RRN Online Volume 342

December 21 '02

Volume 342

Christmas Cards Hallmark Again

I may not remember the Gifts of the Season birthdays of my granddaughters. I may not plan ahead in time to get my wife something for her birthday or our anniversary, but when it comes to buying Christmas Cards, I'm not one to wait until the last minute.

There's a Hallmark shop in Greenville, MS. It's one of the largest that I've visited, and I usually find the Christmas Cards I'm seeking there. Of course they never have more than four boxes of a given variety, and, as my mailing list has grown, I find myself having to choose which recipient gets which card. I dislike the chore because I feel as though I'm unintentionally slighting someone by not sending them my favorite of the Christmas Cards.

Normally, I buy Christmas Cards in September but wait until my Thanksgiving's week vacation to address and mail them. Yet, finding myself with a busier than normal September at work and as a possible candidate for downsizing in early October, it was mid-October before I even thought about Christmas Cards.

Hallmark and a host of other corporations, who supply product to consumers, have found it easier to make things smaller and hold the current price than continue to produce as is and raise the price of their product. All one need do is compare the weight of a pound of coffee in 1973 with a pound of coffee today. Yes, a pound is still a pound, but in '73 a can of coffee weighed 16 ounces, while today the standard is 13 ounces, unless you buy your coffee from Gevalia, where 8-ounce packs are par.

In the case of Hallmark, I have noticed a reduction in the size of their premium line of cards, and in my opinion, the cards are not as intricately designed as those of a few years ago. To their credit, Hallmark continues to employ writers who can convey a greeting far better than the average person can. Yet, because I grew up hearing the advertising slogan, Hallmark, when you care enough to send the very best, and because Hallmark was the only company of my youth to sponsor an hour program on TV and not interrupt with a commercial every ten minutes, I feel an obligation to support their company. If I am brainwashed, so be it.

The best cards must have been sold by the time I got to Greenville in late October, because I had trouble selecting a favorite from the mostly mediocre ones on the shelf. Having been previously informed by management that the clerks stock the shelves as soon as the new cards are received, I've learned not to ask if there are more cards in the backroom. Thus, if I find a card that I like and only four of the seven or so boxes I need are available, then I choose a second card and sometimes a third card, forcing me to select the favored "ones" to send the favored card.

It was my deliberate intention to include a personal note in each card again this year, but after spending two entire days of my vacation signing names, addressing envelopes, and composing notes for my wife to pen inside the cards, I decided to halt the inclusion of notes.

For me, a second important consideration is to get my Christmas Cards in the mail no later than Thanksgiving Day. In order to meet my self-imposed deadline, I dedicated a third day to the project and still had to complete my work on Thanksgiving Day. If you are reading this and id not receive a Christmas Card with a personal note, all I can add is that I'll try harder next year.

Christmases in Pontotoc By Janette Howell Robinson

I can never think of Christmases at home in Pontotoc without thinking of my oldest brother, Dexter. I don't think I am alone with these thoughts of the Christmases of my childhood, as I am sure my nine other siblings have some of the same memories. Our celebrations of that very special day were filled with long anticipation of wonderful gifts, goodies and a lot of laughter. Dexter always led the way in expressing his joy, which spread like magic through the whole family.

Dexter was born in December, l939, the first child of Mom and Dad, who, as the result of forceps used in his birth, was a cerebral palsy victim. He never walked but spent his life in a wheel chair or in the bed. He only went to school for one year of his life and to do so had to be sent hundreds of miles away and could only come home on special occasions. Dexter didn't do well at this school probably for many reasons, but I believe the main cause was that he had to be away from his family. Nothing made him happier than when we were all home interacting with one another. Dexter's laughter rang out louder than anyone's.

Christmas morning usually began around 7:00 a.m. with everyone except Mom and Dad gathering around our oldest brother to follow him into the living room where Santa had come and deposited the gifts. Our trek always began with a loud cry of joy from deep within Dexter. I would say it came from his lungs, but nothing about Dexter was ever that shallow. It came from deep within his heart.

When Dexter let go of his joy on that day every year it was a shout of celebration of so many things. It was a celebration of being with his family, whom he so dearly loved; of seeing the joy on everyone's face; for everyone was always happy with each gift no matter how few they were. There was anticipation of great food and fellowship and playing. All of these things were present so very strongly on our Christmas Days, because all of these things were practiced all throughout the year.

My brother's excitement on this day had so much more to do with what he felt within rather than what is visible with the eye. You see, Dexter had a deep relationship with the Savior whose birthday we celebrated on that day. Maybe his complete joy over the birth of Jesus on that day was made clearer in his heart as that was also Dexter's birthday. No one enjoyed his own birthday more than Dexter did for he got to share it with Jesus!

It always seemed to me that Christmas would never come. The days seemed to inch by and yet now I am looking back as a wife of 33 years, mother of seven, grandmother of five and so many Christmases have come and gone, but I think that Dexter taught me the most about enjoying every moment we have been given; most especially, Christmas.

Janette and her husband Val Robinson now live in Dallas, TX.

Christmas Adjustment By Lynette Carlson

I think one of my most memorable Christmases will be the one that I will be having this year.

Over the past 49 years of my life I have always had Christmas with my family. However, through those years my family has grown so much that we can no longer all fit in one place at the same time. Because of this my four other siblings celebrate Christmas with their own families.

Since I am single and have no children of my own everyone feels the need to invite me to their home for Christmas. I have always reciprocated with every invitation and always enjoyed myself. I am the type of person who cannot come to a home without bringing food and gifts for everyone. I always help in getting things set up before hand and cleaned up after the celebration. Unfortunately now, I have begun to notice the physical and mental toll that trying to keep up such a schedule has taken on me.

Last year I began to lose tract of what the season is about. I had totally exhausted myself to the point, that I was thrilled when the Holidays were over. I knew I needed to make a decision to change my usual routine for this year. So I did! I wanted to put CHRIST back into my celebration.

This year I told my family that as much as I appreciate all of their invitations, this year I will not be available to attend anyone's Christmas. I explained my reasons and they all agreed that I needed to do what ever made me most comfortable. A few of my sisters said they envied my decision but it would be years before they could ever have that opportunity to change the way they celebrate right now.

I cannot express the relief I feel of not getting caught up in the Holiday chaos that I created for myself. I am looking so forward to going to Church Christmas Eve and being reminded that we are to be celebrating the birth of our savior, Jesus.

To that end I want to wish everyone a very blessed Christmas. - Nettie Kay

Lynette Carlson works for Supervalu and lives in Minneapolis, MN.

Christmas Love By Candy Chand

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W". Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.

In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

"CHRISTWAS LOVE"

And, I believe, He still is.

Contributed by Bing Crausby

Bing and Ginger Crausby reside in Pontotoc, MS.

Bodock Beau Letters From Santa

Have you ever wondered how stressed Santa must get about this time every year? If he gets too stressed, the result might be disastrous. Consider how a stressed-out Santa might respond to his email (adult content modified).

Dear Santa,

I wud like a kool toy space ranjur for Xmas. Iv ben a good boy all yer. Yer Frend, BiLLy

Dear Billy,

Nice spelling. You're on your way to being a career lawn care specialist. How 'bout I send you a book so you can learn to read and write? I'm giving your older brother the space ranger, at least HE can spell! Santa

Dear Santa,

I have been a good girl all year, and the only thing I ask for is peace and joy in the world for everybody! Love, Sarah

Dear Sarah,

Your parents smoked pot when they had you, didn't they? Santa

Dear Santa,

I've written you for three years now asking for a fire truck. Please, I really, really want a fire truck this year. Love, Joey

Dear Joey,

Let me make it up to you. While you sleep, I'm gonna torch your house. You'll have more fire trucks than you'll know what to do with. Santa

Dear Santa,

I don't know if you can do this, but for Christmas I'd like for my mommy and daddy to get back together. Please see what you can do. Love, Teddy

Dear Teddy,

What, and ruin that affair your dad's still having with the baby-sitter? Boy, she's a hottie. Let me get you some LEGOs instead. Santa

Dear Santa,

I want a new bike, PlayStation, a train, some G.I. Joes, a dog, a drum kit, pony, and a tuba. Love, Francis

Dear Francis,

Who names their kid 'Francis' nowadays? What a dopey name. Santa

Dear Santa,

I left milk and cookies for you under the tree, and I left carrots for your reindeer outside the backdoor. Love, Susan

Dear Susan,

Milk gives me the runs and carrots give the reindeer gas. You want to be a kiss-up? Leave me a glass of Chivas Regal. Santa

Dear Santa,

Do you see us when we're sleeping; do you really know when we're awake, like in the song? Love, Jessica

Dear Jessica,

You are that gullible? Good luck in whatever you do. I'm skipping your house... Santa

Dear Santa,

I really want a puppy this year. Please please please PLEASE, Timmy

Dear Timmy,

That whiney begging mess may work with your folks, but it don't cut it up here. You're getting a sweater again. Santa

Dearest Santa,

We don't have a chimney in our house, how do you get in to our home? Love, Marky

Dear Mark,

First, stop calling yourself 'Marky.' That's why you're getting your butt whipped at school. Secondly, you don't live in a house; that's a low-rent apartment complex you're living in. Thirdly, I get inside your pad just like all the burglars do, through your bedroom window. Sweet dreams! Santa

Ways To Confuse Santa

Instead of milk and cookies, leave him a salad, and a note explaining that you think he could stand to lose a few pounds.
Leave him a note, explaining that you've gone away for the holidays. Ask if he would mind watering your plants.
While he's in the house, find the sleigh and sit in it. As soon as he comes back and sees you, tell him that he shouldn't have missed that last payment, and take off.
Take everything out of your house as if it's just been robbed. When Santa arrives, show up dressed like a policeman and say, "Well, well. They always return to the scene of the crime."
Leave lots of hunting trophies and guns out where Santa's sure to see them. Go outside, yell, "Ooh! Look! A deer! And he's got a red nose!" and fire a gun.
Instead of ornaments, decorate your tree with Easter eggs. Dress up like the Easter Bunny. Wait for Santa to come and then say, "This neighborhood ain't big enough for the both of us!"

Merry Christmas Everyone…Beau

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