The Gift Of Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

My prayer is you know how much you are loved! You have made a huge difference in our lives! Thank you so much! We know we are loved so much because of your kindness over the years. We look forward to a good 2021.

The Magic of Love

 

5-minute read

Our daughter was born from our hearts in 2015. This is the month she came to the US five years ago.

∞ ∞

All of our nieces and nephew have brought us a kind of magical love, each as they came into this world.

Austin is a businessman working with his brother Tyler. He is an avid hunter and could be a TV outdoorsman. He is married to the wonderful Emilee who works in the businessworld as well. They are expecting their first child next year and will be great parents. I have enjoyed listening to Austin's favorite songs, hearing about his hunting adventures and for a bit, loved hearing his guitar playing. He's a natural musician, picking up Puff the Magic Dragon quickly, the easiest song I know how to play.

As mentioned, Tyler runs a business with his brother. He and his wife Alyssa had their first child recently and are terrific parents already. Tyler is also a hunter, but has the gift of organization and how to make things run well. I recall reading books with Tyler and have enjoyed his opinions since a child.

Tori is a teacher and was always great with children and animals even when she was a young girl. She also recently became a personal trainer. She has a gift of painting signs with positive sayings. She is movie-starrish, and well-spoken.

Holden is working with an engineer. He has the gift of detail and can recount a movie in great detail, as well as describe how things work. He's the game of Life guru. I believe Holden won the most when we played. He once picked up John's trumpet and did a great job picking out the notes. Holden is a singer also.

Ava is a nurturer and connector. She enjoyed singing and dancing to movies as soon as she could talk. She is very coordinated and is an adventuress and loves nature. Her laugh is contagious and she's an asset at her job in customer service at a tourist center. She also is taking courses and keeps her plate very busy. Ava sings with her siblings.

Jackson is an very articulate, likes to solve philosophical puzzles quickly and would probably make a great professor. He too is in customer service at a tour center and is loves nature along with his siblings. He is a singer too.

Audrey is a creator and seamstress. She too has a gift with words and has great thoughts on local to global events on social media. She'd make a good journalist one day. She's a student and loves to sing as well.

We have other "nieces and nephews" who are not blood who've made a difference in our hearts as well. Sarah and Andy are two amazing adults as well. Sarah is a college professor who loves to work out and is making a difference in her world. Andy is a businessman is married to Megan, a teacher and men's track coach. They are expecting their first child early next year.

From times at our home playing the game of Life and other games, watching movies, eating pizza and going fun places together, we feel that magical love for each of our nieces and nephews. We were happy being aunt and uncle. Then…

∞ ∞

Monika's story came to us in July 2013. By the time Monika came into our lives, she fit. She's family oriented, friendly, a wonderful student, both in homeschooling and the High School where she finished. She loves her family dearly and wish her only the best in life all her days.

∞ ∞

My favorite Monika story was when we were in Poland, she asked if she was going to get bracelets. We had already purchased many. I cocked my head in a questioning fashion. Then she pointed to her teeth.

“Oh, braces! Yes, we’ll get you braces.” Then she slapped her thigh and laughed that big laugh!

∞ ∞

Now that we are parents, we feel like the lucky ones. Thank you nieces and nephews for the magical love all these years. We have fond memories of each of you. 

∞ ∞

Today Monika’s a well-adjusted young lady. She’s in college studying marketing. She also is number 1 or 2 in sales at her place of business. She has a Julia Roberts’ laugh. Loves everyone, and like her parents are the first to admit to not being perfect. But life is filled with grace, not only Divine Grace, but human grace. There is something good in everyone and every season.

I am very glad to be here today and wouldn’t go back to any place except to relive all the good memories which are countless. In the end, it's all about that magical love that only grows as the years pass.

It Just Doesn't Matter

The saying goes it doesn't matter if you win or lose, but how you play the game. 

In this comic scene, Bill Murray is saying it doesn't matter how they play the game, because the other team will always be advantaged no matter whether their team wins or loses. In a sense, to be concerned about the outcome, or how uncomfortable the game is feeling is the equivalent of filling one's mind with poop.

I read about a famous artist who needed an essential female procedure, a bit later, they were not themselves. For many years, they told an upsidedown version of their lives to many friends and family despite having lived a great life. It was a failing on the doctor's part. But when they got their solution, all that junk faded. They are fine now. In the final analysis, that upsidedown story just didn't matter, it was a poopy-diaper.

If you've ever been through a strange season, never tell yourself, nor let anyone tell you your life/experience/season is a waste. In another Bill Murray movie, What About Bob, Bob makes the comment that sometimes people are temporarily disconnected. Sometimes people need a break so they can get their perspectives correct again. It can happen to anyone at any time. It's never too early nor too late to learn lessons, pick yourself up from having stumbled and finish your race. In fact, those who've stumbled the hardest and get back up are deserving of an extra round of encouragement that they might finish their race well. The best encouragement in these times are encouragement, good/funny stories and memorable experiences that will help a loved one get to the other side.

All hurt hurts. But wounds can heal. There is a hurt called moral wounding. It's where we hurt someone we love or a loved one hurts us accidentally. Most cases can be resolved with a short talk. In the end, the issue goes away, and what remains is a lovely lesson for the next season or to pass on to the next generation.

With time to convalesce, no matter what poopy-diapers get thrown at us, it just doesn't matter.