She wasn't just my son-in-law's mother. She was the other grandma, the one who Lived close enough to baby sit our shared Grandsons and give them the daily attention That I could not. I didn't begrudge the extra time she Spent with them. I was grateful they had another grandma Who loved them as much as I did. I treasured her friendship. We were sisters in Jesus. Joan died too young, and after Several years I still miss her. When my son-in-law was sorting through His mom's clothing he held back a plaid fleece Jacket wondering whether I might like to Have it. It's mostly brown, not my color at all, And it looks outdated. But I slipped it on and it fit Perfectly. And it's warm. I'm always cold in my house. I brought the gift home with me and Laundered it so it is fresh and seems Almost new. I feel loved when I wear the soft garment, warmed By the memory of the dear woman who once Wore it. And when I see our boys, tall now and handsome, I am Reminded of the beautiful bond between us that can Never be broken. |
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My friend's granddaughter is just
Nine, but she's got a huge heart for A little girl. Waiting to see a Christmas production Downtown, she spied the Homeless man. "We need to help him," she told her dad. He gave her a 5 dollar bill. The little gal got down in front of the man, Handed him the money and then Threw her arms around him in a Tight squeeze. "Thanks," the fellow told her, and then He addressed her parents as well, "You don't know how I needed that tonight. When you raised her, you did something right." Indeed! If only we could see the faces around us Through a child's eyes. The neighbors have gone home, and
I have a few moments to reflect on Our morning. I invited them to a "Cookie and Coffee" get together at my House, but I simply had to include a Few carols, the timeless ones like "Joy to the World," and "O Come All Ye Faithful." We shared stories of our best and Worst Christmas gifts which ranged from The tiny treasure of a new baby to a Gift wrapped box of toilet paper. I shared a poem about Christmas hope for Those who grieve during the holidays, and We closed by singing "Silent Night" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Each gal left with a bag of homemade Caramel corn, and I was left with the Afterglow of a warm gathering of Friends. When my prayer is answered,
Praise! But when my request is denied, Disappointment. It takes time to ponder God's goodness and Faithfulness until I am able to work my Way up to acceptance, To peace and, finally, To praise as well.
The production had all the bells and
Whistles, as Jack would have said: Flaming torches, ethereal mist rising from The stage, a live baby Jesus and a Live camel too. The approach was novel, an angel Explaining the Christmas saga from Creation past, Planned before the world began, A promise kept. But the story was the same, for Truth doesn't change. A child was born to save us. A God/man was born to die in our Place, the ultimate Christmas gift. I was touched by the beautiful Music and drama. But I am just as moved by simply Pondering the before time, timely message, "For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord...Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will to men." * Glory be to God! Glory Be! *Luke 2: 11,14 I was heading north to spend the
Night at my daughter's house, eager To hear my grandsons perform in Their Christmas program. Meanwhile, my brother and his wife had Left Indiana and were headed south to Stay at my house. We would meet up the next day at Our family Christmas at the farm. When I stopped along the highway to Fill my car with gas, I recognized the Man fueling his car next to mine. My brother!! We were incredulous. We laughed. And we laughed. We said, "I'll see you tomorrow." And then my brother and his wife Continued south to my abode while I hurried on north to Rachel's, still smiling At our chance encounter along Rt.23. My girls and I memorized the
Verses years ago. I'm glad. For I often repeat them at Bedtime, like I did last night. "On my bed I remember You. I think of You through the watches of The night. Because You are my help I Sing in the shadow of Your wings. I stay close to You. Your right hand Upholds me." * I don't feel quite so alone in my big Bed when I remember that my Father's love is blanketing me like a Hen's wings cover her chicks. And in the darkness, comforted by His closeness, I drift off to sleep. *Psalm 63:5-8 At the nursing home my object lesson
Dealt with angels. They were a vital part of the Christmas story, and they still do God's bidding today. "Angels carried the beggar to paradise," I told the group, "and I believe they Will escort us home too." What a comforting thought! I told the folks that I'd never seen one Of the heavenly beings, But afterwards our speaker shared his Own divine encounter. He had made an urgent trip to India and was exhausted. In the wee hours of the morning at a Deserted airport he was riding up the Escalator when he felt himself falling Backward. There was nothing he could do to stop his fall. But two men from behind pushed the man Forward and he made it safely to the top. When he turned around, his helpers Were nowhere to be seen. My friend is convinced they were Angels. I have no reason to doubt his story. But his account causes me to wonder. How often have angels protected me when I've been totally unaware? "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." Psalm 43:7 I wish I had dug my manual out of the
Glove compartment of my car to Determine what the light on my Dashboard meant. I kept putting it off. But, finally, I couldn't ignore the Bumping and rumbling as I tried to Steer my vehicle down the street. I managed to ease into a convenience Store so I could assess my problem. It was, indeed, a convenient place to Park my car overnight, for my Back tire was not only flat, but Shredded. In the bitter morning cold, my kind Brother replaced the bad tire with a Spare so I could drive it to the Tire store. It was an expensive lesson, but my Mistake pointed out a spiritual Application. Read the manual. Heed the warning, or Pay the price. |
Dorothy Kalb Hsu Seitzinger
Writing poetry has helped me process and express my sorrows and joys, my concerns and blessings. "Life is hard, but God is good!" Archives
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