Smokin Twinkies

My dad says he doesn't remember this story, but I do. We were moving from my birth town of Winslow, to an even smaller (if possible) town called Joseph City. It was pretty much a straight shot down the road. We just followed the railroad tracks. It was always fun to see the railroad tracks back then because both of my grandfathers were caboose engineers. We would watch the trains snake by, just so we could see the end and  wave our arms,   hoping by some miracle Grandpa or Grandad was there and could actually see us waving. It made us, or at least me, feel like I was part of some thing special. Then they got rid of the cabooses on trains. Seriously, they have to get rid of everything special in the world. First cabooses and now Hostess. Is nothing sacred?

Back to my story. We had loaded up a UHaul with all of our treasures in the back and bodies in the front. (family, not dead ones.....sicko!) It was a sunny day, as usual in Arizona. The drive wasn't very long, only about 45 minutes if I remember correctly. We were buzzing along when we passed a lone hitch hiker walking along the side of the road with a cigarette in his mouth and his thumb stuck out to traffic. My dad suddenly waxed poetic when he said, "you smoke, I choke, you walk, I ride." Maybe it was because something like that was so out of character for my dad that it has stayed in my head for...well...LOTS of years, or maybe it was the simplicity in making a decision. I don't think my dad would ever had picked up a hitch hiker when he had a car/truck full of kids, but because of the man's carcinogen filled exhales, the choice was very easy for him. Maybe it was my dad's statement that made me never want to smoke myself. I wanted to always be welcome in my dad's truck. I like my dad a lot.

I wish my kids still had their dad around. Brad wasn't perfect, but he was their dad. Nobody can ever really fill the place of your dad. There is a couple of boys at my school who lost their dad last summer. It was from a long illness and they were expecting it, but I can't help tear up almost every day when I see them. I see my own kids when I look at them. I see the hurt in their eyes that they try so hard to keep at bay. I wonder if the people at the schools where my kids are see that in my kids eyes?  

Tomorrow is the last day of school before winter break. I found myself tearing up as I looked at the many many kids running around on the playground. I am going to miss them. It's funny, when I'm home I think of school, and when I'm at school I think of home. So many wonderful kids in my life. I am so blessed. I wish I was better for all of them. I wish I taught them wonderful things that made a difference in their lives. I want all these children to be better than me, and the best they can be. I want happiness, kindness, understanding, strength and success for all of them. I think about the horrors of last week in the news and I can't imagine it. I really can't. One of my teachers told me she thinks the man was possessed by a demon. Maybe he was. I can't imagine a human being doing something so awful. 

I do the best I can. I teach my kids the importance of service, compassion, education, morals, and personal hygiene. I listen to them and talk to them and try to spend time with them. I treat the kids at school the way I pray my kids are treated at their schools. I hope that by some universal balancing act my efforts at my school actually make a difference in my kids lives. It's a mom thing...

If nothing else, I did teach the kids at school how to keep their hands warm on a cold day. They came to me flapping their long sleeves.....crying that they were freezing. I did what any kind hearted, loving, concerned person would do. I carefully tied their sleeves together in a big knot so they would be warm....and stop flapping me with them. They thought it was a great game and I soon had a line of kids waiting to be tied up in their jackets. Ah, simple pleasures....life is just a wonder when kids are in it....cause I said so.

Photo credit: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=smoking+twinkies&start=180&hl=en&client=safari&sa=X&tbo=d&rls=en&biw=1366&bih=595&tbm=isch&tbnid=dWI9EXnJbWFd2M:&imgrefurl=http://www.freeenterprise.com/labor/sugar-low-union-kills-twinkie&docid=IB8hqFCz7aq9rM&imgurl=http://www.freeenterprise.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/media/00_LABOR_RIPTwinkies_659x439px.jpg&w=659&h=439&ei=baLSUNa6CaaOiAK5-YCgCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=898&vpy=40&dur=201&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=157&ty=113&sig=113066672481944259300&page=8&tbnh=137&tbnw=212&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:85,s:100,i:259

Christmas Greetings

By Susan Knight

 

While recuperating from this blasted flu, I was able to lift my head up for awhile to sit at my table and ready my Christmas cards. Thank goodness I ordered them weeks prior.

In years past, these greeting cards were my gifts to friends, neighbors and family. I handmade them, or created a design and had it printed. I am told they were turned into tree ornaments by my wonderful recipients.

Since I’ve been working full-time for the last few years, I haven’t sent Christmas cards. I emailed a Christmas newsletter instead.

Two years ago, when I fled to Utah and lived with my generous best friend and her husband for six months, I was so beyond delighted to receive Christmas cards from my friends and family back home. I missed everyone tremendously. Knowing they were thinking of me with each stroke of the pen to address that envelope and add a signature made me feel so special, so loved.

This year, as I did the same, I strolled down memory lane remembering each and every person to whom I sent a card. With each name on my list, I paused and pondered about the many kindnesses shown me, gracious friendships and loving compassion.

I never have and never will look upon Christmas cards as a stressful use of my precious time. With carols playing in the background, and colorful pens to doodle addresses, my joy was full. It lifted my spirits.

 

I wish I had made more Christmas cards for there are oh, so many more people to remember and thank. Next year I will.

Dear readers, be grateful for family and friends. “Make merry” with them this Christmas season. Keep a smile on your face and a carol in your heart. Let love waft and flow like a simmering pot of cinnamon potpourri.

Remember to thank our Heavenly Father for all He has bestowed upon you, for His tender mercies are endless. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and am humbled by His huge sacrifice on my behalf. I can never repay Him. His life was a gift.

Merry Christmas and much love to all who might read this little thought.

 

 

What to do?

by Kami Cornwall

Finals are over, Christmas is upon us, and I have a little time on my hands. The problem is...what do I do with it? I want to read this fabulous book about Anxiety Disorders in Adolescents, but I also want to get a little last minute Christmas shopping done, but I need to stay home to do some serious laundry (because little-man spent the whole night praying to the porcelain god and leaving vomity sacrifices all over his bedding and clothing) and I also want to talk to friends on the phone. Oh...and I need to pay some bills.

Sound familiar? Well...except for the vomitousness. I hate vomit. But my love for my little man out-measures my disdain for the stomach bile. So it works.

BUT FIRST I WILL BLOG!

Oh yes. Because I also have a little time to write for the next few weeks and don't think I haven't been dwelling on THAT little nugget of joy! I have been lying in bed thinking up ways to make my story better. I also think of new stories to write and then some stories that people shared with me at the conference and how excited I am that they are writing such fabulous things that I want to READ!

Here's to having a little time to ourselves during the Christmas Season! Cheers!

Happy Birthdays

by Terri Wagner

There's something magical about being born in December. Just ask Joseph Smith, I'm sure he'd agree. Our family has an overabundance of birthdays in December crossing at least four generations. Why? Don't ask, I don't know (wink wink nudge nudge). But I remain the first birthday for the season...so far. In my immediate family that meant Christmas season had officially arrived. We celebrated Thanksgiving as that and nothing else happened until the 5th. Then the tree went up, decorations came out, and Christmas music filled the air. And funnily enough I still stick to that tradition...no matter that the stores now start Christmas at Halloween. I hate the fact that Thanksgiving seems to get lost in the "holiday" train that starts with Halloween and ends around here with Mardi Gras.

We continue onward all the way to the 28th with birthdays. One had the honor of the 25th which means all his gifts were given on one day. And one who had the dubious honor of the 26th. Have you ever tried to throw a birthday party on that day??!! Don't bother...only those who feel intensely obligated will show up...lol. We did a half birthday celebration once on June 26 with half a cake, half a present...you get the idea. Cute and went over big until the teens then we were back to oh well you know who really loves you if they show up on the 26th. Outside my family I have one friend with two children born in December...it just never ends!

Whether the Savior was born in December or May or April or summer or whatever...we celebrate it December 25th, which always meant to me that "we" share something special. Every child born in December knows exactly what I mean when I say that. Although my parents were extremely careful to make sure I never "suffered" from joint birthday/Christmas gifts, nonetheless, all my gifts came around the same month. That never bothered me. Who doesn't want to be born when the entire world (ok most of the world) is celebrating an extraordinary day. Everything associated with Christmas is a part of my birthday celebration. People always smile a bit brighter and wish me a Happy Birthday and a Merry Christmas as if they were envious. I love it!

So don't feel sorry for us December babies...we have a special unique birthday moment every year (btw most people will remember December birthdays lol). And, so, Happy Birthday dear Alex...she's 27 today. That's a terrific age. I loved my 20s!

Happy Birthday to every December baby out there!