"The Christmas Envelope"


It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our
Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has
peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so. It
all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas -- oh, not the true
meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it - overspending,
the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle
Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma-the gifts given in desperation
because you couldn't think of anything else. Knowing he felt this way, I
decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so
forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration
came in an unusual way.


Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level
at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a
non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church,
mostly black. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that
shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented
a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and
sparkling new wrestling shoes.


As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was
wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a
wrestler's ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not
afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class.
And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in
his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't
acknowledge defeat. Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I
wish just one of them could have won," he said. "They have a lot of
potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them."



Mike loved kids-all kids-and he knew them, having coached little league
football, baseball and lacrosse. That's when the idea for his present
came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought
an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously
to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the
tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his
gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that
year and in succeeding years. For each Christmas, I followed the
tradition-one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to
a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose
home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on.
The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the
last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their
new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted
the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents. As the children grew,
the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never
lost its allure.


The story doesn't end there. You see, we lost Mike last year to cancer.
When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I
barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope
on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.


Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope
on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will
expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with
wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the
envelope... Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be
with us.


May we all remember the Christmas spirit this year and always


~Anonymous


Barbara




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Christmas, Now, Past, For Ever.
Bill Walker
wildbill6807@...

Christmas time always brings back to me memories. Some are happy
memories, while some are sad. I know of others that are the same way.
Christmas should be a happy time, but it may be a sad time of year for
many. This Christmas will be no different. I know full well there will
be many destroyed Christmas this year, some for ever. Christmas time
will
remain a sad time of year for many for ever. For many, Christmas will
never be the same

How can it be a Merry Christmas for those that will receive the bad
news on or near the day of Christmas. "Your son, daughter, husband,
wife, father, mother, is missing in action, or was killed in action."
Yes today even daughters, wife, and mothers. More so then in past wars.

There is other things like that, don't have to be war. People die
every day or time of the year, but to have it at Christmas time. Well
it just kills that time of year. How can one enjoy Christmas time when
that happens. Many people will have an empty chair, or chairs at the
table on Christmas day..

For some there is memories of past Christmas. There has been many
stories handed down from hard times. Christmas in real hard times of
the
past, even today, not much joy to hear.

I know the number of people that remembers the dirty 30s will be
growing less these days. But let me tell you a bit of history. Many a
child of those days, Christmas was just another day.

I also remember the stories of people that lived before, hard times of
Christmas. Before people had the words of today. Liberal and
Conservative. I think it would pay people to look up in Dan Webster the
meanings of those two words and do a little thinking.

It is nice to be a little of both at the same time. Stop and think,
put your self in both sets of shoes and walk a mile. That is if all you
are thinking of politely. It also fits in most other cases.

I was thinking about the rich person who can walk or drive by the Bell
Ringers, never hear nor see. I was thinking about the person who digs in
the pocket, and drops in a few coins, knowing full well might need that
few coins later. But those that do so knows it is for a good cause..
Which might make them called a Liberal. The person who walks by, or
drives by could be called a Conservative for one of two reasons. They
know times is tough, got to save the dime for a bag of beans. On the
other hand, I got mine, you get yours best way you know how

That is why I think a person who uses those two words, should read
what
Dan Webster says. Maybe I also mis read the meaning. I am sure there
will be some brain that will tell me I am nuts.

While I am on this. I have heard people say that God is one or the
other. Liberal or Conservative. I think, both may be right, I also think
both is very much wrong. If you really read the Bible, you will find
many
places where one or the other is the case. There is places where it is
said to save up for tomorrow. Then there is places that says to do for
others which has less. Remember the place where it says, if you have
two
of something, give one to the person who has none. Also remember Able
and Cain. You are your bothers keeper. Also remember another thing.
And this will fit ever so many cases. There goes I, but by the grace of
God.

I really think there is times to be a little of both, Liberal, and
Conservative. So much for that thinking.

Now back to the many hard times in history. Remember history does
repeat. We have had both good times, and hard times.

I remember the stories my mother told. I am sure this story may be in
any ones family tree. So I will tell her story.

Her Father died 1914, leaving a wife, and seven children ranging from
16 to 2 years of age. Times was tough, there was no programs in place
like now for such. You either made it or fell through what ever cracks.

In other words, did with out. Went to bed many a night hungry.
Christmas was no different, just another day.

Then is no difference then now. The first day of school after
Christmas, you stood up and told what was had for Christmas. Teacher
think about this when you have this time in school, and do a little
thinking how stupid it is.

Each one of the seven stood up and told about what a wonderful day it
was. Each never told the same story. One told had a ham dinner, another
a turkey dinner, and the one that told the truth, said a plate of beans,
no fatback.

Then you got the many toys and such. Some got a wagon, some got a
fancy doll, some got a horse even. The truth of the matter was a old
made over doll for the girls, and the boys, well I can't remember just
what made over it was now.. All got a sack of a few bits of hard candy,
apple, and that was it. Hard times.

I wonder how many kids learned to be a flat out fibber in school. then
, now, and in the here to come days. Teacher think on that one.

Yes there has been hard, sad Christmas days in the past, will be in
the
years to come. It can't be helped. I say make the best of it, if that
is
possible. There may be some happy Christmas times. And remember those
that are going through hard times at Christmas time, and every day for
that matter. Who knows what your Christmas in the next years may be
like.

Remember this. The Lord God, does give, also does take away. Also
remember this is written. "He who does for the least, had done for me."

When you help or give to those in need, do so with a happy glad heart
that you can. God will note such action. You might be most blessed.
At
least you will have a warm feeling in your heart.

You may have been blessed with many things on earth, but you will not
leave this earth with your gold and silver.

Merry Christmas to one and all, and a good night.





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"FRIENDSHIP IN THE LORD"
Friendship in the Lord,
what a perfect kinship.

Sisterly and Brotherly love
you see, It is for you and me.

A Fellowship so dear,
just to know our Jesus Christ
is near.

Always praying for one another
Never ceasing,
As our trials and tribulations
are always increasing.

Firm believers you and I,
of our heavenly Father on high.

Jesus Christ who died
on the cross,
oh but it was not a loss
for he arose from the grave
as humble sinners
he does save.
So that we will have eternal life,
Away from all this strife.

For he will not forsake
some day to heaven us he
will take.
June A. Hoffman (Stanley)


Christine



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"GOD PROMISED US RAINBOWS"

When storm~clouds have suddenly open'd
changing our hope to despair . . .
Sweet dreams crushed into rubble
seeing death's hand everywhere ~

The future seems buried in ashes
that once held such expectancy . . .
Tears are soaking our brok'n hearts
terror's aftermath all we can see ~

Human help only goes so far
though intentions are faithful & true . . .
BUT GOD . . . is still on His mighty throne
we're praying HE'LL bring you through ~

Asking provision for all your needs
Restoring with even more besides . . .
That you rest 'neath His precious wings
Where healing always abides ~

After the storm has lift'd
when all that's envisioned is RAIN . . .
Our God has promised rainbows
to heal all the bitter pain ~

Hope for a brighter tomorrow
Faith in His Word to prevail . . .
Peace passing all understanding
we serve THE GOD who cannot fail !!!

Mary Carter Mizrany
September 11, 2005

The above poem is not only dedicated to those suffering losses from
September 11, 2001, but, victims of hurricane Katrina. Each of these
hurting ones remains in our prayers. We are trusting the Lord to meet
all of their needs according to the riches of his glory, by Christ
Jesus.


Christine

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Grandparents
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