Holidays | Grandma's Ramblings

I read this story a few years ago. I do not know who wrote it. It is not original with me but at this time of Thanksgiving I think it is so appropriate.

“One afternoon a shopper at the local mall felt the need for a coffee break.  She bought herself a little bag of cookies and put them in her shopping bag.  She then got in line for coffee, found a place to sit at one of the crowded tables, and then taking the lid off her coffee and taking out a magazine she began to sip her coffee and read.  Across the table from her a man sat reading a newspaper.   After a minute or two she reached out and took a cookie.   As she did, the man seated across the table reached out and took one too.  This put her off, but she did not say anything.

A few moments later she took another cookie.  Once again the man did so too.  Now she was getting a bit upset, but still she did not say anything.  After having a couple of sips of coffee she once again took another cookie.  So did the man.  She was really upset by this – especially since now only one cookie was left.  Apparently the man also realized that only one cookie was left.  Before she could say anything he took it, broke it in half, offered half to her, and proceeded to eat the other half himself.  Then he smiled at her and, putting the paper under his arm, rose and walked off.

Was she steamed!  Her coffee break ruined, already thinking ahead of how she would tell this offense to her family, she folded her magazine, opened her shopping bag, and there discovered her own unopened bag of cookies.”

I like that story – it makes me think about how well God treats me even when I am not thinking all that kindly about him. It also makes me think about how, sometimes, I do not really appreciate what I have or act like I know where it has come from.

Our country has been so blessed – but I think we have forgotten to be thankful and to remember the God who has blessed us so.

It reminds me of the story of the Israelites as they came to the land promised to their ancestor, Abraham, years ago. Moses warned them that after they had prospered in the land they were about to enter, had eaten their fill and had fine houses and large herds with silver and gold, that:

Do not say to yourself, “my power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.”  But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, and as he swearing to you today.”

Let’s be thankful this year for all the blessings we enjoy every day. Things we take for granted. Clean water, electricity powering all our devices, comfortable bed, free public education for our children, and the list goes on and on.

Most of all, I’m thankful for the love of God that gave us Jesus Christ our Savior.

To all my followers and friends on WordPress –

Halloween decorations are off the shelf – and even before we celebrate Thanksgiving, the stores are filled with Christmas decorations and music. Many of my friends tell me they are busy with their Christmas shopping list.

It is amazing to me how much money we spend at Christmas. According to the National Retail Federation, American spent 929.5 billion on Christmas in 2022, 955.6 billion in 2023 and it is estimated to grow 2.5% to 3.5%, to a new record of between $979.5 billion and $989 billion this year.

While Halloween spending is much less, it still is amazing what we spend. Americans spent $12.2 billion on Halloween in 2023 and $10.6 billion on Halloween in 2022.

Now – I am not trying to be Scrooge. Christmas is a great holiday – and absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying all the parties, gift exchanges and family gatherings.

BUT….as you begin shopping for family and friends, may I suggest you add something to that shopping list. Find an organization that helps the homeless, those who have lost their homes in natural disasters and the many in refugee camps around the world. The list goes on and on. Check out this website to find what needs there are – both in the USA and around the world.

https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/

There are many local organizations that could use some help. Local food pantries, Toys for Tots, check with your local school board for church for a family that could use help.

Check out my post on Mercy Ships.

https://wordpress.com/post/barblaneblog.com/7833

Let the joy of Christmas shopping extend beyond your immediate circle.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

I posted this before – but think it is good to know the history of this day. A story of this day you may not have heard in school.

Hampton Park in Charleston, South Carolina, is a beautiful place to walk or just sit and enjoy the many flowers, trees and the fountain.  When we spent a few months in Charleston during the winter of 2016 we walked almost every day in the park.  At 60 acres, there are plenty of walkways.  Just six months out from a knee replacement surgery, I found it a great way to get some exercise to build up my physical strength, but also a wonderful place to just sit and reflect on God’s creation.

But the park is also full of history.

Originally part of a plantation owned by John Gibbes, the portion that is now Hampton Park was purchased by the South Carolina Jockey Club and a race course was built.  Named the Washington Race Course, the one-mile loop is now a roadway that runs around the park.  Featuring some of the best horse racing in the South, it became the social event of the year during Race Week held every February.

During the Civil War it became a camp for Union prisoners of war.  At least 257 Union soldiers died at this location. Facing disease and the advance of the Union Army, Confederate guards hastily buried the dead in an unmarked mass grave.  Most white residents abandoned the city and it was ironic that the first troops to enter and march up Meeting Street was the 21st U.S. Colored Infantry.

Days later, free black residents and former slaves walked to the mass grave and reburied the Union soldiers in proper graves. Erecting a marker and a small fence around the burial ground they built a memorial arch which read:  “Martyrs of the Race Course.”

On May 1, 1865, black Charlestonians, many former slaves, along with white missionaries and teachers and Union soldiers staged a parade to the race course.  They laid flowers on the graves, listened to speakers of both races, and picnicked on the grass.

This celebration has been called by many America’s first Memorial Day. After the war, as the cemetery suffered neglect, the soldiers’ bodies were again exhumed and buried in 1871 in South Carolina’s national cemeteries at Beaufort and Florence.

Interesting that this celebration conducted by former slaves honoring the Union soldiers who died for their freedom has been buried in history and credit for this day of remembrance goes to others.

I would never have known of this Memorial Day celebration had we not walked in that park so full of history

And there’s more history there – but that calls for another blog.

Today for some will be a sad day as they remember their mother who is no longer with them.

Today for some will be a sad day as they grieve for that child they lost, or the one they have not been able to conceive.

To those in those categories, I pray you find God’s peace and comfort today.

For me this will be the 18th year without my mother.

I actually miss her more now than I did when she first died. As I age and find myself becoming more like her, I understand now many of the things she did that frustrated me at the time. I find myself doing or saying things to my daughter and see the frustration she feels. “I know that look” I think. It was probably the same look I gave my mother years ago.

Sorry Mom!

Today I am grateful that I had the privilege of being a mother. My two daughters are the joy of my life.

Today they are all grown up and mothers themselves. One daughter lives miles from me and our time together is very limited. Still, I treasure all the memories of the years gone by and thank God for the time we do have now and then.

Another daughter lives nearby and we will be spending some time together today.

Just a few thoughts on motherhood:

“The message of Advent doesn’t fit neatly into a sound-bite or vignette. It’s too complex, too deep, to compete with glitter and noise; and it’s a hard sell in a culture that would rather skip straight to the big finish. But Advent is too important to be forgotten, because it is this season that prepares us to encounter our Lord.” Kerry van der Vinne

“Everlasting God in whom we live and move and have our being, You have made us for Yourself so that our hearts are restless until they rest in You” Augustine of Hippo

“If Advent is an occasion when I re-turn my eyes to the Savior, then it is also an invitation to consider where my eyes—and my heart—have been in the meantime. Advent is the gentle nudge that invites me to remember that the truth most worth knowing is that Jesus Christ is the only way Home. It is also a gentle reminder that I ought to keep my eyes upon Him all year long.” Jean-Michel Hansen

“As the world around us surges into a frenzied and festive December, let’s take a step away from the party and ask the Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts for a deeper and truer celebration of Christmas” Kerry van der Vinne

“God gives God. That is the gift God always ultimately gives. Because nothing is greater and we have no greater need, God gives God. God gives God, and we only need to slow long enough to unwrap the greatest Gift with our time: time in His Word, time in His presence, time at His feet.” Ann Voskamp

Thanksgiving is over and it’s time for the Christmas season to begin. While it is a wonderful season, it always brings a debate among some on what greeting is correct – Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays.

I wrote this a few years ago – but think it might be a good reminder to how we really keep Christ in Christmas.

Which is Correct – Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?

Thanksgiving is over. The kitchen is clean again. The kids are gone. My house is quiet once again. As I listen to Christmas music and just relax with my feet up, thoughts of Thanksgivings past flood my mind. I remembered this post from 2017 about friends. Thought I would share it again.

In this article from 2017 I shared that the house where I was living was the longest I had ever lived in one house – 16 years.

Well guess what? After one more year – 17 years – I moved again. This time it was a big move. Not across town. Not down the road to the next town. Not across the state. No – I moved 383 miles to another state.

Once again I was the new kid on the block. But even at 70 it is never too late to make new friends. While I have envied those who have the long record of one home, one town, one set of friends, I have to admit I may have an advantage this moving around has given me.

Life is never boring as there is always new people to meet, new places to explore. My circles of friends expands. Perhaps I am more open to people who look or act different than me. It can be hard to see others objectively while living in a comfort zone of where everything, everyone is the same. Perhaps it has opened me to be more adventurous and not afraid of change.

After 5 years in my new home in Michigan, I am a happy camper. Michigan is a beautiful state and we have enjoyed exploring it. And we enjoy our small town.

Main Street is so beautiful at Christmas. We have a great high school marching band. Halloween is great when families come downtown to enjoy all the goodies the businesses offer. Even Elvis is only one of the great music acts we enjoy every summer.

And, yes, my list of friends has grown. When I get to heaven, I will no longer be the new kid on the block because I will know so many already. I truly have an abundance of friends.

Thanksgiving – a time with family.  Over the years the family gathering has gotten smaller as kids grow up, move away, have kids of their own.  But at this time of year, I always remember some of the great interactions with my grandchildren.

There was Robert:

Growing up Robert loved to talk.  I always tried to give him my undivided attention.  Picking him up after school one day, I had a stressful day at work and all I wanted was some quiet time.  As soon as he got in the car, he began talking away non-stop.  Our conversation went like this:

ME:  Robert, Grandma has had a busy day and I just need some quiet time.  I really am not up to giving you my attention and listening.

ROBERT:  That’s okay Grandma.  You don’t have to listen.  I just want to talk.

And Abby:

Sitting on our kitchen counter making cookies with her Aunt, Abby was chattering away non-stop (does talking a lot run in my family?).  Her grandpa came in the kitchen and gave her “the look.”  She responded:

ABBY:  Am I aggravating you Grandpa?

GRANDPA:  As a matter of fact, you are.

ABBY:  Good!

Then Matthew:

The one that makes me still laugh so much is the conversation we had with Matthew after he came home from kindergarten roundup.

ME:  Matthew, what do you think?  Are you going to like going to school?

MATTHEW:  It is going to be great.

ME:  What do you think is going to make it great?

MATTHEW:  All the girls are going to love me!

These 3 are all grown up now (I just posted the pictures of them that I love best).

But our youngest granddaughter, Zoe, has given us some of the funniest conversations.

ZOE:  Grandma, tell me a story about Jesus when He was a boy.

ME:  Okay.  When Jesus was a little boy.

ZOE:  No, Grandma.  Say “Once upon a time.”

And the one my husband loves the most is when she was only three years old.  Waiting for our food at a restaurant my husband excused himself to use the restroom.  As he was halfway between our table and the men’s room Zoe calls out in a loud voice:

ZOE:  Grandpa, it’s the one with “M” on the door.

Grandchildren, what a blessing.  Tomorrow I will miss being with most of them.  Living in Michigan, I have grandchildren in Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, Illinois, Tennessee and Missouri.

But my memories will keep me laughing.

And since Zoe will be at my house, I’m certain we will have some more interesting conversations to remember.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  If you are with family, enjoy and make lots of new memories.  If you cannot be with family, remember and treasure those times you had.