday and
realized I had given someone authority to say I wasn't good enough. I'm freakin' great! Smart as hell, healthy, a very big heart, debt-free, fiercely independent, great face, decent body and kind to a fault. I'm a total catch. Passionate and a little crazy, yes, but about things that matter." Is this a statement of conceit? No way! It is an evaluation of self worth....a statement that our human spirit has given us to cope with situations. This is the human spirit in a nut shell.

What makes us, as humans, bounce back when our spirits are so abused and used that we feel we just can't go on another day? What makes us bounce back up once we are taken down? What makes us force ourselves to keep going when all we want to do is give up? It is the will to survive. It is the spirit down deep inside of us all that pushes us to keep going in spite of the detours in the road. It is the same essence that has spurred man on ever since time began. Somewhere inside of us...way down deep inside us....we know we can go on in spite of ourselves. We just need to evaluate the situation and our own self-worth and take control.

The human spirit in resilent and will bounce back in spite of ourselves and our self-pity and confusion. All we need to do is go with the flow of disappointment and despair, but only for a little bit, then let go and let our inner spirit take control. We are destined, as man, to survive. It is as simple as that. We ARE survivors!!!

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: What was the first toy advertised on TV? Mr.Potato Head
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: On the TV show Topper, what was the martini drinking St. Bernard name?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A house becomes a home when you can write "I love you" on the furniture .