Christmas message
I am a huge fan of songwriters. About 15 years ago my wife received a box of records from her cousin. Included was a sleeve from an album by Billy Joe Shaver, one of my favorite songwriters. Imagine my disappointment when I realized there was no album inside. I could however, feel something.
I reached in and pulled out a record sleeve holding a small record about 8 inches in diameter. The outside had a Pepsi logo and on it was written "A message from your soldier." On the other side was an address to a Washington, D.C., post office box, and the return address was a military post in Long Island, N.Y. The address included the GI's service number. My wife and I knew we had to get this to the addressee before Christmas, and we only had about three weeks.
We contacted Richard Beard of this paper to see if he could help. In the meantime we took the record to our local radio station, KWYN, and they were able to clean up the sound and transfer the record to a CD. In the meantime Mr. Beard was able to contact Congressman Berry, who contacted the Pentagon. Believe it or not, we were able to find the current address of the addressee. Shortly before Christmas we mailed the CD in a CD player to the GI's widow. All she had to do was press play. She and her daughter had never heard the recording.
That year had been tough for my wife and me. I had been laid off. My health was failing. But God gave us a way to give that we never expected.
P.S. The husband was stationed at a missile battery on Long Island and his fiancée was working in Washington, D.C. The husband committed suicide in the 1960s, which is why I didn't mention their name. I am quite sure the widow is dead as we haven't received any Christmas cards in a few years.
Merry Christmas.
CHUCK JONES
Wynne
Sending a hug by mail
There is no other season like Christmas. The traditions of this holiday are really the anchor of our Western civilization. How can I even begin to discuss the food, music, lights, and decorations? The events of Christmas encompass almost every aspect of our lives. For a lot of us it is a time of love and unspeakable joy. Naturally life marches on during this season and many people experience personal hurts. Memories of hard times during this season surface. The loss of a loved one during this season is dreadful.
A time ago I started collecting used Christmas cards that had been previously mailed to family and friends. My family and friends would save these for me. I recycled the cards into various Christmas craft projects. Gradually I begin to realize that the old cards could be made into new cards! I bought several packages of blank white cards with envelopes at my local hobby store. Using the faces of the "old" cards, my Cricut, stickers, embellishments, glitter, rubber cement and other paper cutouts, I created creative and personal Christmas cards.
My goal was to create for the recipient a personal card designed to be a small breath of Jesus' love. After all, it is because of him that we celebrate. This year some of my friends gathered and created a batch of cards. It will be our annual event. It was
really a fun get-together. At a later date some of my family also gathered and we made Christmas cards.
Covid-19 changed me and others in many ways. Wearing masks and social distancing invited invisible walls. But ... for me I used this time to say, "Hey, I am still available for you." Creating the Christmas cards and sending them was the "hug" in the mail. This is what I love most about Christmas.
JANICE HOUSLEY
Mabelvale
A different holiday
We've all heard about examples of the comparison between the letter of the law to the spirit upon which the law is based. This year has been a challenge for all of us in countless ways. Here are just a few examples: We've not been able to gather in family reunions in numbers previously experienced; we've not been able to hug Grandma and Grandpa as we would want; we've not been able to attend our beloved houses of worship and fellowship with others we love. The list of things we've done previously where compassion and love were the forces that brought them all about seems endless.
As we end this difficult year, let's keep in mind that it's the spirit of all things good and great that keeps us connected. Yes, we may not be able to fellowship and share intimate time with our family and friends as we have in the past; however, we can still stay in touch. The methods of contacting the folks we love are plentiful: email, Zoom, FaceTime. Have you thought about writing a letter? Wouldn't it be great to receive a handwritten letter from a friend who has taken the time to pen a few words written especially for you?
During this unquestionably different holiday season, let the spirit of it all move us to demonstrate the love of God to each other in ways that are just as strong as if we were there.
Happy holidays to all!
HOSEA LONG
Little Rock
Making the best of it
What I love most about the holiday season is the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. The way we celebrate is by attending Mass at our parish church. That's what it's all about first and foremost.
I love seeing my children and granddaughters. I get excited at the thought of being around them once again. But covid has taken care of that pleasure this year. Instead, I am left with Christmas memories.
Memories of 20-something years of watching my beautiful granddaughters grow. Attending Mass with them on Christmas Eve was high on my list. Years past pictured in my mind are precious little girls in frilly dresses and fluffy hair bows, black patent shoes and white tights that wouldn't stay in place because of all the wiggling that went on. I miss those times. Christmas was complete when they came to my home and opened their presents. Their sweet voices singing "Jingle Bells," "Silent Night," and other Christmas songs amid laughter and giggles made my soul soar with happiness. Those memories are precious.
This year my husband and I have enjoyed a free sing-along at a local church, a drive-by story of Christmas, a street lined with luminaries with many houses displaying gorgeous light displays, and one house that absolutely glowed in Christmas lights. It's a covid Christmastime, and we are making the best of it.
KATHY NEAL
Little Rock