The Envelope - a Christmas Story

It's just a small white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so. It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas -- oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it -- the overspending, the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma -- the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else.

Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties, and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way. Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended. Shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church.

These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light  helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford.

Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat.

Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I wish just one of them could have won," he said. "They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them." Mike loved kids -- all kids -- and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball, and lacrosse.

That's when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years.

For each Christmas, I followed the tradition -- one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on. The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning, and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.

As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn't end there. You see, we lost Mike last year due to cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning it was joined by three more. Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope.

Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us. May we all remember Christ, who is the reason for the season, and the true Christmas spirit this year and always.

Fwd to us by Pauline of PaulinesFashions
Sent to her via email by The Daily Encourager

The Last Day of February

As you know, February has not been a good month for me in most respects. However, I do try to look for something positive amid all the dark, gloom, sadness, and despair. In this situation, it stood out like a sunny day! So many people have come forward: friends, family, friends of friends, friends of family, family of friends and even complete strangers to support us through this sad and stressful time. It has meant so much to all of us and we want you to know how much we appreciate it and to thank you for all you've done for us. I know there will be sunny days ahead and that soon I'll be able to snooze in my own sunbeam.

Thank you everyone!

FAMILY LOVE~ANIMAL STYLE ;-)

I have a "family member" who sends me the most adorable animal pictures....and I can't help but imagine what they are thinking.
Monday seems the perfect day to share...
You may have seen these before but even if you have, they are sure to bring a smile to your face on any Monday...even a holiday! ;-)

"Mom, tell me the story one more time...."

"He's my brother....and he's HEAVY!"

"Are they gone? Can I come out? Is it safe?"

"Hush little baby, don't you cry...."

"MOMMMMM!!! WHERE'S MOMMMMM!?!?"

HAPPY LABOR DAY! HOPE YOU ENJOY!

KELLY & CREW~BIG MAC, MOLLY & MOXIE

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