Merry Christmas

Twas one day before Christmas and all thru the store
Customers were dashing in and out the front door
The carts were all loaded, with goodies galore,
From every aisle through out the Wall Mart store
Sixteen tills were all ringing, carolers singing.

Now moms, now dads, are you sure everything is there?
And are you sure that your wallets aren't already bare?
Some have been shopping throughout the year,
Starting on boxing day, at this very time last year:

Are the chocolates all bought, the caramel corn there?
And what about that turkey to make that dinner so fare.
Please be sure to keep those hearts merry
Don't be in such a rush that the children get weary

Are you "really" ready for Christmas?
Have you set your homes in order?
Do you remember the Bible that sits on your table:
And that baby that was born so long ago in the Bethlehem Stable
Why did that baby come to be born to the virgin Mary that very night?
And what is the meaning that it brings to us this very time of year?
What about our hearts? Are they set at rest?
And what about those children who were born in our nest?
Given to us to love, cherish, and take care of for "Him"

So as we all scurry around, dashing thru all the doors
Let's remind ourselves, the real reason this season is for.
A very merry Christmas to each and every one of you
This is Wascally Wabbit from our humble little igloo,
Elmer Fudd, Captain Ron (our Wolf)
Little Eskimo and Mini Eskimo, too!
And the one so many miles away,
Jon the Typhoon survivor in Taiwan, in Taipei!

One Year Ago

One year ago today our most beloved mother was ushered into Heaven's domain. God said, "Barbara, I am going to end your suffering, and take you home with me to Heaven". "It is time, I want you home with me". As we all stood around moms bed, holding on to her for the last time, our hearts deep in all different kinds of emotions. We knew she needed to go, but none of us wanted to say good bye for the last time. There were alot of heart wrenching tears, all of us in our own world of thoughts as she slipped away into the presence of the Lord. Her three daughters stood at the end of her bed and sang "He The Pearly Gates Will Open", while everyone stood around in tears, and joy that mom was now at peace and no longer suffering. Aunt Mollie dialed her daughters with a cell phone so they could be a part of what was happening within moms room. They stood in tears at the other end of the phone as they heard the song being sung. That was only an hour ago, at this very time, one year ago today.

This morning I stayed home to have special time by myself with my Bible and Thoughts especially for my mom and dad and family. I opened my Bible up to John chapter 14, and read , "Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you. I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

Tho we miss her terribly, some day, we will be reunited with her forever. Those of us who know the Lord Jesus as our personal Saviour have that hope and assurance, that one day, where He is, there we will be also. I look forward to that day I see my mom again. I miss her terribly, her smile, her laughter, her love and thoughtfullness, I can go on and on. I miss you mom, and I will see you again, you can count on it.

As I sat on my bed this morning, I spent much time in prayer for my whole family, including grandsons, granddaughters, Aunts and Uncles etc. I love you all , and know that I am not the only one thinking about what this day means to all of us. I love you Dad, very much. You are so special to me, I am so thankful we have you in our lives. I pray for you always. I pray mostly for you, as she was your life for so many years, and I know it has been the hardest for you. Your kids all love you very much. And are very proud of you.

Home With Jesus

One year ago tonight, we had just got our call from dad, that the doctor's didn't expect mom to make it thru the night. Even tho you know that this call is going to come, you are never ready. Hearts panick, brains kick into gear, the phone is busy with arrangments being made on how you will try to get there. You know you won't make it in time, but your heart still pleads, "please hold on mom", I'm coming. "Please just hold on long enough for your kids to get there. So many kids that are making different arrangments, whether by plane, bus, car, etc. So many phone calls. We had previously scheduled an evening "financial meeting" in our home, which needed both of our attentions. My phone kept ringing, and I kept running. My laundry machine and dryer going steady, suitcases being packed. How do you pack? Knowing you need to be prepared for a funeral for you mom? I don't want to pack funeral clothes.

All the while on the plane I kept praying, "Lord, please just help her to hold in long enough for us to see her one last time". I know that sounds selfish, because mom has been suffering for so long. But my heart ached to see her and hold her hand one last time. The last time I went to Montana on the bus, was the same, I knew I wouldn't make it, and neither did dad, but mom held on. I was so thankful. Mom's kids all made it to the hospital, which I am so thankful for. Mom needed to know we were all there. The doctor and nurses said there was no reason our mom "physically" should still be alive, and that they believed she was holding on for her kids. That was God's miracle.

After we were back home just a week or so before Christmas, I at night, every night pulled out our sofa bed and put the Gaither Video on quietly, and would just lay there by myself and think, and pray, and cry. I missed her, I will always miss her. The tears are always there yet, even now as I write. As you see, she was very special to me, and will always be. Things kept going round in my mind every night as I lay by myself with my own thoughts. One night I got out pen and paper and started writing, and this is what came out. I wrote a "prose", which Jeannie called it. She helped me edit it, and helped it all come together, and fit more like a poem. This is our time together in mom's room, as we all were there together with her to say goodbye. I will write it in seperately, on my next post. A few moments from now.

Christmas Time Memories

Am feeling alittle sentimental tonight. Even "wascally wabbits" get sentimental now and then. While driving home tonight, I popped in Lee Greenwood's CD, that came out right after 911, and it is packed full of all the patriotic songs that we love. It brought tears to my eyes, cause you see, I'm one of those "proud americans" that Lee Greenwood sings about, who left the beautiful state of Michigan, to become a part of my husband's world, in Canada. I left my family behind, who are very special to me, to live in the beautiful province of Alberta. I am very thankful that God allowed me to be born and raised in Michigan. I am also very thankful for my Mother and Father who worked their hardest to take care of their children. This is the time of year when "memories" seem to always come full force into our minds. It's the time of year we become that "little kid" again, and try to relive memories. Such fun memories. I sit here in a little corner at my desk, and look up at a picture of my mom and dad and us kids, which sat in our home the whole while we were growing up, and it now sits in my home. 4 little "wascally wabbits" in the picture with mom and dad. The 5th little wascally wabbit had not been born yet, he came 8 years later. Memories, wow, so many memories. Memories of those Christmas mornings when us kids would figure mom and dad had had enough sleep time, and present opening time was now, so we would all go pile on their bed and make sure they were good and awake. You must forgive dis "wascally wabbit", for being sentimental, cause you see, this is a sentimental time of year for me.

Just one question, for those of you who is gonna send carrots, could you please add a box or two of kleenx? Time to put in some cute christmas songs.

Away In A Manger

This week has been the start of the "Christmas" celebration. Stores are full of everything you could possibly want in the line of decorations, snow men, santas, stars, candles, candy canes, mistletoe, etc. When you walk into my store, the first thing you see is a huge, beautifully decorated Christmas tree all lit up. The only thing missing are the presents under the tree. On Sunday morning a lady went to the front of our church and shared how she had just had her eyes opened wide to the fact that there are people in our world who have no idea on the "real reason" we celebrate at this time of year. She shared how she had gone into a store and asked where their "nativity" sets were. And the young store associate looked at her and asked "nativity"? He had no idea what she was talking about. A nativity set up is definately not the first thing you will see in our stores today, nor able to find that easy. On the spot, she began sharing with the young associate about the "real reason" we celebrate. That little baby in the manger how many years ago, is the reason we celebrate. The baby born in a manger, because there was no room in the Inn. That baby is our hope. He came to earth for us. I was challanged Sunday morning to "take that opportunity", as I am able to , to share the "good news" of the birth of baby Jesus.