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A Reason to be Thankful
As Thanksgiving gets closer and I look at my grandchildren I am so grateful for their lives and Children's Hospital in Denver. Three of the four were born the week of Thanksgiving, different years. Two of the three spent a long time in the new born intensive care at Children's Hospital. Thanksgiving those 2 years was rough. Sitting in a hospital room wondering if the babies were going to make it. Now they are six and five and doing great. I am so thankful for the hospital and God for pulling those special little ones through. Every Thanksgiving I remember where the family was those previous years and say a special prayer for them and all the other families who have a sick loved one over the Holidays.
PraireRose (Jacquie)
Colorado
Here's a funny Santa story my daughter emailed me. (Hope no one is offended by this one!!)......
A LITTLE-KNOWN CHRISTMAS FACT
One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip ... but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule. Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her mom was coming to visit. This stressed Santa even more. When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven knows where. More stress. Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of coffee and a shot of whiskey. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had hid the liquor and there was nothing to drink. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the coffee pot and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw it was made from. Just then the doorbell rang and Santa cussed on his way to the door. He opened the door and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree. The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas Santa. Isn't it just a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Isn't it just a lovely tree? Where would you like me to stick it?" Thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.
Fairywing
It was the first Christmas after my parents had passed away. My family lived in Indiana and six months previously my company transferred me from Texas to Denver, Colorado. I was the company's only employee in Colorado and I was working 70 hours a week, knew no one, can you imagine how lonely I was? I had managed to get three days off for Christmas and was set to fly out of Denver. The nastiest storm came up and when I arrived at the airport they were cancelling most flights, and American cancelled all theirs. I hustled from the American counter down to Continental's and tried to book a flight. The woman at the counter said they would accept my ticket but I would fly standby behind ALL Continental passengers. A fair policy but with all the cancellations, I was definitely grounded. I told the ticketing agent that the ticket was my three days vacations for the year. She hit a few more buttons, handed me my ticket, and said Merry Christmas, Mr. Wulff, your flight is CONFIRMED. Somewhere at Continental is an angel, and that, my friends is the best xmas present I ever received.
Peppertown
Vic and DOC.....read what you two said earlier about horses, and just had to share my story with you. Know you're gone for a while, but hope you'll read this later today......I had the same horse syndrome growing up-----and didn't give up till I was 17!! My Dad wanted to get one (he had them as a kid), but my Mom said no---too much work. (And boy was she right!). Many years later, my Dad died of cancer, and my sister and I were each allowed to request one very special thing of his to keep. I asked for his watch, because he wore it as far back as I could remember---even all the months he was so sick. But it was a big watch, and I didn't want to wear it, so just put it away in a drawer, and took it out to hold and think of him from time to time. 18 years later, I had a daughter who was riding and had found a horse (a big pony really) she wanted---alas, no money to buy her.....Then one day I was cleaning and came across Daddy's old watch....and discovered it was a gold Rolex----which I had never really thought about before. I knew what I had to do! A friend who owns an antique jewelry store found a buyer for that watch, and it paid for Darcy (our big white pony---just what I always dreamed of!) and a year's worth of feed and hay. I have never had the slightest doubt that my Dad finally bought me the white pony of my dreams. And it was for a granddaughter (who is eerily just like him---even facial features) he never met, too.That mare (who my daughter showed for years, but is now "retired") has filled our den with trophies and blue ribbons and silver bowls and trays----and our hearts with some of the most special memories we'll ever know.And I always felt Dad was right there alongside us. A nice Christmas story isn't it?....And a true one at that! Back to reality----got to go out and feed that old pony and the other horses we have now!
Jane
Best Xmas/favorite gift: My mother was a single mother of 3 girls. So we always started shopping early for the little ones. One year the youngest informed mom, the week before Xmas all she wanted was a guitar so she could learn to play, join the Beatles band and support mom so mom didn't have to work. Thank goodness my boss give me a nice bonus... mom and I rushed out and got Deb her guitar. The smile on little sisters face is a memory i will always carry in my heart.
JC
One of the best gifts I ever gave was when I was a kid. My Mother had commented that coffee tasted better out of real china instead of mugs. I secretly worked real hard and saved my money all summer. Came Christmas time I went straight to the China Department and picked out the prettiest piece of Bone China I could find. Very delicate with pink roses. Gave it to my Mom and everyday after she drank her coffee out of that pretty cup. The only piece of real China in the house. I think my Mom really liked that one!!!!
Vic
When I was about 8, I decided I wanted a Mickey Mouse watch. I didn't think I would get one, but I even went so far as to write a letter to Santa for one. I wanted it so bad. Well, the big morning arrived. We opened our presents as my parents and grandparents looked on. As my hopes dwindled I spied a little retangular box. (We now all recognize these as Timex boxes) I opened it and sure enough it was a watch. Not a Mickey, and I was disappointed about that, but I had a watch! (donza) It was a Lucy from Charlie Brown. I put the watch on and I was happy as a clam. Somone noticed I had it on, but on my right wrist. They asked if I knew it was on wrong. Being the young smartas* I was, I said "No, this is the way I want to wear it." And I have worn a watch on my right ever since. Two years ago, I finally got a real Mickey watch for Christmas. I love it, but it not the same as the Lucy I recieved when I was 8.
Sharon
The other day I put up a link to my cousin's new baby Jackson James. His due date was around Christmas Day, but his mommy went into labor on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and he was born. He was 5 lbs 12 oz and is doing better everyday, but now for the rest of the story.
When Jackson was born, the cord was wrapped around his neck, twice. The doctors say that if he had gone full term, he probably wouldn't have made it! He is a little Christmas miracle.
Lott
I tried to think of a special Xmas memory & while I was climbing trees putting up lights, it dawned on me that I am living & creating one this year. Having the opportuniy & pleasure to meet all of these wonderful people on the Holiday Board & over the Internet, both in this country & afar, will be a memory for years to come that will always hold a special place in my heart. How many people can say they have shared their Xmas so totally with people they have never even seen face to face? I think we all would agree that this memory we are making today will be one of our most fondly remembered in years to come. Let's hope we don't lose touch with each other & next year will still be chatting away on some board yet to be discovered, sending cards again next Xmas & meeting even more people. This is a special thing we are experiencing here & for some reason the Spirit of the Holidays has drawn us together. It is indeed a Magical Xmas we will never forget...
Donza'
ONLY IN FLORIDA!
Two holiday seasons ago, when my son, Sean, was 2 years old, my husband, Dan, took him shopping for a Christmas tree. The tree lot was in a parking lot, next to a canal. As they searched for just the right tree, a woman who was looking nearby told Dan that something was moving in one of the trees. Dan took a look and, sure enough, something WAS in there. He thought it might be a snake, so he called the attendant over. The attendant kicked at the tree and out popped a 3 foot ALLIGATOR, which lumbered off and slipped into the canal. The lady screamed and ran for her car, while the men laughed in amazement. Ever since, Sean thinks that Christmas trees are supposed to have alligators in them and asks repeatedly if there will be one in our tree this year!
Red
The Nightmare Before Skippy
Twas the night before Christmas,
when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring-
'cept Donza and her mouse,
The stockings were tossed in the closet without a care,
For fear her parents would soon be there,
The girls were nestled snug in their beds,
While Tex snoozed on the couch,
a pillow under his head!
Donza, thinking about her friend Pat,
Had just settled her clan so she could have a night owl chat,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
Her heart leaped as though it might shatter,
Away down the hall she flew like a flash,
She peeked out the window, and nearly threw up her Hamburger Helper Hash,
What to her blearing eyes should appear,
But a most foul looking thing, and it was drawing near!
With a sickening groan, Donza cried "Icky!"
For in a moment she knew it must be "Skippy!"
More rapid than eagles fly it's stench came,
And it shouted and called out her name,
To Marta it called, "To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall",
"Don't you dare run away at all!"
"Now Marta you be a good girl,"
"For I must give this Donza chick a quick whirl."
"As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
"My Christmas spirit sure is running high!"
Up to the door, Skippy did amble,
For Skippy was ready to gamble,
In a twinkling, Donza heard the door knob turn,
Also scratching and sniffing, and other noises that made her face burn,
She cowered in the corner, but now the knob was turning around,
In through the door Skippy came with a bound!
It was dressed in filthy rags form it head to it's lone shoe,
It's clothes were tarnished with dirt and covered with dog pooh,
A bundle of trash it had flung on it's back,
It looked like a whino opening his sack,
It's eyes, how they oozed! It's pimples, how scary,
It's cheeks were cover in mud, and it's nose was hairy!
It's drooling mouth was drawn up in a smirk,
And the hair on it's head, no shampoo would ever work!
A greenish plaque held tight to it's teeth,
And it's breath encircled it's head like a wreath,
It had a nasty face, and it was quite smelly,
Donza nearly fainted when it laughed, her knees had turned to jelly!
It was coming closer-Donza cried "Help!"
And she gagged in spite of herself,
A wink of it's eye, and a twist of it's head,
Soon gave Donza to know she really had something to dread!
It spoke not a word but went straight to it's work,
And showed Donza it was really a jerk,
Putting a finger inside it's nose,
It dug out a bogger, toward it's mouth, it's finger rose,
Suddenly it backed away, making the sign of the hex,
Because behind Donza, now stood her husband Tex!
Out the door it did run,
Away to Marta for more Christmas fun,
But Donza did hear it exclaim ere Marta waddled out of sight,
"I'll come back someday Donza, and we'll have a very good night!"
Sharon
