Another Christmas has come and gone. I hope you had a very blessed holiday with your family and friends.
When I look across the wide expanse of untouched white snow that covers our backyard, I am reminded of the story, "Stones in the River," only my story would have to be titled, "Squirrel Tracks in the Snow." It was really interesting watching the squirrels running here and there, tree to tree and up and down the branches. I wonder how many miles they travel in a day.
The December snow we received this year provided a beautiful layer of the white stuff just in time for those who wanted a white Christmas. It looks like everybody got their wish. There was just enough snow to cover the ground but not enough to prevent most people from reaching their Christmas destinations.
Christmas provides special events for people of all ages, but I believe that Christmas is for the children.
My mother and nephew, Kade, were able to spend Christmas Day with my nephew, Cameron, and his family this year. How can we know what children, especially babies so young, really know what it is all about? Remarkable, or so it would seem.
My mother commented that the presents under the tree were just that until it was time for opening. Like quicksilver, nine-month-old Emma dove into the first gift she was given, tearing the paper from it.
Of course, to kids I think that the wrapping paper is always the best part but it is amazing how children so young seem to know what things are all about.
Wondering what to get the wee ones for gifts is always a dilemma. It is a funny thing. The big things can be ignored, but the little ones are what they look to first. Emma’s absolute favorite gift she received was the plastic spoon still in the plastic wrapper that was included in the Fruit Loops box. My mother said that Emma examined it like it was a piece of gold.
Her uncle Kade, who has a knack for finding the unusual, had gotten Emma a fuzzy rocking horse, complete with sound effects. A little too big for her yet, but when she was put on the back of the horse she instinctively clasped her little legs of hers around it like someone from the royal guard or a like a jockey would. Children are unbelievable. If we only knew what they know.
Christmas is such a delicate day. There is so much feeling. It gets complicated when families have to divide or share the holidays with both sides of the family. And if that isn’t bad enough, there comes a time when families want, or need, to have their “own” Christmas, in their own homes. It’s hard on grandparents who don’t know which way to turn and would like to be part of all the family celebrations, which makes things bittersweet.
May you have the happiness of simple pleasures at the holidays and all through the year. Christmas as a holiday is past. But let not your hearts forget to leave room for the living Christ every day.
I am thrilled with the Christmas cards received each year and now many of them come with pictures. Yes, even if we just saw them a day or two before. It is nice to stay in touch, and of course letters updating the family goings on serve to remind the sender of the many things that have taken place over the past year. How can so many things take place in one year’s time?
Of course it is good to have been busy, but maybe we need to set aside time to meditate and rest our bodies and minds. You need to take care of yourself, not just for your own good but for your family’s as well. When you think, "I can do this," think of what it would do to your family if you let stress get the better of you.
With each passing year, grow stronger, grow wiser, and grow richer in spirit. May the year ahead be filled with new discoveries!
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Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented that they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us.
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Birthdays and anniversaries:
• Thursday, January 7th: Rodney Peterson, Gary Ayers, Stacy Jensen Pirkl, Karina Thompson
• Friday, January 8th: (Elvis Presley) Cameron Schember, Mike Marcus, Terry Pelzl, Dan Reese, David Jensen, Ryan Benning, Jennifer Rechtzigel, Brandon Borchert, John & Melissa Marlin
• Saturday, January 9th: Melinda Hanson Talamanates, Lisa Dunn Wayne, Mark Lee, Adam Deml, Jay Wangsness, Steve Vanden Heuvel, Becky Wayne Clark, Larry Jensen, Allen Dobberstein, Allan Swearingen, Dan & Lavonne Nelson
• Sunday, January 10th: Sue Hunnicutt, Martha Jacobson, Gary Nelson, Robert & Eleanor Leiser
• Monday, January 11th: Melissa Farr, Rick Hanson, Deb Robertson Hare, Brad Nelson, Kelly Reichl, Dennis & Barb Grunwald
• Tuesday, January 12th: Heather Mattson Johnson, Macy Misgen, Albert Diaz, Barry Jepson, Cindy Farner, Brian Milan, Chris Wilker
• Wednesday, January 13th: Lacey & Brad Grutzik, 2013, Julia Anne Marlin, Melonie Crabtree, Rita Sletten Nelson, Diane Lee, Haley Butler, Tracy Utpadel, Jay Brown, John Olson, Tracy Bergerson, Bruce Haberman, Gregory David, Jack & Gloria Jensen
• Thursday, January 14th: Brooke Sorenson Krohn, Darla Hagen Matthees, Christine Hanson, Skyler Cromwell Lembke, Jenna Marie Abbott, Mark Langlie, Ryan & Kerri Wagner
Life is a journey we begin each day. Here’s wishing that each new day is happier than the day before. Have a great day!
Surprise somebody. Call someone. Send a card and make their day. Little things mean a lot.
