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Time to get serious!

1. I need to lose the last 30 pounds to get to my goal weight.

2. I need to grow as an Independent Close To My Heart Consultant.

3. I need to start writing - prolifically

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Saturday, December 24, 2011

Once Upon a Christmas



Started writing December 5th, 2011...finishing it and editing today...

The treadmills are whirring. The clunk from barbells and dumbells being dropped to the floor can be heard from across the room. The floor is slightly shaking from the activity level of everyone who is working out. I have gotten to the gym early and am sitting down waiting for my class to start. The class, to lose weight, which was inspired by my father passing away due to heart disease. But first, I feel a pressing need to write. Something that has been weighing heavily on my heart all day. Memories of my father at Christmas time.

Today has been a gloomy day, cloudy and overcast, grayness pervading my thoughts. Christmas is going to be difficult this year, I am thinking. How does one deal with the recent passing away of a loved one that they held dear to their heart? How will my mom and sister make it through? So many memories of Dad once upon a Christmas... not so very long ago, but death makes time stand still. Dad would read the treasured gospel stories of the birth of Christ, the shepherds visitation, the wise men rejoicing when they saw the star and Mary pondering all these things in her heart - the Christmas story once upon a time.

 From the time I could remember to his last Christmas on earth, whoever was in the house on the night before Christmas day, would mute the lights in the living room, sip on their hot chocolate and with the glowing warmth of the Christmas tree lights Dads voice would gently read the words again to us... Once upon a Christmas...a holy hush...away in a manger...a silent night and peace on earth, goodwill to men. And then we would sing! Hark the Herald Angels Sing, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, O Little Town of Bethlehem, The First Noel and many more. And every year, a tear would slip down my cheek as I was reminded of what Christmas was all about. An infinite God becoming an infant. An infant growing up, dying on the cross and rising from the dead, so my ending could have a beginning. As Ann Voskamp writes, "If there is no cross in my Christmas, then my Christmas has lost Christ." Did Dad know the impact the Christmas story made upon my life...once upon a time?

And now this year? Who will read the treasured gospel stories of the birth of Christ? O Come All Ye Faithful... I can hear Dad singing it as we joined in on the melody and harmonies. Joyful and triumphant. God called a faithful man, husband, father and friend to many, home this year, and with joy he entered into eternal life. We miss him this year. Oh how we miss him! But with joyfulness we will remain triumphant. Tonight is Christmas Eve...David will read the Christmas story tonight... All my family, my three children and a son-in-law, will listen once again to... Once upon a Christmas, in the city of Bethelem, a baby was born... Christ the Lord, the Savior of man and His name shall be called Jesus...

Thank you Dad!

2 comments:

  1. I believe he heard the reading of the story. I believe he feels your love and sends his.
    Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It sounds like you had a very special Dad. I'm sorry for your loss.

    ReplyDelete