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The Holidays Are Upon Us Once Again...(By Louisiana Sandusky) by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Rated "G" by the Author.
Louisiana Sandusky has some very busy times ahead of her, now that the holidays are here...
I find it hard to believe, but already, we are staring down the barrel of Christmas, and then New Years Day. Thanksgiving has just come and gone, and it seems funny, but the older I get, it seems that the years go by at an incredible pace.
I have grandchildren now (four beautiful little boys, including brand new twin grandsons, who are the apple of my eye, and one precious granddaughter, who will be seven next year), and my first adopted children, whom i adopted as little babies, are going to be twelve years old around Christmas. The girl will be 12 on Christmas Day, and her brother will be 12 the day AFTER Christmas. It seems like only yesterday when I was holding them in my arms and feeding them their bottles and changing their diapers! Our other adopted children are also growing like weeds: it seemed like only yesterday when the youngest were only babes; now they are six, seven, and eight; and all of a sudden, I feel OLD.
I also see more grey evident in my hair and more wrinkles are adorning my face; and my husband is starting to show his age too. His walk is a little slower, and he has more pains and aches than he did; and he now relegates in using an electric scooter (or a wheelchair) whenever we are out at the malls doing our shopping. My walk isn't as sprightly or springy either: I now use a cane, and arthritis has made my body its permanent home. Still, even with the pains and aches that come with old age, I am grateful for all that has happened in my life, and I am grateful for my husband (next year we will mark our 14th wedding anniversary), and our brood of 50 Miracle Children that God has brought into our home--and our hearts. If it were not for God, we wouldn't have what we have now, and I think that the holidays are the time when I am especially thankful. Having kids with disabilities has given an entirely new meaning to special times in our lives; and each day that I spend with them are days that I will cherish forever and ever.
For us, the holidays are full of love and laughter, and we are very big on Christmas decorations and focusing on the TRUE meaning of the holiday: the Birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ; and we try to focus on this during the holidays. Oh, we go shopping for gifts for the family and get out in the holiday madness, but that isn't the most important thing to us. To us, the most important thing in our family is remembering the Birth of a Saviour who was born so He could save man from sin; and we go caroling each and every year: if it isn't at the hospitals, we go to the veteran's home or to the nursing home; and we bring toys and holiday cheer to those who are in most need; and we always end up feeling good inside. That is better than any hand-held video game or "latest" fashions or even diamonds or other baubles; and we try to live the Message that is Christmas and bring a little Christmas back into our community.
If people say there isn't Christmas left, all they have to do is look about them, at the twinkling lights, the decorations, the candles in storefront windows, or the red- and green- bows festooned upon trees or lamp posts, and see the joy that oftentimes light up people's faces; and they will know that the spirit of Christmas is indeed alive and well. The sound of bellringers ringing the bells for charity organizations, or seeing people give money to a homeless man or family or offering their coat or a meal to a shivering child is tantamount to the spirit of Christmas, and this is better than any present that can be given. Christmas doesn't reside in a store-bought item or in songs about how "grandma got run over by a reindeer": Christmas resides inside a person, and if a person stops for a minute and thinks about the TRUE meaning of the holiday, then they should thank God for His Son, and focus on THAT instead of all the other things that have somehow tarnished the Birth of our Saviour. Christmas is love, joy, peace, and so much more, and it can be one of the best times of the year if you don't let all the commercialism take over.
Jesus is the Reason for the Season, and if you remember the love and goodwill that is so much a part of the season, then the spirit will grow inside you, and you will end up feeling so much better about the season that is Christmas!
Karen thank you for sharing the true spirit of Christmas. We need it in our lives now, more than ever. Our culture is so divided and confused we need to share His love as best we can, to all, and you have written the way to do it. Blessings to you! Love the babt
pic!;-)
Reviewed by Hooves Of Fire
11/29/2004
(((Karen))), you have described the true meaning of Christmas so well with your story of love and giving to others. Focusing on others to me is the true meaning of the holiday. Bless you and your whole big wonderful family, this holiday season!
Love,
Hooves
((((Karen)))
This is another wonderful story, keep up the great writing
God Bless
Michelle~
Reviewed by Tracey L. O' Very
11/28/2004
Wow You are a wonderful Person Full of Love and Much giving of the heart where He lives. God Bless You and Your Beautiful Family through the holidays and everyday.
Tracey
And yes the years do fly by faster as we move slower.
A short story of mine was included in an anthology of short fiction by fourteen of Port Town Publishing Company's authors. It is out of print and no longer available except as a download. Contact me at charlenetess@yahoo.com if you want it.
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A delightful story of a needy family of squirrels who are kicked out of their village, because of their tattered clothes and nests.
Abandoned and in search of friends to accept them, they travel many roads of r
I find it hard to believe, but already, we are staring down the barrel of Christmas, and then New Years Day. Thanksgiving has just come and gone, and it seems funny, but the older I get, it seems that the years go by at an incredible pace.
