"Jesus and Formulas...they never seem to mix." Thoughts on Saint John 8: 1-11

  "Where are your accusers, Jesus asked. "There are none Lord," the woman answered. "Nor  do I not condemn you. Instead, the time has come for you to be free from the life you are in."  [paraphrased from John 8:11]

  As the New Year approaches, I think about what changes I can make from last year. One thing I have experienced in life, formulas very rarely work for me. They are simply not effective. You know, if I wake up, follow a healthy routine, and keep track on what is next on the daily agenda, the results will be awesome!
  The problem I run into with situations like this is the formula wears out and I eventually drift back to where I started. so, I asked myself, "What's missing?" One thing I notice is the meaning of it all. I believe in the "loving yourself philosophy," but I notice I get more excited when I am able to influence and help others...particularly those down on their luck.

  In Saint John, Jesus had been in a discussion with the Pharisees on His purpose in life. The Jewish religious leaders at the Temple in Jerusalem didn't buy into His song and dance that He truly is the son of God.
  In the discussion, the topic was Jesus could not be a prophet because He came from Galilee. The Scriptures were clear. There was absolutely no evidence a prophet of God ever came from that region. [Note: Ancient Greek manuscripts do not include this story.  It appears the story was passed down through oral tradition. Still, John includes this story in his gospel as was later discovered.] The Scriptures state the discussion ended with no apparent conclusion on the matter. The passage continues with Jesus going to the Mount of Olives that evening, a place He regularly retreated to be alone in prayer.
  Early the next morning, Jesus was up around dawn and returned to the Temple. Crowds began to gather to hear Him and learn more about His teachings. The religious leaders thought teaching the common person was a waste of time because of their ignorance of the Scripture.
  Suddenly, the Pharisees and Scribes brought a woman before Jesus who had been caught in adultery. [Note: How they discovered this is not made evident in this story.] They made this woman stand alone in the center of this court so everyone could see her. 
  "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery. The Law of Moses dictates she must be stoned to death! So, tell us, what is Your verdict?" [Note: the man in this accusation is missing. Again, the Scriptures are silent.]  The motive behind this question was to trap Jesus. The religious leaders were looking for anything they could use against Him and prove His teachings contradict the Law of Moses.
  Now, here is where it gets a little interesting.

  Instead of answering the question, He simply stooped down and began writing in the loose dirt. Meanwhile, the Pharisees badgered Him to get an answer on this woman caught in adultery. Nevertheless, Jesus remained silent until He finished writing in the dirt. Then, He stood up and said, " Okay, if any of you have never sinned, then step up and throw a stone at this woman." Then, Jesus stooped down once more and continued writing.
  The Pharisees heard His answer and one by one stepped up to read what He had been writing in the dirt. In a short time, every Pharisee from the oldest to the youngest left the court area.  [Note: The Scriptures are silent as to what Jesus wrote in the dirt.]
  Jesus stood up with only Him and the accused still standing in the court. Jesus then addressed the woman, "Where did everyone go? Did anyone condemn you?"
  "No, my Lord," the woman answered.
  "I will not condemn you either. Instead, this is the time for you to be free from the life you are in."
  Again, the Scriptures are silent as to the decision the woman made...

  So, my first New Year's Resolution? BE UNDERSTANDING OF OTHERS: I WILL BE MORE EMPATHETIC IN 2019.


  
   
  

Empathy and Loving Yourself....a take from Matthew 22:39

                             Empathy and Loving Yourself...a take from Matthew 22:39

  The English Living Dictionary describes empathy as "the ability to understand and share the feelings of another."
  Jesus said in Matthew 22:39, from The Message version, "We are to love the Lord with all our passion, our hearts, and our intelligence. The second commandment is to love others as well as you love yourself. All the other commands depend on...these two."
  In an online article from Psych Central, Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., breaks down some "empathetic boundaries" during this holiday season of giving. Being made aware of so many needs throughout the world, visiting friends and family, and the cries of various charities needing assistance, can be overwhelming and sometimes lead to decisions based on guilt, shame, or pressures from others. Here are a few things to consider as this Christmas season continues:

1. Set Empathetic Boundaries: Allow yourself space and intervals of solitude to "clear your head." Discuss plans with people who refresh and recharge you. Be aware of those who drain you. Sometimes you have to go by your "gut feelings" and recognize when you feel your best and when you feel the worst. One idea for a check-in is keeping a simple journal to remind yourself of goals and plans for this season.

2. Pause Before Saying "Yes:"  It has become an involuntary response to say, "Yes, of course!." to any request that comes our way during this season. One suggestion is to take a pause before blurting out a commitment. Try phrases like "Let me check my schedule," or "May I get back with you...say tomorrow?" We need time to respect our personal efforts and energies before emotionally accepting a request. Perhaps a good question to ask yourself is: "If I don't want to do this, does that "inner voice" within respond, "That's okay." Emotions are not our best governors when making decisions.

3. Shifting Your Perspective: When you surmise it is best to decline a request or choosing a present that is beyond your budget, you can still answer in an empathetic manner; a) "I understand your needs, but at the moment I am struggling with issues myself. Perhaps I can be more of a help at a different time." b) "I would like to hear more about this, but right now I am a little overwhelmed." c) "I understand but if I take anything else on at the moment, I would have to compromise some concerns already on my plate."

4. Use Another's Reaction as a Valuable Sign: Understanding reactions can be vital to our decision making. Do others react by "pushing against you," not take "no" for an answer, or use guilt and shame to influence your emotions. Do they respect your boundaries? A fact of life I have found is people do not always reciprocate with the same fervor I feel for them. And that in itself is okay. Just remember to invest yourself in relationships where boundaries and needs are respected, not where they are not.

One final note: Don't wait to set boundaries when you are overwhelmed and exhausted. Set boundaries that include yourself...now! Have a wonderful holiday season!

Talkin' about killin' off characters...The Viking Series

           
                            No Guarantees being a Character on the Viking Series

    Real history takes no prisoners. It seems Michael Hirst, creator of The Viking Series on the History Channel, understands that. If the count is right, 87 characters have been killed off, regardless of the "character pecking order."
    I was surprised when Siggi drowned and King Ragnar killed Yidu. I was heartbroken when Floki killed Athelstan. I hated to see Queen Lagertha kill Queen Aslaug, Floki's wife Helga dying, and King Egbert of Wessex go. Of course, King Ragnar's death was a real moment, while recently Astrid and Halfdan were killed off.
    I appreciate Michael Hirst's persistence to keep close to recorded history we have on the Vikings realizing it is still a historical fiction series.
    Michael Hirst said on September 12, 2017; " It has been my pleasure and my privilege to work with History and MGM over five seasons and 69 episodes of Vikings. Now we are ready to begin production of a 20 episode season 6 that will deliver a huge and unexpected revelation to our audience."
    Historical fiction is a tough act. It is particularly hard with limited sources of historical data. Much of Viking lore was passed down orally or in written sagas. A few examples include:
1. Athelstan   He is not mentioned in Anglo/Saxon accounts nor in Nordic sagas.
2. Queen Aslaug   She is mentioned in  13th century Icelandic saga in the story of Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons.
3. The Seer   His character is not based on a specific person but inspired by ancient pagan sorcerers.
4. Bjorn Ironside   History indicates he may have actually been the 2nd son of Queen Aslaug. His older brother may have been Ivar the Boneless. He was a legendary King of Sweden who lived in the 800's. He was known for his raiding skills on both England and France.
5. Queen Lagertha   She is recorded to have been born around 795 A.D. and died sometime in the mid 800's. Not much detail but was said to be member of King Siward's court of Norway. I won't forget the episode in the TV series when Ragnar had to kill a bear and a hound to win her affection.
6. Rollo   He was the first Duke of Normandy and did marry Princess Gilsa of France. He had a son named William Longsword. No, he was never a brother to Ragnar.
7. Ivar the Boneless   He appears to be a pretty mean guy who was equally manipulative. He might have been the wisest of all Ragnar's sons.
8. Floki    No character like this seems to exist in Norse legends, but his personality is influenced by the Norse god Loki. Did he create the Viking longboat? Who knows.
9. King Ragnar A legendary Viking king, ruler, and raider. He is described in several Norse sagas and attacked the coasts of England and France to raid and plunder. Still, the evidence of Ragnar is vague.

Other questions arise like did the Vikings have shield maidens? Were they really farmers?  Were they here on the North American continent before anyone else from Europe? Did they come in longboats?
  The Viking series is the best! Skol!

References:

acsu.buffalo.edu/NorseCharacters.org

mythologian.net

Some Things in Life come with Pain: "A Christmas Story"

                                             
                                A Christmas Story: Pain is Sometimes Included


  "How do you know?," he asked, not sure he wanted an answer. He had been careful to make her life as comfortable as possible. Living on a meager salary while medical bills continued to pile up, the small, drafty apartment in Chicago offered little comfort to the pain Robert felt.
  As garland, Christmas trees, and Santa themes faded in the first few weeks of 1939, Mr. Robert May was forced to turn his thoughts on the next Christmas because his job description demanded so. Meanwhile, his parents came to live with him because Robert's ailing wife, Evelyn, requiring 24 hour assistance. His parents faced near poverty themselves resulting from the Great Depression, and with the rumors of another world war about to erupt, only added to Robert's difficulties.
  Employed by a large retailer, Montgomery Ward, Robert worked as a copyright at the headquarters in Chicago, overseeing designed ads for the mail order catalog. He loved to write and had earned a journalism degree from Dartmouth College, graduating with Phi Kappa honors in 1926. Still, at age thirty-seven years of age, he had not envisioned himself creating ads for men's shirts, women's dress, or children's clothing as part of his writing career. But, in early January of 1939, Robert received a new assignment.
  Montgomery Ward traditionally purchased and distributed free coloring books to children as part of their holiday promotion. This year however, the decision was made to produce Christmas coloring books in-house and lessen the costs of holiday expense
  One morning before leaving for work, Robert heard his four year old daughter, Barbara, say to his wife, "Mommy, why are you so different? I pray for you. I don't want you to die." Two years prior, his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Now bedridden, she lifted her frail, left arm and gently touched the side of Barbara's innocent face. Robert sat next to the bed in a long back, fabric torn chair, squinting his eyes trying to hold back tears. "Perhaps you might have time to take Barbara to the zoo on Saturday, Robert," Evelyn, spoke in a soft, yet weak voice. Barbara loved to visit the Lincoln Park Zoo.
  Robert had been called to the supervisor's office only a few days before to receive his new assignment. He was to create a children's coloring book that would be uplifting and cheery for the holidays. The supervisor advised Robert to include an animal as the main character, with various scenic outlines of children awaiting Santa's arrival interacting with their "new friend."
  As Robert walked with his daughter, Barbara, at the zoo on Saturday, they viewed the sea lions, the Kovler Lion House, "Bushman," the popular lowland gorilla, and reindeer.  His mind contemplated ideas about the type of animal for the coloring book.
  He remembered his supervisor mentioning the animal be meek and mild. He drifted back to his own childhood, facing rejection and bullying from his friends. He was small, not physically strong, and not good in sports. Robert experienced a hard time fitting in with others. Could he create an animal that faced...rejection?
  Evelyn had been the love of Robert's life dating back to their days at Dartmouth in the early 1920's. He would be lost without her. And Barbara...how could she grow up without a mother? Yet, in July of 1939, Evelyn lost her battle with cancer.
  A few days after her death, Robert's supervisor offered to take him off the assignment and give him time to adjust to the heart rendering loss. However, Robert refused. By late August he completed his assignment.
  The coloring book included a poem. Robert cleverly weaved the words of the poem throughout the book, yet before he submitted his finished product, he read the poem to his little girl, Barbara, to gather her thoughts and feelings on what he had written.
  He read;

"Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer,
  Had a very shiny nose.
  And if you ever saw him,
  You would even say it glows.

  "All of the other reindeer,
  Used to laugh and call him names.
  They never let poor Rudolph
  Join in any reindeer games.

  Then one foggy Christmas Eve,
  Santa came to say,
  'Rudolph, with your nose so bright,
  Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?'
 
  Then all the reindeer loved him,
  As they shouted out in glee,
  Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,
  You'll go down in history."

  Montgomery Wars gave our over 2.4 million coloring during the holiday season of 1939. As World War ll began, paper was rationed and the company produced no Christmas books through 1945. Late in that year, Sewell Avery, the CEO of Montgomery Ward, called Robert to his office and gave him the rights to "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," free and clear! A company decision had been made stating the coloring book and poem had run its course. They decided to going in a different direction for 1947.
  Robert thought he would publish the poem, yet soon discovered most publishers were not interested. The reasoning was millions of free copies were already in households and the market was saturated. Finally, Maxton Publishers agreed to print an updated version of the "Rudolph" poem.
  In 1948, the idea of producing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in song might encourage sales. Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore were contacted, yet both politely declined. In the later part of the year, Gene Autry was approached. After singing the song in his studio a few times, he decided he would also decline. But, he faced resistance.
  His wife heard him playing the tune and loved the melody. Gene Autry changed his mind and accepted the offer. The recording was placed on side "B" of  a 45 record.
  "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" sold over 15 million records in the next few years and became the 2nd most popular song at Christmas. Only Being Crosby's "White Christmas," sold more.
  Although the success of "Rudolph" paid off Robert's medical bills and gave him a comfortable living for 5 years, he never became extremely wealthy.
  In 1951, Robert Mays returned to Montgomery Ward as a copyright and worked there until his retirement in 1971. he passed away in 1976, content with what "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," had provided.


Sources:

History Channel: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Christopher Klein 12/19/2014

InterfaithFamily.com 12/20/2011
 





  

The Vikings on the History Channel has returned! Season 6! Skol!

                                       
                   The Vikings on the History Channel has Returned!  Season 6!  Skol!


  The "Saga of Bjorn," helped us to recapture the continuing story of Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons.
  Torvi is a shield maiden and second in command. She is the ex-wife of Jarl Borg. She had a son with him named Guthrum. Torvi then marries Eriendur, the eldest son of King Horik. After given orders to kill Bjorn with an arrow, she turns on Eriender and kills him. Eriender had treated Torvi cruelly, including numerous beatings. Torvi then marries Bjorn, and gives him three sons, Erik, Refil, and Hali.
  Season six opens with Torvi sharing with Hali the stories of Ragnar and his sons, with emphasis on her husband, Bjorn.
 One highlight is a quote from Torvi, [who happens to be the real daughter of the creator of the Viking series, Michael Hirst]  " The gods are not always meant to be understood."

  Now we prepare ourselves for the completion of season five, beginning with "The Revelation."
I immediately felt a deep mistrust between King Harold Finehair and Ivar the Boneless. After King Harold said to Ivar "he had lost it all," Ivar the Boneless replies, "Life goes on, don't dwell too much on that."
  Floki offers himself as a sacrifice when his dream of "living with the gods" had been lost, is given some purpose when the words are said, "I am sorry Floki, but I must refuse your offer..."

   Rollo meeting wirh Ivar the Boneless and King Harold Finehair had a classic moment. King Harold asks Rollo, "Why are you here now in person.?"  Rollo replies, " Because I missed the old place."
  Still, I struggled with Rollo having the freedom to meet with Ivar and later Lagertha. I had a hard time imagining Rollo's ability to go to and fro at Kattegat. it would seem he wouldn't be given that luxury in real life.
  The Kingdom of Kattegat  was a key port to the Baltic Sea. it actually covers a 12,000 square mile area bound by the Jutlandu Pennisula (west,) the Danish Straits (south,) and 4 provinces of Sweden (east.)

  I was sad to see Astrid amd Halfdan the Black killed. I admire Michael Hirst killing characters off to stay true to historical reference.
  I am excited to watch this series continue!
                                                                                                                            

Finding a Purpose: Ecclesiastes 12: 12-14

    

Sometimes, do you ever read of some one's death and wonder, "Why am I still here?" Yea, a little morbid maybe, yet it strikes the thoughts of many from time to time.
    I happen to be a major league baseball fan and am saddened when I read of a former player passing away, especially if I had watched him play. As as we grow older, it seems obituaries have a more profound impact in our daily reading.
   We have access to daily affirmations, bible verses of the day, instagrams, and one line quotes that encourage us to go on and find happiness. Yet, loneliness, past failures, fatigue, and feelings of emptiness seem to linger, waiting for that opportune moment to minimize our purpose.
   In the book of Ecclesiastes,  a passage offers an interesting outlook on life. Many attribute Solomon as the author and his experiences describe how he does not understand God at times, or is not sure if he even knows Him. Solomon seems lost when attempting to grasp the personality of God including His views and rationale on life.
 Throughout history we have faced various explanations as to some of those hard questions about life like, Why does God allow wars to happen? Why does God allow people to suffer?
 As a result, we continue to search. Throughout the corridors of time, questions still linger...not having found any satisfactory answers. 
   In Ecclesiastes, "the teacher" records how  human beings often think about life. In the early chapters it brings to light how many of us really feel. There really is no purpose to what we do, that life is nothing more than human nature in a constant repetitive state, and the result of all our pursuits is nothing more than an endless mundane cycle that simply plays the same tune over and over, one century to the next. It is like running outside with a net and try to catch the wind.
 Yet, as "the teacher" clearly defines life's struggles and personal observations through various scenarios, there seems to be one common thought emerge out of all the wreckage. It is like trying describing a person to someone else when you never met the very person you are trying to describe. You have not read any of their memoirs or grasped their thoughts. You simply don't know.


                                               A Gleaning from Ecclesiastes 12: 12-14

  I must warn you, there is simply no end of opinions to explanations about life. There is no end to the publishing of books, articles, or people's various views on anyone or anything. 
 Yet, with that being said, here are my final thoughts on this entire subject of "Life" and why things happen:
 " Learn the value of fearing the Lord. Learn how to respect Him. Embrace His thoughts and listen carefully to each one of His Mighty Commands. This will lead you to depths of life and  it's mysteries.
 The whole objective of God being God is that we might get to know Him and understand the very root of His character. It allows us to discover the root of our own purpose and the things we so desperately seek. As we become acquainted with Him, He will make the adjustments to our lives as needed, including all the inharmonious circumstances and conditions we face. This includes those deep, hidden emotions filled with anger and pain.
 God brings every thought and motive that lies within us to Himself and guides us gently to a fresh purpose in our lives. Life can become meaningful again and give us a desire to care. 

[ Note: I define a "Gleaning" as my impressions on a specific passage of Scripture.]
  

Children of Anxiety

  Amy Morin is a psychotherapist and LCSW (Licensed, Clinical, Social Worker,) who publishes articles in Psychology Today. She is the author of "13 Things Mentally, Strong People Don't Do."
  In an article titled "Children of Anxiety," dated 11/03/17, she addresses 10 reasons children today face a seemingly lack of emotional strength and experience dealing with everyday life.
  I became aware of this "epidemic" through association with young couples who have experienced deep frustrations raising children. A number of teacher friends have also expressed similar frustrations. Here are some reflections:

1. Electronics. Social media and gaming can develop into an unhealthy escape when perimeters are not set. The reason is a child simply avoids any discomfort or development of mental strength, and slips away into a fantasy world.
2. Happiness is the Rage. "Fixing" another person's unhappiness is an age old problem. In today's culture, emphasis is put on parents and teachers to create an environment that is always a "happy one." As a result, children are taught if they do not feel happy 24/7, something is wrong. They are not given opportunities to deal with feelings of sadness, guilt, and disappointments, feelings that are also part of our emotional makeup.
3. Parents give Unrealistic Praise. Chanting phrases like "You're the best!," or "We are all winners!," doesn't guarantee a higher self-esteem. Ironically, it can put pressure on children to live up to that label(s) which can lead to a crippling fear of failure, rejection, and depression.
4. Parents become "Personal Assistants" to their young Teenager."  Parents will go to the extreme for their child to attain success and not hear the deeper cries for help. These cries may include fear of failure, not understanding any purpose for discomfort, or a fear of rejection. Teachers often face pressures which demand a child graduate, regardless how low the "bar must be set." Some teachers have expressed the use of "dumbing it down" if necessary.
5. Undeveloped Emotional Skills/Experience when They Leave Home. A national survey given to 1502 first year college students resulted in 60% of students lack of confidence in their emotional skills. Lack of these experienced skills include the fear of failure (parents not there to bail them out,) not understanding discomfort, and a lack of problem solving skills. Also, the lack of having ability to manage time only added to their stress levels.
6.  Parents see themselves as Protectors rather than Guides.  Parents think their role in child rearing is to help them grow up with as few emotional scars as possible. This thought has bled over to school systems as well. Children are "protected" and not given opportunity to deal with problems on their own before seeking advice.
7. Extreme Drive by Parents. Parents get so involved pushing so hard it causes children to be terrified of making any decisions on their own. Others don't push their children at all which results in opting out of anything that sounds "anxiety-provoking."
8. Parents are Motivated out of their own Guilt and Fear. This can result in children rejecting any "uncomfortable" options...rationalized as intolerable.
9. Unstructured Play. Children are not given opportunities to manage disagreements without always having a "referee."  Solitary time gives children time to gather their own thoughts and find a comfort within their own strengths/weaknesses of their emotional makeup.
10. Family Hierarchies out of Whack. Children desire parents and teachers to be leaders, even when there might be flaws in parental or teaching system. If a parent or teacher is aprenhensive in leading, anxiety in children skyrockets.

The Vikings on the History Channel...season six

 OMG, it is about to happen! The second half of season five is about to unfold on November 28th at nine p.m.
  Questions lurk in my mind. Will Queen Lagertha meet her death at the hands of Ivar the Boneless? After all, Kathryn Winnick (Queen Lagertha) signed a contract with Netflix. Besides, she murdered the mother of Ivar.
  And who is this Oleg of Novgorad, the one called Oled the Prophet?
  Creator Michael Hurst announced season six will "deliver a huge and unexpected revelation to our audience."
  And Rollo returns!
  I can hardly wait!

Christmas Eve and a Cigarette Load

 .                     Christmas Eve and a Cigarette Load

   It was Christmas 1966. Lyndon B. Johnson was our President. Although it had been a little over three years, the loss of JFK still lingered in our hearts.
   I was fascinated with science fiction as a new television series had been introduced called Star Trek.
 Mom was an avid book reader and was engaged in a new, non-fiction novel titled In Cold Blood, written Truman Capote. It sounded rather creepy, the plot centered on a family being murdered in Kansas. The author's name reminded me of a gangster.
                                                   
  Christmas Eve! We opened presents on Christmas Eve, usually around nine p.m. and by midnight the conversations, various holiday foods, and the exchange of gifts were complete.
  Relatives came to my Grandpa's home for the evening's festivities. My mom, brother, and me lived with my grandparents. Dad and mom had been separated for a few years but not divorced. My aunt told me my dad came from a bad family, given to too much drink, and was always out to start trouble.There was bad blood between my dad's family and mom's, going way back to the days of the Depression. In fact, I didn't understand how mom and dad ever got together, yet here we were. I was excited because he was welcome to come this year and had accepted.
  Dad drove in from Columbus and was very glad to see my little brother and me. He seemed to miss mom too.  I can still remember how he smiled and laughed throughout the evening and mom joined him in laughter. I always loved the scent of my Dad. He carried the faint scent of a bar with the various smells of liquor, perfumes, cigarettes, and most of all...the bar food. Bar food was simply the best! Pork tenderloin or meatloaf sandwiches, fries, and coleslaw or macaroni salads, comes to mind.
   That year I had come up with an idea for a Christmas Eve gift, yet, like many ideas I had during childhood, I failed to think ideas through.
  As Dad arrived, he brought a great gift for my brother and I. It was an official Lionel train set! State of the art! The train included a locomotive, a Pennsylvania caboose, boxcars, and even an auto-loader. We had little evergreen trees, benches, and a depot to decorate the landscape surrounding the layout. We cleared a large space on the hardwood floor in the family room to lay out the the tracks and admire all the parts that came with the train set. Dad sat on the floor and began patiently reading the directions out loud as he added one track to another.
  In those days everyone smoked cigarettes. It was encouraged by celebrities, endorsed by sports heroes, and accepted by many. Dad smoked Salem menthol, yet chose Kool menthol if Salem's were not available. I knew this because I had been sent to the local carry-out on my bicycle to pick up cigarettes for my dad and other relatives numerous times in the past. ID's were not required. Besides, the owners of the carry-out knew my family and where I lived.
  I remember once asking Father Gil after mass if smoking was wrong. I thought he would be the right guy to ask because he was a smoker himself. I will never forget his reply, "Well, the way I see it, we might as well smoke down here because I don't think we will be able to smoke up there." Yet, on this Christmas Eve in '66, smoking a cigarette was about to take on a different meaning.
  Late in the fall, around Halloween, I was introduced to a product on the market I had never seen. It was my friend's older brother who introduced this item to me and was a type of gag gift called a "cigarette load." The idea was to plant this small item (approx. one inch in length and one half inch in diameter), into the fresh tobacco of a cigarette. As the cigarette is lit and enjoyed, this cigarette load  within the burning tobacco, would cause the cigarette to explode and the residuals float into the air. Normally a kind of muffled "bang" would accompany the explosion. (Note: cigarette loads were banned from the market the following year.)

  On this Christmas Eve night, dad sat on the hardwood floor and finished putting our new train set together. I had put a load into his cigarette (without him knowing,) and shortly after, about the third puff, his cigarette exploded. It actually produced a much louder sound than I had anticipated and it was in that moment my gift to dad took a twist I didn't think about.
  Small pieces of tobacco leaves that reminded me of snow flakes floated harmlessly in the air gently landing on dad's shirt. The entire family room had become much like the Christmas poem describes, "not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."
   The Lionel train set dad had just finished setting up, was in numerous pieces and dispersed in various areas of the hardwood floor. Dad lifted himself from the wreckage, and looked around in utter amazement. Only a few minutes before he had been explaining to me some details about the train set. Now, that conversation seemed light years away. Grandpa offered dad a shot of Kessler's whiskey.

  Dad, along with his four brothers, fought in WWII. He spent over eight years in the military including re-enlisting for the Korean conflict. Yet, on this night, as dad explained later, received the biggest scare of his entire life.
  Mom was the first to speak. She looked at dad, making sure he was okay as she helped him stand up. She spoke loudly with a shrill in her voice, "What in the world happened? Was there some type of fuel in those little train cars? They shouldn't have that sort of thing in toy trains!" Dad assured everyone he was fine. He simply said "I didn't see that coming, it scared the shit out of me!" Dad turned to mom, "No hon, there was no fuel in the train cars."

 Then, all eyes turned toward me.

 Tears were already running down my cheeks and I just wanted to get up and run to my room. Dad saw I was the one scared now and wrapped his right arm around me. He said to me " Are you wanting me to have a heart attack? This is one hell of a Christmas present." I really started to sob and explained to Dad it was suppose to be a funny surprise. The whole room lightened up as I described the entire story. Grandpa said "Well thank God no one is hurt. It was an innocent thing that happened." Laughter began to fill the room. Dad still had his arm around me.

  

Guidance for the New Year...a sacred text from Proverbs 29:18

  There is an interesting verse of scripture I often hear quoted as the New Year approaches. It is from Proverbs 29:18 and is used to encourage one to gain a new outlook on life. The common way I hear it quoted is "Where there is no vision...the people perish."
  Like many that are looking for direction in life, I thought it might be a good thing to study to this verse. It wasn't long before I realized vision, goals, and direction in life come when I begin to implement His Commands into my everyday lifestyle. It is at this point I discover a vision or purpose to my life.
  There are numerous Bible scholars that break this verse down in great detail and offer various ideas to this verse. I like one quote I read recently: "Every one's life ends up somewhere, a few end up somewhere on purpose."
   Vision in the practical sense enables us to push through our problems we face. Vision keeps us continuing to change things in our lives that will bring us more in line with meaning to our everyday lives. Vision must be strong enough to endure hurts, setbacks, errors and success.
  Vision cannot be based on feelings alone. I remember  9/11 and the many that lost their very lives. People were moved in their hearts and committed to having a new vision on being an American and not taking for granted all that we are blessed with. Statistics showed that 50% of all Americans were deeply affected by this tragic event and their faith in God. Church attendance rose dramatically the first 6 weeks after 9/11, with some churches showing as high as a 50% increase. Yet by mid-November, church levels had returned to their previous normal levels. So, what does a vision in our lives demand from us?
 Vision involves finding a purpose. Allowing God's Word to take root in our lives is a process, not an overnight success.

Gleanings from Proverbs 29:18:

 "When a person goes without guidance,
    By neglecting, ignoring, and in the end rejecting God's Word,
    The problems still remain, people can be fickle.
    At first one might stumble, then you trip, then you fall.
    Things get in disarray, confusion gets louder, and you feel alone and lost.

   But, if you listen to the words of His Faithful Commands,
   And obey what His Word says,
   You will discover His Hand of blessing on your life, and joy will be yours
   In any situation you may face , and you will find what God has for each of us...
   A Vision...for the future!"

 

I am from...

                                                                I am from...

  Intro: This story was influenced by George Ella Lyon, the Kentucky poet-laureate for 2015-16. She views life's experiences like a spider's web, expanding in various directions yet everything is connected. Referring to writers as "word-weavers," one segment of her spider web is titled "Where I am from."


  I am from a cold and blustery winter's morn, sitting in our living room before dawn. I quickly pushed the insulated winter curtains open so we could see out the big, picture window. My brother and I sat on a floral sofa, under a cream-colored, fleece blanket in Lone Ranger pajamas, looking out under the streetlight, watching fresh snow come down heavily. We listened intently to the radio as school closings were about to be announced.
  I am from a Christmas Eve, sitting in the dining room gazing out a bay window, anxiously waiting for my father to arrive. Mom stood behind me with her hand on my shoulder, sharing my joy of his soon arrival. I wish mom hadn't always listened to my aunt. Just because she didn't like his family and never wanted mom to marry him, didn't mean everyone was supposed to feel the same way. We really missed him.
  I am from the taste of my first Christmas wine at the age of twelve, sitting snugly between grandpa and dad. Grandma wasn't too keen on me having Christmas wine at such an early age, so she poured my wine into a shot glass. I received my first official "shot of wine!" The taste was remarkable. "A rose wine," my grandpa whispered in my left ear after a toast had been made.
  I am from a time when a "Lionel" train set, jockey shorts, "G.I. Joe soldiers," and "Slinkies," were discovered under the Christmas tree. My brother and I would pass out presents to everyone before opening ours. Sometimes we "accidentally" tore Christmas wrap from presents with our name on them as we passed presents to everyone.
  I am from a time my grandpa and I would take the leftover Christmas wrap and empty boxes to the "burning barrel" on Christmas morning. We would sit by the four foot brick enclosure with a fifty-five gallon drum inside and sing Jingle Bells while watching the fire engulf the cardboard and wrap in flames. One time grandpa got a few of his presents mixed in with the empty boxes. He sang Jingle Bells rather gloomily that morning as we watched two flannel shirts and a pair of thermal socks go up in smoke and flames.
  I am from a time my dad arrived on Christmas Eve and brought a five gallon bucket of boiled shrimp. Before the presents were to be passed out, my brother and I sat on the floor next to the bucket of shrimp and devoured nearly all of its content. My dad just stared at us, his mind having a difficult time processing what his eyes saw. He simply could not believe we ate that much shrimp.
  I am from a time mom's voice was heard clearly in the stillness of a winter's night. It happened during the week between Christmas and New Year's. A huge rat had made it's way from the basement through a hole where the water pipes came up into her bathroom. Moses, our beloved basset hound, howled repeatedly, mom ran to her bed jumping up and down on her mattress screaming in terror, while grandpa grabbed a broomstick and beat the rat to death. My brother and I ran out of our bedrooms and stood at the doorway of mom's bedroom, totally in shock. We could not believe all the action going on at three o'clock in the morning. As she made breakfast for us that morning, my brother's only question was, "Why can mom jump on her mattress but we are not allowed to jump on ours?"
  I am from a time my aunt knit numerous items for us including mittens, scarves, and winter socks to keep our feet warm. I appreciated them so much! My aunt had a love for dachshunds including three of her own. One Christmas she made me a sweater of a knitted dachshund wrapped around the entire sweater. I remember the laughter from people ...when she demanded I wear the sweater. Less than week later, mom asked me if I would mind if she gave the sweater to a boy in the hospital (she worked there.) Mom said it would be our little secret. A few days later my aunt came by and wanted me to wear the sweater to another one of her events. We couldn't find it. Mom looked at me and winked. My aunt became very upset and accused me of getting rid of it. Mom told her I would never do such a thing. I realized mom hated the sweater as much as I did because of the embarrassment and laughter.
  I am from a time mom boiled eggs for my dad to enjoy when he arrived for the Christmas eve celebration. Dad loved boiled eggs! He could break the shell of the egg in the palm of his hands. The egg shell would practically fall of the egg. He tried to show my brother and me how to do it, but we never got the knack. I thought it might me funny to see how dad would do if I put a raw egg in the small bowl of boiled ones. As dad broke open the raw egg and the yellow yolk came oozing between his fingers, his eyes looked directly at me. After a minute or so, he couldn't contain his smile any longer and shared the laughter. "Good one! You do know payback is coming, right?" I hadn't thought of that.
  I am from a time I went to my aunt's church on Christmas eve (she had no children and I became the "lucky kid,") only to attend Christmas mass at midnight. Honestly, I enjoyed Christmas mass. It was a time when things in life came together and made sense for me. Everyone seemed to really care for others and appeared so quiet and humble as they honored His birth. The candle lights in the sanctuary, Christmas hymns, and decorations throughout made me feel...I guess secure is the best way to describe it. It was like everything was gonna' be alright. Still, I remember riding with dad on the way home. He barely got in the door and received a phone call. His brother had been shot in a battle somewhere in 'Nam.
  I am from a time grandma and grandpa sang together while washing, drying, and returning the dishes, glasses, and silverware to their rightful place. The plates went into a cabinet with glass doors. During Christmas break, my brother and I broke the glass on the right cabinet door. We picked, cleaned, and swept the shattered glass and hoped no one would notice the missing glass. Our plan was to act surprised as everyone else if  or when discovered. While drying the dishes, grandpa opened the cabinet doors and placed the clean dishes inside. At one point he started putting the dishes into the right side of the cabinet...without opening the door! Suddenly, he stopped. He moved his right arm in and out of the door without glass, and turned his head to the left looking directly at my brother and me. We sat at the kitchen table, stone-faced and quiet. He quickly rejoined grandma and continued singing. He never mentioned to anyone about the broken glass and replaced it the very next day. He did ask us later that evening what had happened, and told us not to "lolligag" in the house. If we want to play, we needed to go outside, play in the barn, or in the garage. His silence taught me about character that day.
  I am from a time I watched my dad leave late on Christmas eve, looking out the bay window in the dining room once again. I somberly watched the red tail lights fade into the night. Mom stood behind me once more, her hand on my shoulder. It was the quietness I remember most.
  I am from a dysfunctional family in the midst of real, emotional scenarios. As I look back, I do think we gave it what we had and did our best to make room for Christmas in the heart.
  I am from a time when people were really no different from today.