From Our House To Yours
My family gathered together last night as we have for years in the big old house my children grew up in.............this place holds many memories for me......the bad have faded the good stands out, willing to be mixed in with the new ones being made.
The party lasted longer than usual.........Jack sent a greeting by e-mail and I read it aloud, trying to shield the children's eyes from the picture of a man in speedo's with a huge gold cross around his neck......LOL
The party lasted longer than usual.........Jack sent a greeting by e-mail and I read it aloud, trying to shield the children's eyes from the picture of a man in speedo's with a huge gold cross around his neck......LOL
The picture Jack sent as well as the story he concocted as he stated, are but a part of the "essence" of Jack Hennessey.......each of my family has grown to love this precious man from afar.......experiencing some of his life and the Love of our Lord, as he fills the pages here on Sonshine......
This morning I planned a quiet day..........which in my family takes planning. Several of the kids decided to meet for breakfast at Knott's. The day will include viewing the play "Scrooge" at the Birdcage theatre..... and be touched again by Dicken's story of a man who chose things........over people and lived to regret it...........and once more hear the words, "I will keep Christmas In My Heart All Year Long, I Will Be A Changed Man, Just Give Me The Chance To Live". God did give Ebenezer Scrooge that chance.....Just as he has each of us.
I got up early and finished straightening up the house.....Still enjoying the thoughts from the night before. We were missing one family and each of us tried to ignore the fact that Misheal and Danny were in North Carolina with their 3 little ones, we missed them terribly. Through the night Owen my 4 year old grandson asked when is Noah (his little cousin and best bud) going to be here? As grandma's house had become their meeting place.
It brought home how I hate being separated from my children, the holidays make it harder. I have learned to live in the moment and enjoy what is instead of longing for what cannot be, we have just these moments together.....and I try not to let myself spoil them with undue sadness......still we decided to call the east coast and wake Misheal and Danny up, then sang into the phone, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", we cried at hearing her voice on speaker phone and were comforted. Sigh.
This morning my youngest, Christina and I were in the kitchen talking and again when missing our family as it once was came up, we cried, again......and shared how we hate things to change, but change they will.......
In trying to comfort her I said, how funny that we can't be completely satisfied when one we love is missing from the family gatherings. Experiencing their absence has caused us to understand how much we love them....... and that's how we learn...........
The spirit of the Lord welled up in me and said, that longing for all to be together comes from me........even though you know my love and love me in return, I still long for the missing ones to live in my presence.........I will not stop until the last one is awakened in me......the blinders are off and every man has returned home............
In trying to comfort her I said, how funny that we can't be completely satisfied when one we love is missing from the family gatherings. Experiencing their absence has caused us to understand how much we love them....... and that's how we learn...........
The spirit of the Lord welled up in me and said, that longing for all to be together comes from me........even though you know my love and love me in return, I still long for the missing ones to live in my presence.........I will not stop until the last one is awakened in me......the blinders are off and every man has returned home............
So truly, I'll be home for Christmas has taken on new meaning ...........one day.........every man, woman and child will return safely home to the Father a much wiser Son.
I pray one day in the not too distant future, our Father will allow us to meet and fellowship with the many friends we have made here on Sonshine.
Until then, know we love you more than words can convey.
We send our love and His,
Joian and Jack
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The "W" in Christmas - Author Unknown
The "W" in Christmas - Author Unknown
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations--extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even over spending.
Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas. My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six-year-old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production.
Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering their seats.
As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song. Because the public school system had stopped referring to the holiday as Christmas, I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment -songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.
So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snow caps upon their heads. Those in the front row-center stage -- held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing"C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message,"Christmas Love."
So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snow caps upon their heads. Those in the front row-center stage -- held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing"C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message,"Christmas Love."
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -- totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a"W." The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W." Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.
A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:
"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
May each of you have a Merry Christmas as you reflect on His amazing love for us!
