By Carrie Eckles The bulk of my childhood was spent splitting Christmas day between the houses of both of my grandmothers’. For lunch, we would go to my dad’s mom’s (Ma’s) house; for supper, we would go to my mom’s mom’s (Grandmommy’s) house. And it was very evenly split like that until my mom’s mom […]
December 20, 2012 Leave a Comment
December 19, 2012 4 Comments
Flocked Trees, Christmas Ninjas And A Borrowed Miracle
By Tracy Madlener It’s the holiday season once more and it never fails, I, Tracy Madlener become a mushy ball of sentimental goo with no rhyme or reason that even listening to Bruce Springsteen’s rendition of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” will put me in tears! As soon as December 1 is marked off […]
December 18, 2012 1 Comment
December 17, 2012 1 Comment
Hope Is The Greatest Gift Of All
By Amanda Fox The holidays are a joyous time! What isn’t there to like about them? There are presents, people wishing us a happy whatever we celebrate, and oh, the food and seasonal snacks to die for! There are people, however, that aren’t overjoyed on the holidays. Some people might call them a Grinch, killjoy […]
December 16, 2012 Leave a Comment
Love, Life, and Family-Mend Fences at the Holidays
By Carrie Eckles December 25, 2012 will be my first Christmas without my mom. The furthest I’ve ever been away from her was a six hour drive. There isn’t a greater distance than the distance between life and death. And I’m not talking about the afterlife or how they’re in your heart—they’re always close […]
December 15, 2012 1 Comment
The Christmas Tree: Magic MUST Be True
By Knikkolette Church One evening close to Christmas a few years back, a single mother came in to the “Toy Shop” a program MUST offers to families who could not otherwise provide a Christmas for their children. The mother came in with a look of sadness, almost despair. She knew she did not have the […]
December 14, 2012 Leave a Comment
The Christmas Spirit Foundation: Bringing Christmas To Troops Abroad
By Alicia Taylor Many of us spend the Christmas holidays separated from our families by miles of distance. We know they are safe. We know that they, too, are celebrating around their own tree and, hopefully, missing us as well. However, some of us have military family members stationed overseas. They miss their homes […]
December 13, 2012 2 Comments
The Gift of Present
By Tracy Madlener Yooo hooo! Yes, YOU… Did I get your attention? Are you here with me? Well you must be if you’re nodding your head wondering what the heck I’m talking about. BUT, you’re here! You’re here with me and no matter what I’m saying, you’re right here with me. Yes, yes, I can […]
December 12, 2012 Leave a Comment
Toys For Tots: A Christmas Miracle We Can All Take Part In
By Heather Jabusch Tis the season to give back. Not only do we spend the holiday times getting presents for our loved ones, but we tend to find ways to give back to our communities and help out those that are less fortunate. Whether you want to donate your time, money/gifts or place there is […]
December 11, 2012 Leave a Comment
Stop Watering The Weeds And Start Watering The Flowers!
By Amanda Fox It’s time to stop watering the weeds and start watering the flowers! You might have snow on the ground or freezing temperatures where you are right now and think I’m crazy. I’m not talking about the weeds in your garden or lawn, I’m talking about the weeds in your life. We […]