On Dec. 18, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus paid a visit to Union School District, along with the Grinch. Please tell me he didn’t steal Christmas! From the happy smiles of the children posted on the districts’ Facebook page, I would say the Clauses must have made him give it back, if he tried!
It is hard to believe that, as I write this with an early deadline, it is only three days until Christmas morning! By the time you read this, most reminders will be gone, except maybe a few scraps of leftover wrapping paper, and stubborn ornament glitter here and there. I hope that it will be (was) as wonderful as everyone hoped. It should be a time of healed relationships, renewed hope, increased gratitude, a lightened heart. If not, my prayers go out to you.
I lost my husband 18 years ago a few days before Christmas, and his funeral was on Dec. 22. I saw him go from pain to peacefulness just a few hours before he breathed his last and I know that the peace hehas now is far beyond anything I can imagine. And it is eternal. That gives me peace and hope.
Many of the past few years in Union, I have been alone at Christmas. That was hard for me, since Christmas has always been the festive, busy, happy time my family enjoyed from childhood until my children matured and made their own homes. The past several years, at least some of them chose to spend Christmas with me. For me family is key to extending the joy of the season from my heart into my energy. This year I plan to do it differently, spending Christmas with my siblings, returning to my decorated home in Louisiana.
By the time you read next week’s column, Christmas will be a memory — sweet for some, possibly sad or even bitter for others. New Year’s Day will be behind us. Many resolutions will already be broken. And I, dear reader, will be a year older, celebrating my birthday at my desk at the mill as you read this column.
Reaching the age of 70 was strange. When I was 20 I thought I would never be that old. Now two years later, it just seems normal. There isn’t a lot of difference except in my looks, and the amount of medicines I take. And I don’t have to deal with migraine headaches like I did when I was young. I don’t have the energy I did then, but I never was exactly athletic. And family is not something I take for granted anymore. Family is the reason I keep trudging on to continue being in this world. Siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and even my non-blood, extended family keep me supported and happy to be here, to love them and receive their love.
Those are the things I hope to carry into 2018. God has blessed me with so much faithful and loving family and a few friends who lighten my load and bring joy to my heart.
Now and then someone will ask me, “You are the lady who writes the Union article, aren’t you? I read it every week, and I love it.” Admittedly, those are few and infrequent, but they give joy to my heart. Doing something I love to do and communicating who I am and even who you are makes me happy. That is why I got to my computer at five a.m. to write to you. You also bring something extra into my life. And I thank you.
I hope this finds you fulfilled, grateful, and looking toward this new year ahead, “with bated breath” to use an old romance novel term. With the flu and strep striking many families right now, I pray you will all be careful and stay healthy.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a safe, happy New Year celebration.
Send your news or items of interest to me at gingersnapwelch@gmail.com or text me at 601-504-3146. I will not be able to pick up voice mails for next week’s column unless you leave it on my Louisiana number: 318-307-0819.
