By this time you have celebrated Christmas and hopefully have been left with many good memories. With recent happenings in our communities, there were many who have suffered the loss of family/friends to death during this time. Remember them and support them in their time of sorrow.
While we were enjoying a good meal, there were those who were not. Some wait in the back of a restaurant for the scraps that you, as a customer, didn’t want. When you went home to a nice heated place, they went to their usual place that was maybe under a bridge or a deserted place or just whatever they could find for the night. Their clothes were not new—probably what you didn’t want anymore or never even tried on. They were happy to wrap up in a blanket that someone didn’t want anymore. Did they have any good memories of Christmas? There were some that remembered the reason for Christmas. Maybe they had memories of the years that were good for them. Yes, some are homeless because of no job or one of several personal reasons. There are those who are homeless because they choose this way of life. It is not for us to judge the homeless—count your blessings.
Because of Christmas and New Years, I have to have my articles in and ready to go to print by Friday before (2) holidays. This doesn’t leave much time for anything I really want to do to get ready for these two holidays. I used to make fun of people who were getting ready for Christmas right after Halloween. I think next year, I will be one of these so when it is time to celebrate Christmas, I won’t have all these last minute things to attend to.
I was at the MMCRU School Board Meeting in Remsen on Monday night. It was time to seat the three new board members—Justin Tentinger for R-U and Dan Erickson and Kristie Letsche for MMC. Sara Krier (R-U), Karla Prunty, and Danae Dreckman (MMC) were the three that left the Boards after many years of service. It hasn’t been easy to get these two schools together but it has happened with the help of all the board members that have served during these difficult times with the students benefiting from their service.
Remember in your thoughts and prayers those who have lost family/friends to death, have had their lives changed, have health problems some of which are terminal, are trying to make a living even though they have a job; help those who desire “wants” are more important than “needs” that prestige isn’t everything and be with those who are still struggling to shorten the distance between family/friends to build a bridge instead of a wall. Make amends before it might be too late.
During the holidays you have probably been with an older person that the younger generation might “wonder about”. I found an article that might explain the senior’s actions.
Beatitudes For Friends of the Aged (By Esther Mary Walker)
Blessed are they who understand
My faltering step and palsied hand.
Blessed are they who know that my ears today
Must stain to catch the things they say.
Blessed are they who seem to know
That my eyes are dim and my wits are slow.
Blessed are they who looked away
When coffee spilled at table today.
Blessed are they with a cheery smile
Who stop to chat for a little while.
Blessed are they who never say,
“You’ve told that story twice today.”
Blessed are they who know the ways
To bring back memories of yesterdays.
Blessed are they who make it known
That I’m loved, respected and not alone.
Blessed are they who know I’m at a loss
To find the strength to carry the Cross.
Blessed are they who ease the days
On my journey Home in loving ways.