Merry Christmas, everyone.
As a child growing up in a Norwegian family, Christmas Eve was our biggest
celebration. We waited all day while mom cooked the traditional
meatballs, codfish with drawn butter, lefse, mashed potatoes and gravy, or
just good ol' boiled potatoes with butter on it. We went to church on First Street in San Jose at the lutheran church and
took part in the Sunday School plays and programs. It was usually raining
when we drove from church over to my aunt and uncle's house. My mom's
sister was one of the most kind and compassionate people I ever remember
in my life. She made everything cozy, and was always smiling with her big
dimples and twinkling eyes. My uncle would take out the accordian (he was
Swedish and boy, could he play), and we would sing, and sometimes dance. There was always a big Christmas party in Los Gatos - a Norwegian
Christmas party - that we went to. A huge Christmas tree was in the
middle of the room, and all of us would hold hands and sing and dance
around that Christmas tree for hours. I can still remember some of the
Norwegian songs we danced to, and the bowing and curtsies we did!! Those are my fondest memories. My aunt ended up dying of cancer at age 45, thus finishing the tradition
of Christmas Eve at her house. My uncle remarried, and my cousins grew up
and moved to Sweden. We ended up moving to Wisconsin, and having
Christmas with my father's relatives. This was such a serious let-down
compared to what I had always known and loved. My father's side of the
family did not get along, and many family members ignored each other even
though sitting in the same room. No one knew how to have any fun, and I
don't remember any dinner at all. I just remember wanting to get out of
there. Those are the sad times. I have tried to carry on the tradition of Christmas Eve with my own
family. We open presents on Christmas Day now, but the kids do get to
open one or two on Christmas Eve. The waiting and anticipation is almost
tortuous for the kids - I know Rachel, right now, is counting the hours
until we go to church, and can come back home for dinner and gift-opening.
It is a great time in life, and we want to make it a happy time, all
about Jesus and his love. There have been a lot of sad days this year. I have watched my mother's
decline and see now that her memory is fading and so many things that have
been important to her now are forgotten. Life seems so unfair, to think
that she lost her home and her husband ten years ago within two weeks of
each other, and had to start over. It is a good thing that my sister and
I have been able to care for her until her placement in assisted living
recently. Still, remembering the days that have passed in our lives
sometimes bring sadness that could overcome the joy of the holiday season. I well up with tears as I remember the loss of my pet chicken this year
due to neglect by a college student who was interning at our farm. He
died lonely and miserable in a rain storm without shelter. He always
looked to me and called for me to help him, as he was disabled by a back
injury that left him unable to walk. For two years after his injury I
placed him from his chicken house to outside, then back iside at night. I
carried him into Craig's shop when it was too cold to be outside. I gave
him bread soaked in water each and every day for his special treat. We
were friends, but this time, I was on vacation...... I think about the loss of Tigger, who I accidentally ran over with the
truck just a few short weeks ago - not sure I have forgiven myself for
that one yet. The sudden onset of sobbing tells me I have not. Sometimes
life just doesn't seem just, or merciful, or kind. I think of the struggles that my dog, Cookie, has had this year. Only 12
years old, Cookie lost an eye to glaucoma in May. I prayed and prayed and
prayed she could keep her other eye, but sadly that eye also was lost to
glaucoma in November. Totally blind, Cookie now relies on me for
everything in her life. She has no self-pity! She is happy and faithful
that she will receive all she needs for health and happiness. What an
example she should be to us! Still, at times, I cry for her. So unfair. I think about the losses we have had this year in terms of friends and
other peoples' beloved pets, all too soon. Where is God then? The truth is that God is very real, and has proven His presence in our
every day lives time and time again. We live in a world that includes the
Enemy, who roams the earth, seeking to steal, kill, and destroy. He can
do that through doubt, not faith. Faith overcomes that doubt, and God
sending His only son to die for us sealed the deal for eternity in heaven. There are many things I do not understand. Then I turn to the Word. Sometimes I don't find the answer. I can only go on faith. I do believe,
and I know He cares for all of His creation. I believe He holds our loved
ones in His arms, waiting for us to join them in paradise. We just need to
accept Him, believe in Him, and hang on to that faith. The size of a
mustard seed......... So let the holidays bring joy to your lives, and celebration! I will try
to do the same. Merry Christmas. My promise to the Lord is that I would
not get on the computer on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day so that I could
concentrate on His birthday, and my family. So I will be back on the
computer on December 26. I love you all, and ASAP thanks you for your
support! Mary Ellen M - $200 donation received today - your gift is precious!
(adopter of Tyler's Tanya) Bryan and Kim, who do so much already for ASAP (just look at the new web
site!) - adopters of Pan Overboard - $100 Bless you!!!! Sue
As a child growing up in a Norwegian family, Christmas Eve was our biggest
celebration. We waited all day while mom cooked the traditional
meatballs, codfish with drawn butter, lefse, mashed potatoes and gravy, or
just good ol' boiled potatoes with butter on it. We went to church on First Street in San Jose at the lutheran church and
took part in the Sunday School plays and programs. It was usually raining
when we drove from church over to my aunt and uncle's house. My mom's
sister was one of the most kind and compassionate people I ever remember
in my life. She made everything cozy, and was always smiling with her big
dimples and twinkling eyes. My uncle would take out the accordian (he was
Swedish and boy, could he play), and we would sing, and sometimes dance. There was always a big Christmas party in Los Gatos - a Norwegian
Christmas party - that we went to. A huge Christmas tree was in the
middle of the room, and all of us would hold hands and sing and dance
around that Christmas tree for hours. I can still remember some of the
Norwegian songs we danced to, and the bowing and curtsies we did!! Those are my fondest memories. My aunt ended up dying of cancer at age 45, thus finishing the tradition
of Christmas Eve at her house. My uncle remarried, and my cousins grew up
and moved to Sweden. We ended up moving to Wisconsin, and having
Christmas with my father's relatives. This was such a serious let-down
compared to what I had always known and loved. My father's side of the
family did not get along, and many family members ignored each other even
though sitting in the same room. No one knew how to have any fun, and I
don't remember any dinner at all. I just remember wanting to get out of
there. Those are the sad times. I have tried to carry on the tradition of Christmas Eve with my own
family. We open presents on Christmas Day now, but the kids do get to
open one or two on Christmas Eve. The waiting and anticipation is almost
tortuous for the kids - I know Rachel, right now, is counting the hours
until we go to church, and can come back home for dinner and gift-opening.
It is a great time in life, and we want to make it a happy time, all
about Jesus and his love. There have been a lot of sad days this year. I have watched my mother's
decline and see now that her memory is fading and so many things that have
been important to her now are forgotten. Life seems so unfair, to think
that she lost her home and her husband ten years ago within two weeks of
each other, and had to start over. It is a good thing that my sister and
I have been able to care for her until her placement in assisted living
recently. Still, remembering the days that have passed in our lives
sometimes bring sadness that could overcome the joy of the holiday season. I well up with tears as I remember the loss of my pet chicken this year
due to neglect by a college student who was interning at our farm. He
died lonely and miserable in a rain storm without shelter. He always
looked to me and called for me to help him, as he was disabled by a back
injury that left him unable to walk. For two years after his injury I
placed him from his chicken house to outside, then back iside at night. I
carried him into Craig's shop when it was too cold to be outside. I gave
him bread soaked in water each and every day for his special treat. We
were friends, but this time, I was on vacation...... I think about the loss of Tigger, who I accidentally ran over with the
truck just a few short weeks ago - not sure I have forgiven myself for
that one yet. The sudden onset of sobbing tells me I have not. Sometimes
life just doesn't seem just, or merciful, or kind. I think of the struggles that my dog, Cookie, has had this year. Only 12
years old, Cookie lost an eye to glaucoma in May. I prayed and prayed and
prayed she could keep her other eye, but sadly that eye also was lost to
glaucoma in November. Totally blind, Cookie now relies on me for
everything in her life. She has no self-pity! She is happy and faithful
that she will receive all she needs for health and happiness. What an
example she should be to us! Still, at times, I cry for her. So unfair. I think about the losses we have had this year in terms of friends and
other peoples' beloved pets, all too soon. Where is God then? The truth is that God is very real, and has proven His presence in our
every day lives time and time again. We live in a world that includes the
Enemy, who roams the earth, seeking to steal, kill, and destroy. He can
do that through doubt, not faith. Faith overcomes that doubt, and God
sending His only son to die for us sealed the deal for eternity in heaven. There are many things I do not understand. Then I turn to the Word. Sometimes I don't find the answer. I can only go on faith. I do believe,
and I know He cares for all of His creation. I believe He holds our loved
ones in His arms, waiting for us to join them in paradise. We just need to
accept Him, believe in Him, and hang on to that faith. The size of a
mustard seed......... So let the holidays bring joy to your lives, and celebration! I will try
to do the same. Merry Christmas. My promise to the Lord is that I would
not get on the computer on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day so that I could
concentrate on His birthday, and my family. So I will be back on the
computer on December 26. I love you all, and ASAP thanks you for your
support! Mary Ellen M - $200 donation received today - your gift is precious!
(adopter of Tyler's Tanya) Bryan and Kim, who do so much already for ASAP (just look at the new web
site!) - adopters of Pan Overboard - $100 Bless you!!!! Sue
