I now feel officially OLD. My husband and I went to hear The Lettermen last night, and I still remembered every word to every song. Wow!!!! They were great!

Only one, Tony Butala, remains an original Lettermen. They still have the beautiful natural harmonic blend that made them so famous in the early 60's.

After singing many of their oldies, they entertained us with some beautiful Christmas songs for over three hours.

If you get a chance to see them, it will be worth your time, even if you don't remember or you are too young to embrace the music of the 60's.....

Sunday night my husband and I went to my old Church to hear their fabulous Cantata.. It was bitter sweet, and the huge sanctuary was full of wonderful memories.

My kids and I were baptised there.

They grew up singing and putting on programs, and plays. Our Youth Program was fantastic. My daughter was the pianist until she went off to college. They both started out in the Church Nursery.

I could close my eyes and see them both, and hear them both, and I missed them so much.

Old friends greeted me with warmth and smiles.

The Church has been redone several times, but it still held the spirit that I knew for over twenty years.

I kept thinking about all of the new members that would never know the beautiful people I grew up with. People that have long ago gone home to our Father. I miss them too. They made me who I am today.

Beautiful, kind, gentle men and women who gave me love. They did not realize I was not getting it at home. Except of course from my children. Hugs I received from them, were the only hugs I received from an adult. They gave so unselfishly. They never suspected my burden....

I know God put me there for a reason. It has been many many years since I was a member, and I know I can never go back to that wonderful place in my life.

I am a better person because of that Church. I can love more, and forgive more, and be sensitive to the needs of my family, because part of my spirit still lives in that Church...

Now I can celebrate Christmas!

Each December I vowed to make the month a calm peaceful experience. Even tho I cut back on non essentials, extensive card writing, baking, decorating and even cut back on spending, I still found myself overwhelmed and exhausted.

My Son was in kindergarten that year, and it was a very exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he had been memorizing songs for his schools WINTER PAGEANT. I did'nt have the heart to tell him, I'd be working the night of the program. I finially went to his teacher, and explained my situation, and she said not to worry, that I along with alot of other parents who could not make the program were invited to come to the Dress Rehearsal the morning of the program. And to my surprise, this satisfied my son, and he did not seem disappointed at all.

The morning of the program, I arrived ten minutes early, and found a good seat, and waited. Each class was lead into the Cafeteria by their teacher. They wore red sweaters, fuzzy mittens, and colorful caps.

Because the public school system had long ago stopped referring to the holiday as Christmas, I was expecting songs about snow, and Santa and reindeer. So when my sons class announced their song would be Christmas Love, I was alittle shocked.

The kids on the front row held up large letters. As the class would sing C is for Christmas, a child would hold up a C. H for Happy and on and on until each child holding up his letter completed the message Christmas Love.

The program was going fine until we suddenly noticed a small quite little girl holding the letter M upside down.

The audience and older children begin snickering at the mistake. She had no idea they were laughing at her and stood straight and proud.

When the last letter was raised we all saw it together. A hush fell over the audience and eyes begin to widen. In that instance we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrate the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for the festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear.... CHRIST WAS LOVE! And he still is!! And will always be!!

This morning I heard a story on the radio about a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at rows and rows of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on the shelves, she finially made it to the elevator with her two kids. She was feeling what many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list and the pressure to respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finially the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car, and she dragged her two children and her bags of stuff. When the doors closed she could'nt take it anymore and stated "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot".

From the back of the car everyone heard a quite calm voice respond "Don't worry, we have already crucified him".

For the rest of the trip down the elevator, it was so quite you could hear a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deeds, purchases and word.

If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world
would be.

Each December I find more and more to be thankful for, and this year is no exception......

December,1965 was a terrible month because I lost my Dad. My Dad loved Christmas, and I did'nt think it would ever be the same, but it got alright when my babies were born! He would have loved his grandkids, and now his great grandson.

My sister in law is in remission again. She may get to go home next week. She completed her third stem cell, and chemos and each day she gets stronger. Thank you for your prayers!

I've been retired a year, and I have not made my husband go mad. In fact, I think we are closer.

I will go home to see my Mom for the 61st time at Christmas. She is so excited about my sister in law getting to come home. Of course she never doubted that she would'nt. She has always said she would.

My grandson celebrats his first Christmas with all the people who love him. He is trying to walk, and it will be fun for us all.

I wish we were at Peace, and that there was a Cure for cancer, and couples would try to be kinder to each other, and kids would'nt be abused....I wish people could Forgive, and quit feeling sorry for themselves. But most of all I wish People would know my Lord up close and personal. For without him I would'nt want to see tomorrow. For with him I can face tomorrow!