| Dear Santa !! How have you been. I chatted with you last night.I have been A good boy this year . Are you rested up and ready for your trip? Is your reindeers ready for their long flight, I would like a few things this year, A Gamecube, Need for speed underground, Backyard wrestling, NBA Jam, Backyard basketball, NBA street 2. I LOVE YOU SANTA Your friend, Sean P.S.I will leave plenty of milk and cookies for you. |
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| Merry Christmas 2003 & Happy New Year 2004 |
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| The christmas I will always remember. 12-3-03 by Midnight As I finished the last of my book ( a Stephen king novel) I looked over at the picture of him. Handsome, with his hat perched precariously on his head, a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth. He always had that smile, reminded me of mona lisa, everyone wonders what she was thinking at that moment in time, yet one never knows. He had only just left a couple weeks before, and already it felt like a thousand years. I would set and wring my hands and pace by the phone, waiting for that instant when it would ring, allowing me a few moments peace when I heard his voice, assuring me all was well there in New Jersey where he was stationed for training until they shipped him to Iraq in a couple months.. He was in the National Gaurd, and of course, would be the last to fight should anything erupt. But still, in the time of uncertainty and war,I had my doubts, and being young, those of you who remember, everything seems to be far worse than it is, ready to fall apart in an instant. The Christmas tree was in place, flashing it's display of lights, but instead of lifting my spirits, making me smile at the thought of family impatiently ripping open gifts, gathering around the table at a the christmas dinner, it was seeming to remind me that all it takes it one pull of the plug, one glitch in the system and the lights go out. Just like love, it burns, so bright at first, faithfully shining, easy on the eyes, a fuel for the heart, lights that can only be seen in young love, whenever the world seems as brillantly bright as those which adorn the tree. Little do we know, that all it takes is one wrong move, one misjudged sentance, and those light's brutally die. That very Christmas eve, I found myself in a state of pleasent shock as I opened the door and found him there, smiling that smile, in his army greens. I laughed and threw my arms around his neck, and now that I think of it, I was most likely cutting off his air way in my excitement. We whisperd our I love you's, and I kissed his cheek every moment that I could. My mother was smiling, knowing that I had gotten the most precious gift of all, his presence. The next day he was here while we all opened our presents, laughing and being thankful that we were just able to be there. Having the person I cared for so deeply there beside me, was indeed a blessing. I wept bitter tears as he left for Jersey again a week afterward, missing him already. I grieved whenever he called me and said two words, "were going". The months that followed were hard, harder than I had imagined. It was'nt the fairytale waiting I had dreamed. We both found ourselves channging, and after six months came to the heartbreaking conclusion, that all trust was missing, the stress, was eating us alive. I was'nt the strong person I had thought myself to be. And although, he begged me to reconsider, I told him my goodbyes and assured him he would stay in my prayers. The lights, the went out. He came home, only just a couple weeks ago. Perhaps he is recalling our last Christmas together, maybe he is'nt. Who really knows? The lights are dusty now. and although Christmas is almost upon them, although the lights may give off a spark, just a glimpse of the beauty they once held. They burn no more. This year, I will smile with my family, this year, I will be happy on Chirstmas, but I will never forget the last. Written by midnight |
| A Christmas Story The Way It Was 12-8-03 Christmas was coming and I was so excited. School had been dismissed for the holidays, and I spent my time helping my mom clean our little house. She gave me the small easy chores, but these made me feel like a big girl. I had hung my long stocking on the mantel above the fireplace. I couldn't wait for Santa to fill it. On Christmas Eve night there would be an orange, apple, nuts and a peppermint candy cane in it, but I looked it every day to make sure it was empty. Mom would take me with her to feed and milk our cow. She showed me the manger with hay in it, and told me Baby Jesus' mother had gently laid him on the hay in a manger much like this one. In my imagination, I could just see tiny Baby Jesus lying there. At night we would sit in front of the fireplace. I would always sit in mom or dad's lap. My dad would tell me about the shepherds seeing the bright Christmas Star, and following it to Bethlehem. There they found Baby Jesus and worshipped him. Then he would always say that the shepherds were poor working men. The moral of his story was that God loved all us poor people, and that he wanted all people to work like the Shepherds had done. On Christmas Eve night my mom or dad would distract me while the other would fill my stocking and put my few gifts in front of the fireplace or under the Christmas tree. In my imagination, I can see and hear mom say, "Come look at the sky, I think I can see Santa." I would look and agree it was Santa Claus. As I grew older, I knew that it was just stars twinkling in the sky. On Christmas day, my sister, her husband and my oldest nephew would come for dinner. We would always have a big ham (from the smokehouse) chicken and dumpling, cakes and pies. To a small girl this seemed like a great feast. Today I would love to go back to my small home with my family for one more Christmas, but I know the only way I can do this is in my imagination. Elizabeth McKinney |
| Christmas by: Renee Snowden 12-14-03 Christmas is truly my favorite holiday. We all know tthat Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ. That is a miracle in its self. Also having two small children of my own, i love spenidng Christmas with them. They get so excited when the tree goes up and they see the gifts under the tree. To wake up on Chrismtas morning and to se the smiles on their faces, it's priceless. My oldest son, who is going to be four this month, has been asking about gifts and such. I am trying to teach him that he shoud be greatful and that some people aren't as lucky as he is. I todl him that some children don't get presents at Christmas. This really upset him. He did't understand why. I tried to explain that it Christmas is actually the birthday of Jesus. I also try to teach him that it is also better to give than to receive. To make a long story short, by the end of the day; my son asked me if we could make or get gifts for people. That really touched my heart. |
| Christmas Without Mom 12-22-03 My mother loved Christmas so much and it was always special to her.She would start her shopping early so she could concentrate on her holiday cooking.She had all but a few of her presents bought when she had to be put in the hospital. As she lay in that hospital bed knowing her Christmas would not be spent on earth with us,she wanted to make sure that her christmas list was finished and those she hadn't bought for would have a gift from her.She made my sisters and i promise to finish her shopping for her.It amazed me that she was so sick yet still worried about others.Finishing her list was one of the hardest things we ever had to do.There was an emptiness as we did what she asked of us. We all met at her home on Christmas eve and her gifts were handed out to each person on that long list.There were tears as we remembered all the Christmas gone by,and tears for our beloved mother,who could not leave us without knowing each and every one had a gift from her. I cannot imagine thinking of others when your body is so full of pain,but she did as she had done her entire life.Giving so much yet expecting so little. She knew the true meaning of Christmas. As i look at the beauty of all God has created this Christmas and as i watch my family opening gifts,i will think of mom and see her pretty smile and i know she is saying"Merry Christmas,my child." My gift i give to you all,is a Christmas of Rememberance and love for each other.God bless all who still have a mom and dad to share these wonderful holidays with and a special wish to those who have lost their loved ones. Merry Christmas Mom,because i know you are here with us in spirit,this Christmas and all Christmas's to come. By Jean Fugate |
| December 2003 Dear Friends and Family, Greetings from the state of Kentucky! We have had an eventful year here at Riverside Christian School and have plenty of news to share with you . This is our second year here at Riverside as missionaries working to share the love of Christ to the students and families in our community. Ron is using his skills on the maintenance staff here and also drives a school van everyday . Ron also holds an on line bible study for a group of people that stretches world wide. This has been such a amazing experience as we have made friends in many other countries sharing and studying Gods Word and sharing with each other in prayer and fellowship. Soup beans, rice, and peach cobbler must have a healthy effect on teenage boys as Joshua has grown into a very healthy six foot, two inch teenager. Josh has become quite an athlete and has developed a passion for basketball. ( Living in Kentucky may have something to do with that!!! ) He plays center on his high school team. Joshua has had to get his tonsils out during the Thanksgiving Holiday . Don’t worry though he has had turkey dinner before and after this event and all the ice cream, popsicles, and jello a boy could ever want . Joshua is also active in the youth group at our church and is in the 9th grade here at Riverside Beth is the other ( almost ) teenager in our house . As she has said since her 12th birthday in May that she is almost 13. Ha! Ha! Beth likes to play softball and basketball but her true interests are shopping, clothes, and of course talking on the phone. Did a I mention that she likes to talk on the phone? Beth is in 7th grade this year and loves to write stories and bake. I have enjoyed a year of staying at home and doing all the things you dont allow yourself to do when you work full time. I have also been substituting for the county and city schools . I still enjoy my sewing and crafts. I also am part of a wonderful womens group at our church which includes a weekly Bible study. Many of our thoughts and prayers go to Maryland where much of our family including our daughter Laurie and her husband Sampy live. They have already seen a lot of snow. Im wondering if they are dreaming of a white Christmas . . . . . . It is so joyful to once again celebrate Christmas and Jesus Birthday. This year I just want to keep it as simple as possible. I want to just spend time with my family , listen to the beautiful Christmas carols, and remember the great gift of love, JESUS, that God sent to us. Merry Christmas! Sheri, Ron, Josh, and Beth |
| December 16, 2003 Making Memories Recently my daughter, granddaughter and I decorated her Christmas Tree. I told my granddaughter about how we decorated our tree, when I was a girl, about how we didn't have electric lights to put on it until I was ten or eleven years old. She looked at me with a sour look and said, "We are decorating our tree now, and you need new memories." I thought about her statement. This made me realize that each new generation needs their memories. I think this is true of so many of us older folks. We are so busy dwelling on our past memories that we're forgetting that we are making new memories everyday and every holiday. This is going to be one of my New Years Resolutions, to think of today and not rely on my memories of the past. As for this Christmas, I am going to think of making memories of it and not of the past. Too many of us think of the past holidays and wish for an old fashioned Christmas. We don't realize we are making precious memories for our children and grandchildren. I pray that I will make happy memories this holiday season for my family, because, I already have my memories of holidays past. Elizabeth McKinney |