Sunday, November 29, 2009,  Nashville, TN., 6:37 a.m., C.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Hiii!!  It's your favorite Cajun writing!  Just li'l ol' me, Ronee' Reaux!  Hope this finds y'all well and happy!  I am doing fanTAbulous!!

Guess there's just something about seeing all the twinkling Christmas lights, smelling the scent of evergreen, holly, cinnamon, pumpkin pie, apples, and other delicious odors that tickle the nose, hearing the wonderful Christmas music that's so timeless, and gathering together with family and friends that bring out the best in people.

I know it does me.  I absolutely aDORE Christmas!  I know I used to hate it, being born right on Christmas Day (yep, I'm a Christmas chick!!), but now I love it!  I know that even I will get something; I'm not totally forgotten!  And what I usually do get is a doozy!!  LOL  Yet I also know that it's better to give than to receive, and there's nothing more I love than giving my time and my energy to others, be it singing for them, helping feed the poor, homeless, and hungry of our city, or giving them a little something, just to show 'em I care.

I try to live the message of Christmas not just during the Christmas holiday, but always, every day of the year.  :)  Sometimes it's not easy, but then when I think of the good I'm doing, then I feel Christmasy all over, even in the middle of March or August!

We went Christmas shopping on Friday; it was fun!!  I got the CD I wanted (Kaitlyn Maher's CD); have already listened to it twice.  What a wonderful talent God has given to this little girl; she's going to be six years old in a few months, but WOW!!  She's a blessing to all who hear her sing or see her in person!

That was my Christmas present to myself after I shopped for my friends; now I'm all done!!  YAY!!!!

The stores were crowded, but I really didn't have to worry:  sat down the whole time; walking around the mall is too hard for me, so I used my wheelchair.  Easier that way. 

Yesterday, our city kicked off the holiday season in style, with a mammoth Christmas Parade of Lights, special music, the lighting of the Christmas tree, a special appearance by Santa Claus who visited with as many little children as he possibly could, and so much more.  They even had fireworks, to cap off the evening, which were awesome!!  The display lasted a good twenty minutes; our ears were left ringing like the bells on Santa's sleigh after the finale ended.  It was wild!!

I entertained the crowd with three Christmas standards ("Silent Night", "Christmas Time's A Comin'", and "O, Holy Night"; I also played some Cajun standards for fun); it was great seeing everyone enjoying themselves.  Even saw Santa dancing; didn't know he liked Cajun music!  :)  He cut a mean two-step!  It was cool!!

Of course, I wasn't the only one singing on stage.  My mom, several of my sisters and brothers, and other members of our community performed as well, for a magical evening of music, fun, and family togetherness. 

It's been great having Steffi (and her boyfriend, Tank Griswold), Anh (and his wife-to-be, Thu), Johnny's brother, Erick, Lightning and Melizza, and Dwerlina and her family home for Thanksgiving.  We enjoyed catching up on each other's lives; it's surprising to see how big my cousins (Dwerlina's kids) have gotten.  (They leave today; it will be sad to see them go.  They will leave after we get back from church this afternoon.)

Then the house will be back to order (if you can call living in a family like mine normal ...  LOL), not to mention, somewhat quieter.  LOLOLOL

Well, I have to get back to getting ready for church, so I will go.  I leave in about an hour and a half.  Have to be there by eight thirty.  It's now nearly seven.  I will write in here again; until later, this is Ronee' wishing you the merriest of Christmases, and the happiest of New Years!  May God bless you now and always, and never forget the magic and the real reason that is Christmas!

Bye!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Ronee' Le-Anne.  :D