HAPPY NEW YEAR

Here it is New Year's Eve and it is hard to believe another year has gone by.  This one seems to have sped up and went way too fast.  But in one way, I'm glad it is behind me as it wasn't the best for me.

In January, Melanie and I had to make an emergency trip to Iowa to take care of my mother and got her safely settled into the nursing home where we knew she would receive the care she needed.

We also received a record snowfall after we returned and for a week were housebound, literally.  My car was in a 2 foot snowbank for almost a week as the cold temps wouldn't melt the snow.  Mail service was suspended for 4 days due to bad road conditions and Melanie and Zach were unable to get to work as the roads were closed.  We just aren't prepared for weather like that so it just crippled the whole area.  We received a total of 27 inches which was a record for a short time period as we got it over the span of 24 hours.

In February, there was chaos at the beginning of the month and controversy about the care my mother was receiving by her youngest daughter.  She was removed from the home after lies were told and promises made to her and then I received the sad news that she had passed away in March.  It was a blow that my brother and I were not expecting and has caused us both a lot of heartache but it has brought us closer together.   I think the hardest part is the Sunday phone calls between my mom and me.  It was our day to chat and for a long time I wanted to pick up the phone to call her and there are still times when something happens that I think I should call her.  I do miss her terribly.

I was glad to see spring come but Melanie's job grew precarious when they made some rather sudden and extreme changes so she began to think about moving back to Tulsa and when she found a job, she sold the trailer and packed up to move there.  It was rather lonely at first but I talk with her daily and she's been back to visit.

Then summer arrived and believe me, we thought we had it bad in the winter but summer showed us just how hot we can get too.  With temps of 100+ for 27 days and some days we saw 114 or 115 on the thermometer, it was HOT!  The yards died and we had the threats of fire so it wasn't an enjoyable summer but I think I appreciated it more than the cold and snow we'd had earlier.

The only nice thing about the summer and the heat, I didn't have to mow my yard each week. LOL!  But when the heat cycle broke and the rains came, it became a chore as I'd have to try to mow between the rainy days and hope the grass was dry enough to cut.  

In August, my friend Betty, suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital.  We all knew she was having problems with her memory and suspected Dementia.  She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Alzheimer's and once she was stabilized from the heart attack she went to a nursing home. But the first of November she was moved back to the house and home health service came daily to tend to her plus Spike took care of her the rest of the time.  I would go sit with her so he could go to the store or Dr. appointments and it was so sad watching my friend slowly slip away to a world only she was aware of.

She was hospitalized after the first of December when she developed bed sores.  Even though she was being turned, she still had some and with her diabetes, they got worse so the doctor finally admitted her and they did surgery but the said the diabetes was affecting the healing and she grew steadily worse.  She had also become incapable of swallowing so had to have a feeding tube inserted.  But the week before Christmas, the doctors told the family that it was hopeless and they removed the tube and called in Hospice to take care of her. Sadly my friend passed away peacefully on Christmas morning.  I will miss her. 

We moved here in 2005 and made friends with Betty and her husband Spike and during the past few years we have been good friends as well as neighbors.  My husband Harold and Spike shared a lot of the same interest and Betty and I always found things to talk about and when the four of us were together, we had a good time visiting and laughing.  Spike and Betty continued to show me that friendship after Harold passed and now I hope to help Spike through this period.

As this year comes to a close, I want to put all the bad memories behind me and look forward to the new year.  I'm thankful that I have survived another year and I pray that my ailments will not worsen this next year so I might enjoy another year and hopefully one not so full of woes and pain and losses.

If all goes well, my brother Bob, will be coming to visit me in the spring.  We plan to just relax and enjoy the solitude and catch up on our visiting.  Of course, we will try to get some fishing in too. LOL!  And hopefully I can adjust my budget so that I can replace my old car with a new or newer one.  Got my eye on one kind but will have to see what I can get.  But the Taurus is getting old,  at 14 years and a lot of miles.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful new year ahead of them with all good things and blessings coming your way.  I thank God each day for the blessings I do have and try to look on the positive side if I can.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Every year I try to write a poem or short story for the family and this year I've been kind of lax but while working around the house this morning, I started thinking and came up with a silly little version of Twas The Night Before Christmas.  So for all my family and friends, enjoy and may that big old boy in the red suit visit you.  And when you are finished opening your gifts, remember this day and the real reason we celebrate.  Light a candle and sing Happy Birthday to our savior, Jesus.

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas

And all  through the house.

Not a creature was stirring as

The cat’s asleep all curled up with the catnip mouse.

The stockings were hung with care,

But with no chimney,

They hang from the back of the chair

Hoping Santa will fill them there.

The kids were in bed

With dreams of presents swirling in their heads.

Momma was in her flannels, and me in mine.

Were all comfy and fine.

Just as I lay down, I heard such a clatter,

I jumped out of bed to see what the heck was the matter.

I peeked out the window to see the lights all aglow,

And a big ole sleigh sitting out in the road.

There was no runners but big wheels that

Crunched the gravel below.

The reindeer were pawing and

Munching on dry grass as there was no snow.

I heard noises coming from downstairs,

So quietly I tiptoed down and avoided the squeaky stair.

I heard the back door open and close,

There was a man all dressed in red from head to toes.

I watched and I waited to see what he was going to do,

I noticed a sack with packages in red, green and blue.

He placed them under the tree,

Oh, I hope there is one for me.

I missed the bottom step and fell

Sprawling all over the floor.

The jolly old man with his rosy cheeks

And a belly that shook like a bowl full of jelly

Took a look a me and turned to flee.

I started to yell but he ran out the door and

I could see him no more.

I ran to the window as he jumped in his sleigh

Yelled at those reindeer to be on his way.

But I did hear him holler as he drove down the street,

Merry Christmas to all.  Now get back to sleep.

Copyright (c) 2011 by Barbara Foster

May the blessings of this day be with you and your family all year.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Tis The Season

It is the season of holiday cheer and it is filled with excitement and anticipation, colored lights and decorations, shopping, parties and most of all, a time for families to gather to celebrate not only the gift giving but also the true meaning of this special day.  Whether you attend an evening service on Christmas eve or an early morning service on Christmas day, it is one where we all come together and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus.

A few years ago, I ran across a little article about the symbols of Christmas.  It has stuck with  me and when I decorate, I look at the colors and decorations and it comes back to me.  I'd like to share it with you.

CHRISTMAS SYMBOLISM

Evergreens - Everlasting Life

Wreaths - Christ's never ending Love

Candles - Christ, Light of the World

Straw - The simplicity of the Manger

COLORS

Red - Blood

White -Purity

Green- Everlasting Life

I think everyone gets into the spirit of the holiday with the brightly wrapped presents under the tree and the secrets passed around and of course the fun part of the season with Santa Claus.

When my two daughters were growing up, we always had the traditional Christmas with presents from Santa and hanging of the stockings in anticipation of his visit, but we also had one other thing.  Each year the Nativity set was placed in a special place with an open Bible in front of it open to the story of the Jesus birth.  We always tried to let them know it was Christmas and it was fun with Santa but the real meaning of the day was Jesus birthday.

I remember growing up myself knowing it was a two fold day and my mother used to bake a cake or maybe  cupcakes so we could celebrate his birthday.  I did for a few years but as the girls got older, we eliminated it and now I wish I had kept up the tradition.

In the times we live in now, the true meaning of Christmas is getting lost.  But at the same time, I see little deeds being done that is keeping the true meaning alive.  The red kettles and bell ringers are still here and I see people putting in change and bills.  Which means that they know giving is better than receiving, especially for those who are in need.  And these days, there are many who are in need.  I see people giving gifts to those who are in need, whether it be food, toys for the children or money to help their fellow man.  It is another symbol of this day - Giving.  Just as God gave us his son and the wise men gave him gifts, we give gifts to each other and to strangers in need.

I cringe when I hear "Happy Holidays" and shout back "Merry Christmas."  This is Christmas and we shouldn't try to hide it or disguise it.  December 25 is the recognized day to celebrate the birth of Jesus and it should be revered just as any religious holiday regardless of beliefs.  No one should condemn another because of the way they celebrate the day or what they call it.  Politically correct does not apply here.  Just as Christians do not condemn or belittle another because they do not celebrate the way we do or respect this day.  We are not here to judge once another but to respect and honor each other and at this time of the year, we should all be peaceful and loving and giving and not spiteful or disrespectful.

Since when did the Christmas tree change to a holiday tree?  It is the tree that is set up for Christmas and decorated with Christmas ornaments, so therefore it is a Christmas tree.  The same thing for lights, although I know some use the colored lights for decoration all year.  But for the special displays and lights, they are Christmas lights.  They reflect Christmas, not a holiday. 

To me, holiday is a day that is a special day, a day off from school or work but it should not be used generically.  Each holiday has a name and should be called by that name.  I've never heard anyone say Happy Holiday for Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day or Labor Day or even Thanksgiving.  So why should they refer to Christmas as "holiday"?  It may be but it should also be referred to by the name of the holiday, not as a generic term because someone is afraid they might offend someone.  That is showing the ignorance of the person saying it and also very disrespectful.    I wonder if they also refer to birthdays the same way.  It is time for everyone to stop being so politically correct and to use common sense but mainly to respect the rights and beliefs of others.

So to those of you who do not celebrate the way I do, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa.  To all my family and friends I wish you a Merry Christmas.