A Sister Among You

 

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