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{Straight From the Heart} *Christmas Morning* 12/22/00
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I wanted to share a very special story with all of you by our teenage writer, Emily J. Foster. Emily has shared her writing with us here at SFTH for the past year and half, and sent me the following story for Christmas. I did not have any slots open before Christmas though, so decided to put it on the website and include the link so that you all may read it. I ask that you do so and then write to Emily and encourage her as she begins her writing career...
Thanks!
Michael
Click below to read her story!
True Meaning of Christmas
http://storiesfrommyheart.com/true_meaning_of_Christmas
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CHRISTMAS MORNING
By Janie Orman
"He's coming, Mama? I hear him!" five-year-old Madi squealed.
"Who, child?"
"Santa?"
Mama glanced at the sweater that she was mending. Holes in the clothes,
holes in the britches, holes in the bank account. Was Santa going to come
this year? She turned and smiled at the little one at her feet.
Carefully, Mama worded her answer.
"Yes, he's coming! You don't think that he'd forget a sweet little thing
like you, do you?" Mama was rewarded with an exuberant hug from her
five-year-old. Would hugs be all there was for Christmas this year? Would
it be enough?
Madi tugged her mama's sleeve. " Let's just be real quiet so Santa will
think that we are asleep." After a moment, she whispered, "Tell me about
when you were a little girl."
Mama studied her daughter for a moment before answering. "Well, things
were different back then. But I do remember when my papa would come home
late from work on Christmas Eve, he'd come bringing surprises."
"Tell me about them, Mama."
Mama held the little one's eyes that were round with excitement. She'd
always tried to guard them from hurt. But could she accomplish that on
this Christmas Eve?
"I'd climb up onto his lap, all the while he'd pretend that nothing was
going on. I'd slip my hands into his pockets and soon I'd find just what
I was waiting for."
"What? What was it?" Madi whispered, barely breathing in anticipation.
"Long sticks of red-and-white candy canes." Mama went back in time as the
bittersweet memories paraded across her mind.
"What about toys, Mama?"
"Oh, child, there were no toys."
"No toys! Christmas would be no fun without toys!" cried the little one.
Mama searched through her heart for just the right answer. She stared at
the basket that had been slipped conspicuously underneath the scarred
coffee table. She stared at the few items within its weaving. They were
long, red-and-white with a thin clear wrapper protecting them from the
world.
"My mama was gone by then. It was just me and my daddy."
"Like it's just me and you now," came the wisdom of the child.
"Yes. I loved those times with my daddy. They were special and so far in
between. He was a hard working man, but times were difficult, and there
was no extra for toys. But when I'd find those sweet precious sticks of
peppermint, my heart would nearly burst. You see, my daddy told me that
they were wrapped in his love."
"What did you give him for Christmas?" came the curiosity of the child.
"Hugs. I only had hugs for him."
"Ohhhh,"
"My daddy would tell me a story. He would tell me about a baby named
Jesus that came into the world that night. He came to bring love to all
the people. After he'd grown and grown he gave that love to us in a
special way. He is coming one day soon and again will bring that special
gift of love."
The old clock chimed the midnight hour. Christmas morn had arrived. Mama
and Madi sat snuggled together by the oil heater and waited to see what
the day would bring. As Madi began to squirm, Mama reached underneath the
coffee table and pulled out the long striped candy.
"Oh, you got me some love! Thank you Mama! But I didn't get you
anything!" Madi thought for a moment and then came close to her mama and
hugged her with all the love of an innocent five-year-old.
Mama held her daughter and knew that she was blessed. Love the best gift
of all!
Years later, on Christmas Eve the two sat much in the same position.
Except this time, Madi held her ailing Mama. Much had happened in their
lives since that Christmas. Madi had her own children and many
Christmases filled with gifts beyond the imagination. But none ever
surpassed that one so long ago.
The old clock chimed the midnight hour. Christmas morn had arrived. Madi
leaned closer as Mama tried to speak.
"He's coming, daughter. I hear Him"
"Who, Mama?"
"Jesus."
Madi glanced at the mended sweater that Mama insisted on wearing. She
glanced at the holes in the tattered rugs on which they sat. She glanced
at Mama. Madi's heart swelled with love for her dear mother. Then
answered, "Yes! He's coming! You don't think He'd forget a sweet thing
like you, do you?" Madi felt her mama reaching beneath the worn out
blanket. "Let me help, you Mama."
Tears flooded Madi's eyes as the long, striped candy cane fell into her
hand. "Thank you, Mama. But all I have for you is a hug,"
Madi hugged her mama and felt her drift from this life.
Mama smiled as she ran through the gates of Heaven, and into the
outstretched arms.
Christmas this year was the most wonderful one ever! Christmas filled
with the most precious gifts. Candy canes, love, and her Father's hug.
Janie Orman
grac7@airnwire.com
Send Janie an email and let her know what you thought of her story!
Copyright © by Janie Orman, All rights reserved
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Janie lives in Indiana and is happily married to the lifetime friend that
God gave her. They have five children who now fill their home with
grandchildren. She helps her husband pastor Cornerstone Church, enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, and sometimes plays golf on their family owned
golf course. When not busy with the cares of life, Janie will be found at
her desk with a story itching to be penned.
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REQUESTS:
From: Neeny2@aol.com
Thank you for your prayers once before. My son-in-law's brother has just passed on to God via a five year battle with colon cancer. I requested prayers for him sometime ago and I know the prayers of family and friends kept him with us for a long time; to those of us left behind I know it seems cruel that a vibrant young man of 56 should leave us here, but with God's help we will get through this Christmas season. This dear man on his dying bed kept asking for the time. You see it was his brother's (my dear son-in-law) birthday. When he asked after the clock passed midnight, he peacefully passed on to be with our Savior. We feel that he did not want to leave his brother with the memory that he had died on his birthday.
Thank you for letting me pour all this out to you and for the prayers all have offered for him.
*****************
From: cheetah@citynet.net (Sherri)
Just a quick note to thank everyone for your prayers. My mom made it through the surgery just fine and is in recovery as I write this. She was fine from the beginning with all this and still has her faith in God. Bless all of you and have a wonderful and blessed holiday!
God Bless!
Sherri
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Thought For The Day:
"The created world is but a small parenthesis in eternity." -Thomas Browne
Verse for the Day:
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen
is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
Kid's Thought For The Day:
"Sometimes tomorrow takes a really long time to come. Especially when it is Christmas Eve."
Parent's Thought For The Day:
"You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance." - Franklin P. Jones
Coach's Thought For The Day:
"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will." -Vincent T. Lombardi
Deep Thought For The Day:
When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if
they ever press charges." - Jack Handy
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_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
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Video Imagery (Michael's Video Production Business.)
"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch the video we gave them. They loved it, to say the least! Within thirty seconds my mom was crying and my dad did too. They said it was the best Christmas gift we could have given them!! You did such a beautiful job! They were so surprised and so touched---they really, really, really loved it. Thanks for helping to make it so special to us all. My mom mentioned how the songs were perfect for the video too! Thanks again!"
Kelli (RKaGe@aol.com) College Station, TX
Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies!
Check out the web page for Michael's video production business!
Video Imagery
http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html
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