It is a marital truth known by all women and romantically challenged men that a husband who gives a toaster/electric can opener/pool table/vacuum cleaner to his wife as a Christmas gift should first be sure he is ok being relegated to sleep on the living room couch that night. So you can imagine my shock … Continue reading I Gave My Wife a Vacuum Cleaner for Christmas…and Lived to Tell About It.
Month: December 2019
A Mouse Named Noel
My son and daughter-in-law had to put down their fifteen-year-old poodle this week. Every dog lover understands the heartache that comes when its time to say goodbye to a loyal, lovable, and forever-a-part-of-the-family pooch. It’s especially tough when you have to explain such a loss to your two young daughters. My son shared how he … Continue reading A Mouse Named Noel
If It’s Eggrolls, It Must Be Christmas
Christmas is a time to make memories, and hopefully, the kind of memories that still make you laugh, giggle and smile sixty years later. Unless it was the Christmas of 1986, when “Santa” had the bright idea to leave all his Christmas gifts in one 10 foot long black plastic bag so that our family … Continue reading If It’s Eggrolls, It Must Be Christmas
The Simple Joys of Christmas
The headlining theme of last year’s December 2018 edition of Southern Living magazine was one of the “Simple Joys” of Christmas. I always chuckle a hearty HO-HO-HO at such teasing titles. While offering readers the hope of a simple Christmas, the magazine proceeded to unload a Santa sleigh-full of ideas on decorating, wreaths, cooking, … Continue reading The Simple Joys of Christmas
The Great Musician’s Birthday
Grief shouts the loudest during holidays. Following the loss of a loved one, those left behind must navigate a minefield of emotions during those first holidays without their beloved. And who wants to talk about such a gloomy subject at a time like Christmas? For most of my adult life, grief was never an … Continue reading The Great Musician’s Birthday
What This Grandfather Wants for Christmas
My adult children struggle to buy Christmas gifts for me. It’s not really as bad as it sounds. They have just run out of gift ideas for their dad. Usually, in early November, the pleading starts, “Dad, we need your list of what you want for Christmas!” I have a problem answering that question. As … Continue reading What This Grandfather Wants for Christmas
The Tale of the Advent Log
Christmas is my favorite season of the year. The scents, the symbols, the decorations all tend to create a festive, if not reflective time when we have yet another opportunity to cherish family, our traditions, and the faith that makes life meaningful. Unfortunately, the commercialization and secularization of Christmas have distracted us from much of … Continue reading The Tale of the Advent Log
