MERRY CHRISTMAS TO
ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
Of Gifts, Music
and Life
In thinking about gift giving for the
holidays, I go back to the first Christmas I spent any time with Bill, who is
now my husband. He was in a sad season of his life and I remember making him a
stocking stuffed with Bible verses and encouraging notes, as well as candy and
small trinkets. We were just casual friends and he was always so kind and
helpful to me and my daughter, Regina. He’d even offered to be our protector
during a previous hurricane; turns out I had to save him from a frog that
jumped into the doorway and behind the couch where he was sleeping! I think we
all were more terrified of the frog than the hurricane. I was so relieved that
I was actually able to throw the frog wrapped in a big blanket out the door
during the lull in the storm.
The next year was
our first Christmas together as newlyweds. We lived in a small house that
didn’t have heat or air conditioning, but it was a sweet and simple time of our
lives. It seemed, back then we all were happier with less. Despite the lack of
heat, warm memories were made.
Life went on.
Things got complicated. There were some years of ups and downs and then we
decided to move back to Daytona area, to be closer to family. I’m so glad we
did as within a few years Mama, then Poppa John passed away. I remember the
last Christmas we spent together. Mama was so happy she was able to give a
hundred-dollar-bill to all her kids. That was not a luxury she could not have
afforded before, but by then she had her very own money from her Social
Security check that she opted to get early. Looking back now I’m so glad she
did get it early as she died the next year at age 62. She nearly made it to 63.
She’d been so happy to have her “own” money that year and she wanted to share
it with the world. Of course, if you knew my Mama, you know she already shared
everything she had. That was nearly 23 years ago.
What gift gives
you joy to give? Maybe you can’t give out $100 bills but you can give $5 gift
cards to kids or the homeless for food at McDonalds. Maybe you love to give warm
socks or pajamas? You can write a poem or a letter of encouragement to someone.
Or perhaps you can give a senior citizen a ride to an appointment or take them
to see Christmas lights? You may want to create your own stocking of notes and
verses, as I did the first Christmas I spent with Bill.
These last two
years things have seemed hectic and normal seemed to go out the window. The new
normal might not look like what we’d hoped or dreamed for. Yet through it all
we have to realize that as a family or as a nation, we still have so much to be
grateful for. Listen to some beautiful music, watch a musical or a little child
dance around. Shine as best as you can, smile, it will make people wonder what
you are up to, and give like you’re my mama handing out $100 bills. Those are
the gifts you will remember. Donna Tinsley
2021
MUSIC
TAKE US AWAY
Are
you
Trying
to find the love in the season
Trying
to remember
Jesus
is the reason,
Looking
for some joy to rid yourself:
Of
loneliness, physical pain
Or
lack of emotional support?
Take
a moment to listen
Music
is all around you,
The
beauty of a violin,
The
pitter patter of tiny feet,
The
swell of the ocean,
The
quiet before the
The
music of the storm.
Life
has seemed like a storm perhaps this year,
A
storm that brought fear
Of
loneliness and pain.
This
year
Many
in our family
Have
experienced loss.
Oh,
the first night without a loved one,
As
well as the first Christmas,
Anniversaries,
birthdays,
Getting
through them alone
Oh
Jesus,
Why
are they gone?
There
are no words
I can
give to
Make
you feel better.
The
comfort of our Savior
I
offer instead.
To
those who grieve
May
you receive
The
peace that the season offers
A
daily refill from the Lord.
I
offer to pray for you each day,
Just
let me know
You
need me to.
And
I’ll pray the Lord
Will
give you a song
In
your heart,
One
to remember your loved one by,
Till
that grand reunion
In
the sky.
MUSIC,
TAKE US AWAY.
Donna
Tinsley 2021
