Christmas

Christmas is almost here for the US and Western Europe. I am aware that (except for Tom) for many of you, your Christmas is in January. Here in America, this holiday always brings us many memories of family and friends over the years; a time when we reminisce over the year and past years to remember the good and the bad and to be thankful for all we have. At Christmas, between December 24 and January 14th, we often reminisce. With all the ladies here, I know many of you will have a difficult Christmas for one reason or another. Some are alone, sometimes for many years, some are widows and remember better and happier days, some are single mothers with children and struggle to care for them, some valiantly take care of older parents or a relatives for some, this is the first year you have been without a parent, a child or a loved one whom you have loved and lost. For some of you, you may have all these things happening in your life at once. You are all my friends…including you, Tom…(Tom, I thought I had already accepted your Facebook friend request and that you were just ignoring me…my mistake…I am happy to be your friend, but no ranting about religion, OK?) I realize many of you, not all, have discouraging circumstances in your life, but want you to know you and are in my prayers. Maybe I will even take Tom’s advice (this one time) and pray that you receive a big pile of money to help. I also pray for blessings and joy for each of you and urge you to never give up hope. Some days you will only be able to take one more step; but please be resolute to take that next step, and the next, and the next and soon you will be walking again, maybe soon even happily running. Never give up. I say this to encourage any of my friends who need a smile and a hand on your shoulder during the holidays, but I am also interested in hearing your stories from Christmas, maybe from your childhood or family, how did you celebrate, any special gifts you remember, blessings or miracles, even difficult times you have overcome…maybe even difficult times you now experience and we put your concerns in our hearts and remember you in our thoughts and prayers. I am here as much as possible, thank you for being my friends and for all your kind thoughts and words since I have arrived on the site. You have my best wishes for a Happy New Year and Christmas, where ever you are. and many blessings.