This story actually begins in another story, There Is Someone At The Door. The Chief of Police had come by to ask me to volunteer as a substitute teacher for a group of children. My car battery was dead so I accepted the assignment with the agreement that he would arrange transportation for the three days I would need to be at the school. He agreed. I thought at the time that me being picked up by a police car for three days might raise some eyebrows in the neighborhood. I was right.

Now, you must understand I have one neighbor who is considered the town gossip. If you want to know what is going on in town you just have to say, "Hello" to her. She will start filling you in. She does not check out any facts she just tells you what she thinks is going on based on what she actually saw.

As an example: Last year my sweet pit bull, Freddie, was hit by a truck and had to be put down because of his injuries. The Chief of Police had to be notified and we had to get permission to put Freddie down. The Chief was at a city council meeting. My house is within walking distance of City Hall so I crashed the meeting. Before it was over the entire city council was in my front yard and attended Freddie's funeral. I cried all night.

Then the next morning the Chief of Police showed up at my front door with Precious on a leash. Precious is a sweet pit bull, about six years old, who's owner had died. The lady fostering her was on the city council. She and the Chief got together and decided I would be a good candidate to adopt her. They were right. The only problem I had was that... well... Freddie played with toys and Precious ate them. She had devoured every one of Freddie's toys by early evening. I did not know what to do. She wanted to play and I wanted to bond with her. I did not dare leave her in the house alone while I went to get more toys. Then I thought about Frisbee. I bet she would love chasing something like that. Then I spotted the huge stack of paper plates I had not yet opened. I took them one at a time and tossed them across the yard. She chased each one down and delightfully tore it up. Then headed back for another. She finished off the entire stack. She slept with me that night (and every night since) but by the next morning there was confetti all over my yard. I decided I was going to need more paper plates and a rake. Off to Dollar General. I felt sure Precious would be secure until I got back.

This is where I met my neighbor, the Queen of the gossips. I overheard her telling another lady in line about the new widow in town. "The police have been at her house for at least two hours last night. Then this morning she had confetti all over her yard. I bet that was some party." I resolved that situation by inviting her to the next party. She was shocked when I told her she would have to bring her own paper plates.

The only reason I am telling you this is that I knew with the Chief picking me up for 3 days I would need to set the record straight on what ever the Queen had been telling others. To accomplish this task I decided to have a small dinner party. I had asked the neighbor to do me a favor earlier this week so that I would have an excuse to invite her. I had invited the Chief of Police, his wife, and the Queen. I felt it would be a good way to say thank you for all their help as well. Two birds, one stone ... you know the drill on that one.

I had prepared a wonderful baked chicken stuffed with pepperoni and three cheeses and topped off with an Italian tomato sauce. It was like having chicken pizza without the crust. Anyway, I had a tossed salad and baked potatoes. I had fixed banana pudding for desert and was very happy when everything came out on time. My guests had arrived and we were all seated at the table. We all heard the click and turned to look....

Oscar, a squirrel I had fostered when his mother got killed, opened the front door and let himself in. He scampered over to the table and ch-erupt at the Queen. She was the only one at the table he did not know. Everyone's mouths were wide open as they watched Oscar scamper up the poor woman's leg, jump to the table and ch-erupt at her again. Then as every one let out the breath they had been holding... Oscar snatched piece of the garlic bread I had on the table and dipped it in the Queen's dinner. He sat there and stared at her, eating and ch-erupting. The Chief had already met Oscar and knew the story behind him. Just as I started to pick Oscar up to pop him outside he scampered back down the leg of the table this time, ran to the doggy door and invited in another raccoon. The raccoon was wild and ran everywhere. I glanced at the Chief. He instantly grabbed one of my boxes I had set aside for the burn barrel and put it over the raccoon.

He then got on his cell phone and had an officer bring a caring cage while he sat there with his foot on the box so the raccoon could not escape. The Queen was still dumb founded... I went to pop Oscar back outside through the doggy door when Sweet Pea, my ancient gray hound, bounded into the room. She was delighted to finish off the poor woman's plate before giving her a, "Hello," kiss...right in the mouth.

Everyone was laughing, (thank goodness), as I ushered Precious, Sweet Pea and popped Oscar out the doggy door then raced to the front door to lock it. We all sat in silence when we heard a tap, tap, tap, on the front door. We all burst into laughter at once. I simple said... would anyone like desert? The Queen said, "Jane there is no way anyone will believe me."

The rest of the evening went perfectly. The chief and his officers took care of the raccoon and Oscar was out for the night. We played Pictionary and had a blast. The Queen turned out to have a wonderful sense of humor. I can hardly wait to find out what I have been doing the next time I go to the grocery store. I know she will find a way to tell about, Jane's dinner party.  

Tags: Home Life Humor

1 comments View Entry

My mind has wondered all over today. I spent a lot of it thinking about how lucky I was to have had such loving foster parents.

My sister and I had come from an abusive home to the orphanage. My sister was very, very close to Daddy. The first time they came to the orphanage, my sister bounced into his lap and hugged his neck. I was mesmerized by the beauty and kindness in Momma’s face. I reflected back on growing up with a Daddy every little girl should have had. We got valentines and a pure sense of how a man should treat the women he loved. He never stopped courting Momma.

I remember once in junior high school. I was getting ready to go to my first dance. I had a beautiful new peach top with a white chiffon skirt. There was white fur around the neck and cuffs of the blouse. I had new shoes. As I sat waiting for my date’s parents to arrive I looked down and noticed my father had holes in the bottom of his shoes.

Money was tight, but I had a new dress to wear to my first dance. I also had to laugh when I thought about Daddy showing up in the middle of the dance with a movie camera and enough lights to light up Broadway. He really loved his little girls.

His hair had turn all white by the time I reach my senior year in high school. Mother got her hair color out of a bottle so I have no idea what it was. Momma was a blond until she starting growing it white.

Daddy was deaf. He wore a hearing aid. It was little box (looked like our smart phones today) that clipped onto his t-shirt with a wire that ran to his ear. He always talked very loud. Everyone could hear his phone calls.

I thought (when I was very young) that he was faking the deafness. I tried to prove it to my sister. I whispered, “Let’s sneak out tonight.” Daddy instantly jumped from his chair, shook his finger at us and hurried to the kitchen. He went to the kitchen junk drawer and pull out two nails. He proceeded to our bedroom and nailed the windows shut. “That will take care of that kind of talk, ladies.” He said.

“See, I said to my sister; I told you—he can hear.” It never dawned on me that he could read lips.

I stayed in trouble with my Daddy most of my life (I just came that way), but I really loved him. He was a very gentle soul no matter how much he yelled. He has been gone 40 years and I still miss him.

Tags: Relatives Adoption Children Relationships

2 comments View Entry

I retired from teaching children with special needs but once in a while someone asks for my help. This is about one such case.

A little girl had suddenly stopped talking.  Months had gone by and she had not uttered a word.  She had been in the car when her grandmother, sitting right beside her, patted her on the hand, kissed her cheek and slumped over in the seat and died.  The little girl was very close to her grandmother.  I remember what that was like.  My grandmother had been my best friend.  I knew exactly the trauma that was going on inside this little angel.

I came into the room and found her just as her mother said she would be.  She was sitting in her grandmother's chair looking out the window.  I said a little prayer for guidance then approached her.  I took her hand and guided her over to a table. I gave her colored pencils and paper.

She picked them up without a word and started drawing. While she was drawing I told her stories about my life with my grandmother. She has drawn several pictures of her and her grandmother like stick figures doing different things.  The girl waved her mom over, handed her a drawing and signaled her mom that they were for me.

I talk to her about my grandmother living within me even when I could not see her physically.  The expressionless face on this child started giving way to a quiet sweetness.  Eventually, she laid down to take a nap. I sensed she had finally accepted the fact that her grandmother lives in her heart. We all went into the other room.

We were awakened by the sweet sound of her singing a song her grandmother taught her.  The little girl talks up a storm now.  I am so glad God gave me what I needed to help her.

What I did not know is that the little girl's mother had been so resentful over losing her mother that she had turned away from God.  She had not said anything to anyone but the anger was there.  I sensed it when I was there.  I told her not to worry.  God had not turned away from her and would be there when she was ready. I reminded her that God does not save us from the lion's den but delivers us out of it.

I was able to tell her about losing my grandmother and my best friend.  It too was sudden.  I told her to express gratitude for the fact that she was close to her mother, her little girl got to know her, and she went without suffering.  I said you were protected from having to endure a long drawn out pain of having to watch her die.  

I also explain that the word death comes from a Hebrew word meaning change.  It has nothing to do with the end of anything but the beginning of a new perspective.  I did not tell her how many times I have died in this lifetime.  She is not ready.  I told her to allow herself to grieve.  She thanked me for helping her.  I thanked God for showing me the way.
 
Just wanted to give you a follow up.  The little girl who had not spoken for so long got up and delivered a speech to her class entitled, "My Grandmother."

 Someone asked me this morning if I believe in God.  I answered, "I believe in how he answers prayers."  I believe in the wind that I cannot see because I see and feel the effects of it. I believe in the results of believing in God. My grandmother taught me that.

I found chicken on sale again today.  Anytime God puts chicken leg quarters on sale... someone is going to need a crock pot full of something.  I've fed so many people this month.  It is like the loaves and the fishes.  I always have enough and it has never made me go over my budget.  I just love the way God's abundance works.

Tags: Family Life Relatives Children

3 comments View Entry

My surprise actually happened the night before Thanksgiving.  I had been up for several days watching Christmas movies.  I had recorded some of my favorites and really indulged myself.  I was so tired by the time I had seen the last one, I fell deep asleep.  As is my custom in the evening, I open my front door to allow my dogs to terrorize the neighborhood at night.  By morning they are always worn out and neighborhood is void of terrorists.

Baby Girl, my big yellow dog came rushing in making so much noise she woke me up.  I glanced at her as she spit out the body of a dead mouse onto the floor.  I instantly jumped up, tangling my feet up in the electric blanket cord and fell to the floor.  All three dogs were in by now delighted that I had joined them on the floor.  As I tried to untangle my feet, Rooster, my big orange tabby jumped down, walked to the corpse and with one paw tossed it into the air.  I yelled STOP!  All eyes were on me and everyone froze.  I calmly said, “Let mommy take care of this.”  I scrambled to get upright and proceeded to the kitchen.  I found an old newspaper and tore off a page to use to remove the dead mouse.  I knew I would have to dispose of it quietly so no one would hunt for it later.  The main thing was to keep everyone away from it (I absolutely had to go to the bath room) until I could something.  I clapped my hands and talked happy and sweet until everyone followed me into the bath room.  My bathroom had never felt so small before, but it did now.  I scratched backs and stroked heads until I finished my business.

I realized the front door was still open. I calmly walked over to the “body”.  I gently scooped it up in the newspaper.  I started laughing so hard tears actually came down my cheeks.  I had just disposed of a dead leaf.  Now you know why my driver’s license says I must ware my glasses when driving.  Baby Girl was so thrilled.  She ran out the door.  A few minutes later she rushed in and spit a whole mouth full of “dead” mice on the floor.  I gave her a big hug.  I started to the front door as she ran past me and started using her snout to toss leaves up in the yard.  Fredie and Sweetie Pie joined her.  Before I could get the door closed they had all three brought me a mouth full, depositing them on the living room floor.  I closed the door.

We are all watching Rooster toss them one at a time in the air and chase them down.

My neighbors brought over all the Thanksgiving food I could ever eat.  They would be gone for the day and wanted to make sure I had a good Thanksgiving. 

I am so Thankful for all the love I am surrounded with and because I did not have to bury a mouse.

Tags: Pets Animals Home

2 comments View Entry

 I know too many details can bore you dear reader, but they are important to this story.  I promise these events really did occur.

     Having to go on disability forced me into foreclosure on my home and led me to this wonderful spot on the lake.  My first day was very busy.  I had spent the morning packing and issuing orders to the movers and getting my van loaded with breakable items along with four dogs and a cat.  The movers were to follow me to the new house.

     Since foreclosure was imminent-- time was important. This was a one way trip; I could not go back to my old house.  I had purchased the new house through a realtor, on line, and with only one walk through.  I had met the realtor at her office and she brought me out to the property.  The closing came a few days later at her office.  I drove around for three hours (with the moving van following me) until we all had to go back to the highway to get gasoline.  I could not find my house.  Granted, I do not have the best sense of direction, but I was so sure…  I finally called the realtor.  She had to laugh when I told her someone had stolen my house.  She came to the gas station and we followed her to the house.

    It was getting close to dark.  I scrambled through boxes looking for light bulbs.  I finally found the red light bulbs used as part of my Christmas decorations.  I put it in the front porch light so we could see the steps and we proceeded to unload.

   Suddenly a young man pops his head in the back of the truck and says, “Hi, I’m Chris.  I live across the street.  You need some help?

   I quickly introduced myself and ushered him inside.  The movers had gotten all the furniture inside and had just begun toting the boxes.  I had two six packs of beer I had promised the movers if they would stay (after dark it was over time) and unload the truck.  They had just been giving me a hard time about finishing when Chris pops in.  I told them (quietly so Chris could not hear) I think I’ll give this nice young man the over time you wanted and the beer.  The movers quickly changed their minds about giving me a hard time.  Chris said he would be right back.  He was, with light bulbs for the lamps so we could see better--inside. Chris and the movers had the boxes unloaded in no time at all.  We all sat on my patio watching the dogs run around sniffing everything.  The movers had a couple of beers each then left as soon as they were paid.  Chris and I sat outside getting acquainted until almost midnight.  He helped me get the dogs inside, and then said good night.

  The next day I set up my tomato plants in the back bedroom window.  I had decided it was too late in the season to put them in the yard so had decided to grow them inside.  After a few hours of unpacking boxes I was ready for a break.  Since I sunburn easily, I put on my big floppy hat, sun glasses, and proceeded to the back yard with the dogs.  Chris showed up with some groceries for me.  I told him I was so surprised.  He said his mom told him I would be probably too tired to go to the store and sent the stuff over with him.  He stayed and helped me eat part of it as well.  I also told him I was surprised that a teenager was hanging around a senior citizen instead of being out chasing girls.  He informed me he was nearly 20 and in the reserves.  I did not press the subject any further.

   The next day my phone was installed.  I immediately called Shirley, a lady I had worked with for years.  Her husband was a minister.  When she retired he had taken over a congregation in this area.  I let her know where I was and by afternoon she was helping me unpack more boxes.   She remembered that I had a secret for getting rid of aphids.  Yes, my diatomaceous earth.  I buy the food grade variety.  I use it for a lot of things, but it is excellent for getting rid of aphids.  I buy 50 pounds at a time and it had gotten put in the storage shed so it would take me a couple of days to get to it.  I told her I would put some in a freezer bag for him.  She said she would send her husband by for a bag of it later in the week.  I knew I would be using some myself to aid in getting rid of any insects in the house.  I bagged up several bags.  A few days later, he came by and he asked me if I would let some of his buddies use my boat house and let them fish off my dock.  They lived in the area, but not on the lake.  The dock prices for non residents were too high for them.  I told him I would have to pay higher association dues if I used the dock so they could just give me a little each time they came and I would squirrel it away towards my dues.  I assured him his friends would be welcome.  When he got ready to leave, I ran out the front door and gave him his bag of aphid cure.  He had agreed to pay me for it since I bought in bulk it was cheaper and I could put it towards my next purchase.  It seemed like a good idea at the time.

   Three gentlemen showed up the next day.  I sent them all out to the back.  I stayed in the house going about my business.  I had noticed one of them with his canteen turned upside down.  I went to the window and offered lemonade.  They all said yes.  I made the lemonade, but could not find any plastic glasses.  I did not want to take glass out to the patio.  I finally found some plastic margarita glasses and decided, they were better than glass.  The guys got a kick out of them.   This also seemed like a good idea—at the time.  A few hours later they one at a time came in to use the restroom.  Then at dusk they packed up and left.

I had noticed the mail man had stopped and decided to go check my mail.  I had forwarded everything from the other house so was hopeful in finding it.  My property is covered with oak trees.  Oak trees shed acorns.  I had acorns all over my driveway.  I have hip implants and knees that sometimes wanted to go in the opposite direction.  This made me walk funny to begin with, but with the acorns it was much worse.  I wobbled up the driveway to the mailbox and retrieved the mail.  I knew I would have to sweep the drive before attempting that again.

Shirley called the next morning.  She asked me to join her for lunch.  She wanted to introduce me to some of the ladies in the church.  When I started to tell her I still had a lot of work to do, she insisted.  She even said she would pick me up.  She said it was vital that I be at her luncheon.  I started getting ready and was waiting for her when she came to get me.

Not knowing what to expect I had put on one of my business suits that I had previously reserved for executive staff meetings when I was working.  There were three ladies already at Shirley’s home when we arrived.  I was introduced and joined them at the kitchen table.  After Shirley brought me coffee she asked the ladies to show me why they had come to see her.

They looked at each other with very confused expressions.  It seems they had come to let her know what her preacher husband had been up to the previous week.  They opened a large envelope containing several pictures.  My mouth flew open when I saw the red porch light on my porch.  Then realized the pictures were of me.  My face could not be seen, but I recognized my back yard and my floppy hat.  I was photographed taking money for a bag of white stuff, of taking money from three other men. The ladies were proud they had discovered the problem and brought it to Shirley’s attention.  It was apparent the ladies did not realize it was me in the pictures.  They proceeded to tell me that the newest arrival in the neighborhood was a drug pusher and a prostitute.  There were pictures of my tomato plants in the window, several pictures of me giving drinks to apparently waiting customers, and a couple more of me being drunk on my own driveway.  They even rationalized that I also took in young customers with a picture of me with Chris in the backyard.  The ladies informed me that they had sent a copy of these pictures to the sheriff’s office and were prepared to testify to get rid of this new comer.  Their mouths flew open when Shirley and I began to laugh.

I once again introduced myself.  I began telling them about my first few days of retirement, about my tomato plants, about my cure for aphids, and even about my fisherman.  I also told they had proven my grandmother’s saying about if you are looking only for the ugly, that is what you will find.  I also suggested they take up photographing birds instead of their neighbors.  Gossip is cruel and unchristian and I stated that before asking Shirley to give me a ride home.  We left the ladies with their mouths open staring at one another.

When I got home the sheriff was waiting for me.  I told Shirley to go back and get her lunch guests and meet me at the sheriff’s office.  It was not long before everything got straightened out.

The sermon the following Sunday was on judging others.  I watched the three ladies from the luncheon turn red.  No one has heard any gossip from them since.

Tags: Home Life Memories Humor

3 comments View Entry

My new grandmother had just explained to me about Christmas. We were coming home from my aunt's house after celebrating Thanksgiving.

My sister and I were newly adopted and these holidays were very new to us. I was six and my sister was 4. Grandmother explained it was the celebration of the birth of Jesus. "You mean a birthday party?" I asked. She gave me a soft smile and a hug and said, "Yes." We call his birthday Christmas" I clapped my hands and replied, "Cake and ice cream?" When she said "No. Dear." I almost started to cry. I loved her cakes.

I had remembered when they celebrated my birthday, the day I turned six. My grandmother had been gathering scraps of materials for her quilting group all week. So, when I found her in the kitchen stirring up a batter in a big bowl I wanted to know what it was. She replied, as she ran her fingers over a page with writing on it and then without looking up she said, "I am making your birthday cake from scratch."

I ran out of the room without saying a word. I thought she had said scraps. I cried and cried in my room thinking I was going to have to eat scraps. When she found me crying I explained why. She laughed so hard her tummy quivered. She gave me a big hug, took me by the hand and led me back into the kitchen. She pointed to the glass window into the oven. I could see 4 big pans baking inside.

She said, "I made it from scratch means I did not use a cake mix." She then showed me the boxes of cake mixes in the pantry. She then gave me a hug. She said, "Your birthday cake had to be very special because you are very special."

I was thrilled. I had remembered helping her turn the crank on the homemade ice cream too. There were decorations and balloons and boxes all wrapped up with pretty bows. I had never had a birthday before so I was very excited about it.

I remember sitting quietly and thinking. We are going to have a birthday party for Jesus and not have any cake and ice cream. Poor Jesus. Then I could got worried. What do you give the Son of God for a birthday present? That was one to ponder. Christmas was new to me and my sister. Jesus was new. Everything was new. Some of what we were learning was frightening at first but I had learned to ask questions. Most of the answers took the scary out of what was happening.

Grandmother brought out the stockings she had made for my sister and I. We hung them so they dangled off the mantle. We had picked out a tree, decorated it, and started baking cookies. I had decided that maybe Christmas would not be so bad.

Nothing prepared me for Santa Claus. He was a very nice man who clearly did not need more ice cream. He was very nice but I was totally confused. I would not allow my little sister to get on his lap. The poor man was confused too. When he asked me what I wanted for Christmas I told him I wanted to go home. Needless to say a visit to Santa Claus was a disaster. Grandmother was so kind. She did not push the issue. Instead that night, at home, we watched a movie called Miracle on 34th Street. Santa Claus was in the movie and I finally understood what all the fuss was about. I was a little mixed up still on why we got presents when it was Jesus who was having the birthday.

I watched as pretty boxes started multiplying around the base of the tree. I was very good about not shaking them. After shaking one and hearing a liquid inside and then I shook it harder until the package broke and Grandmother shouted, You opened the "toilet water" as it drenched all over me. I hated the idea of having toilet water on me. I smelled good but still... toilet water? I decided not to shake any more pretty boxes. I guess you thought I was just being a good kid. Nope. No one had to tell me anything about messing with the packages after I had to wash, "toilet water" off of me. I do remember grandmother giggling the whole time. I saw nothing funny about it. Like I have said before I was not the brightest crayon in the box but grandmother called me the most colorful.

I remember Christmas morning. Now, I am getting a little bit ahead of things for a second. Christmas eve my mother had given me my name as a present. She had given me her name. I told you about that in another story. Well, my daddy had come home from a business trip that evening. After all the hugs and kisses about my new name were done my sister and I were ushered off to bed. We were instructed to not come out of our room, until daddy came to get us. We could go pee but we had to go straight back to our room after that. We had absolutely no knowledge or any idea why everything was so hush, hush, about the next day.

Yes, it was finally Christmas day but why all the whispers? Everything was fine. We woke up Christmas morning, went to the bathroom, and (as instructed) went straight back to our room. We noticed the door to the living room had been shut but did as we had been told.

We did not have to wait long. Daddy came in and got my sister and I. He was in the middle with me on one side and Tricia on the other. He led us by the hand. We approached the closed door. As we went through the door grandmother had the movie camera held up to one eye filming the whole event. Mommy (as I now called her) held a bar of lights behind grandmother. This was all suddenly very scary. What was going on? What was going to happen?

We entered the living room. There were toys everywhere. Dolls, trikes, wagons, balls, a big doll house, ruffled dresses, spinning tops, and even a easy bake oven stood off to the side. I had never seen so many toys in the entire six years of my life. I screamed my head off. I grabbed Tricia and took her back to the bedroom and I pulled her under the bed with me. I was shaking and crying, Tricia was shaking and crying and all the adults were shaking and crying now.

Finally, all three adults came in the room. They coaxed me out from under the bed. I could see the streaks down Mommy's face and Daddy's eyes kept welling up with tears. "What is wrong?" They asked. "These are presents for you from Santa Claus." My eyes got bigger. "You mean they are all of that is for us? You are not sending us back?"

When we were at the orphanage every time they got toys donated it meant someone was adopted and was leaving. I thought they were sending us back. With a little more talking grandmother convinced me to go back in the room where all the toys were. I was extremely frightening for me. I walked through the room and touched each toy.

I stroked the hair of each doll, I had no idea what to do with a trike or wagon but the other things were so brightly colored I could not resist touching them. I started sobbing so hard my shoulders shook. I ran back to my room again. Tricia was just touching things she was happy and in total wonder.

Finally, Daddy came in by himself. He said, "What is wrong, Jane?" I was so pleased he used my new name. I wiped my eyes and looked up at him. I put my hands on his cheeks and asked, "Can you tell Santa to take it all back?" He cupped his big hands over mine and asked in almost a whisper, "Why?" It was apparent he did not understand my problem. If I played with one toy, the other toys would think I did not like them. I did not want to hurt their feelings.

"It hurts when someone does not want to play with you." Daddy suddenly smiled and pulled me into his lap. He gave me a big hug. He asked me to wait until he got back. He came back in a few minutes and said that Santa was going to pick up all the toys in just a little bit. He then handed me one of the dolls. He suggested I play with her in my room while he was getting the rest. That suited me just fine.

A little while later I went into the living room and all the toys were gone. I really got a big grin on my face when I saw my stocking full of things and with writing on the top that was not there the day before. Grandmother showed it to me. It was my new name. I was thrilled. I was so happy. Then Grandmother scooped me up and we sat down as Daddy started handing out the pretty boxes.

Grandmother whispered to me that she had made a deal with Santa. He would send the toys back one at a time so I could play with each one and introduce them to each other. I was delighted. For weeks after that new toys arrived and I introduced them all to each other. Christmas was saved.

My aunt and all the cousins arrived shortly after that and we all sat down to a big meal. I was explaining to my aunt that this was a birthday party for Jesus even though we were not going to have cake and ice cream. Grandmother grinned and left the room.
Grandmother brought out cake and homemade ice cream. I knew it was a real party after that. It became a tradition for us to have a birthday cake and ice cream on Christmas because it was a birthday party after all.

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

My first one started out scary but turned into one blessing after another. Love multiplies at Christmas. I have spent the last few Christmases visiting Children who are in the hospital during the holiday. It warms my heart. If you find yourself alone at Christmas someone else might need one of your smiles... give it to them for Christmas. This is the time of year I remember all the blessings I have been given. God Bless.

Tags: Memories Home Life Children Adoption

1 comments View Entry

Tags: Pets Animals Home Humor

0 comments View Entry

Tags: Animals Pets Life Charity

0 comments View Entry

Tags: Home Life Tolerance Love

3 comments View Entry