Special Christmas




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" December 4, 2002 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart" ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ What a wonderful idea Betty and her family had! They blessed lives that Christmas Eve in a way that couldn't help but touch their own. ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- A Special Christmas Never Forgotten By Betty King ------------------------------------------------------------- The family was all gathered at our house; it felt good, the kids and grand-kids bounding in with their packages. Christmas carols connected our souls, lights danced a welcome greeting and the aroma of pine needles and baked goodies strutted through the house. Red fruit punch beckoned taste buds and love could be seen floating between hugs and kisses. Eagerness pounced from the eyes of the children as adults radiated joy and peace their hearts had seized. The mantle held the kids, grandkids, the dogs and Bill and my stockings; while the fireplace glowed with embers. Smiles were being passed around warming faces red from the winter's frigid cold. Christmas was always a fun time at the 'King's House.' Decorating, candy making and cookie baking had got me into the Christmas Spirit months earlier. I always started right after Halloween to prepare for 'The Most Wonderful Time of The Year.' My toasty warm oven enthusiastically baked the goodies and the freezer overflowed with acceptance. I loved Christmas and I loved giving. My Mother- in-law had passed to me her generous heart. I enjoyed giving my baked goodies to friends and neighbors and there were always gift exchanges and donations for worthy causes that time of year. I loved buying for the kids and grandkids, those born to us and those we had inherited. With families as they are these days his, mine and ours are more than likely gathered around most Christmas Trees. So it was at our house that year, our daughter and her husband had brought his children from a previous marriage to celebrate with us; they were now part of our family and we welcomed them with open arms. We partook of the Christmas Eve Buffet, a generous array of cold cuts and cheeses, my special homemade potatoes salad, dips, chips, cookies and candy; Christmas Day they would all return for the 'Big Christmas Dinner.' Christmas Eve was always a special time at our house and a quick buffet served the purpose, for there were other things more pressing to engage in. We all filled our plates and found a place to sit as the seating arrangements were very informal and eating took second place to upcoming events. Dinner over, it was time to proceed with the special activity planned for this particular year. Wanting to instill in the children of the family that giving is more important than receiving I had planned something a little different. Every member of the family had been given the name of a resident at one of our local Nursing Homes. They had also been given a list of items that the person needed or wished for. The kids and grandkids had done their shopping and had brought their gifts all wrapped and tagged. We gathered them together and piled in our cars and headed for the facility that sheltered the elderly and many times lonely citizens of our community. Most of the small children had never been to an establishment that provided care for the elderly; it was to be a new experience. We arrived and filed inside; as a family we sang Christmas Carols and visited with the residents. The lonely old man in his wheelchair was anxious to talk with the children. The lady alone in her room wanted us to delay our departure. I had requested the names of those with the biggest needs and those who were most likely not going to be visited by any family or receive gifts from anyone else. Tears could be felt in our hearts and seen in their eyes. There was so much wisdom filed away in the folds of wrinkles so many forgotten memories hid behind blank stares. So much joy had been packed way and unopened for years. We felt we were keys unlocking doors where behind sat forgotten souls needing a smile, a hug or a kind word. We greeted, visited, gave our gifts to those assigned to us, sang our songs and left reluctantly. We returned home where Santa visited; that was also a King family tradition. We exchanged our gifts and love was spread around as usual. That Christmas our hearts were warmed more by what we gave than by what we were given. Years later one of the grandchildren recalled; "That is one Christmas I will always remember." She had learned that year what we should remember all year round, It Is More Blessed To Give Than To Receive. She also learned those filed away and forgotten often have a store house of blessings to give. Gifts given from the heart are never forgotten, by those who give them or those who receive them. Betty King baking2 @ charter.net (You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story, just remember to remove the space before and after the @ symbol. The space is placed in the address to protect our writers from viruses and email harvesting programs. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Betty King writes humorous and inspirational stories. She has lived with MS for over 36 years and has written books, "It Takes Two Mountains to Make a Valley" and "But - It Was in the Valleys I Grew." For more information on her books she can be reached at baking2@charter.net -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- I just finished reading Diane's story of "Angel At Midnight," which I must confess, I have read before, but get blessed each time I read it! And your thanksgiving story was also absolutely beautiful. The family reminded me of the Cratchet's in Srooge. Your double feature's brightened my day. Keep up the good work! Have a blessed holiday too. Annettee Budzban ***** GREAT story Cheryl. As it implies: ALL things work to good for those who love the Lord. Who appeared to be a "twit" was truly an angel bearing food for a hungry family 'not' on the list. And the name-caller was Satan bearing God's blessings unaware! Wouldn't that just fry Lucifer if he really understood that? LOL. Lots of love in Christ Bonita M Quesinberry, R.C. http://www.geocities.com/pen_for_god --------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner My new stove performed beautifully! I cooked more food than I had originally planned. No one went hungry for days around here. It was such a blessing to have all four sons, two daughter- in-laws, four grandsons and friends around the tables. The youngest grandson took one look at all the food and started shouting, "Eat, eat, eat." And he did, very well for a one- year-old. The four and three year old grandsons gave each other a big grin and ran to the back yard to dig worms. I think there is still a can of worms in my kitchen. The one year old picked a white pansy with a purple face and had a great time shaking it at everyone. He would run squealing and laughing when someone acted like they were going to take it from him. When no one was looking, he ate it. It's a good thing I don't use pesticides on them since I was planning to use them in an ice ring for punch. After eating, my sons and their friends got out their guitars and serenaded us. It was such a peaceful and enjoyable time. I feel truly blessed. I hope your Thanksgiving was as enjoyable as mine. God Bless Cheryl ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- © 2002 Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors. --------------------------------------------------------------- All subscriptions sent to your e-mail free of charge.