As I woke up this morning, I realized that we have not written a blog for almost 2 years now! Yes, it is Christmas day & as a holiday tradition for many, we look forward to be together as a family! It is indeed a "White Christmas" as the ground is blanketed & covered with beautiful fine snow this morning!
Ben mentioned to me last night while preparing food at the kitchen, "We don't have gifts for each other!"
I responded, "We give gifts to each other every day & every minute of the day!"
Giving gifts to each other is no longer a chore & a recurring "stress" on deciding what to give...but decided instead to share to others in need if we can.
Christmas like today though reminds me of my parents:
One Christmas eve in the Philippines, my Dad came home from work before midnight while my three brothers & four sisters were already asleep. Dad handed to Mom a small bag with a bunch of grapes (given to him by a friend) and said, "Wake the kids up; share them these grapes!" My mom did what she was told to do, carefully counting & dividing the grapes before sharing equally to us (these were treats imported from other countries).
While enjoying my share, I offered some to Dad...but he won't accept it. Oh, the love of a Father to his children! We grew up poor but their LOVE overwhelmed us all! I do not remember growing up and decorating Christmas trees, but Dad would gather us together as a family, morning & evening worships & singing, "Thank you Lord for saving my soul!"
Christmas time it is the time to think of our experiences this year. My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. Benj injured his shoulder. A dear friend lost his beloved wife. A friend divorced, then lost both parents within a few months from each other. Another friend lost her mother. Typhoon in the Philippines; etc. What a challenging & nerve wracking year! But the LOVE of our Father above always overwhelms us!
Thank God, the weather yesterday was nice and we were able to visit a very close friend (in Michigan) who was getting ready for a doctor's appointment. After knowing that I had been mailing relief goods to the Philippines, she & her husband gathered up things from their closet and filled up bags of clothing & stuff. I could see the joy & smile emanating from both their faces even though I felt their pain & suffering from her illness. She had been fighting cancer for a few years now. With the experience of Ben, I am fortunate to have first hand experience & gained courage to handle situations like this...dealing with friend's & relatives with illness & death.
Before heading home, she showed her Christmas gifts from her daughter & husband and told me that if I wanted them, I could have her gifts! I said, "You opened your Christmas gifts already?" She answered, "Yes," and told me that while opening her gifts, her husband took her pictures...she was smiling & jumping for joy! (demonstrating it).
Once I entered our car, I became emotional and shed tears. Seeing her so happy even wanting to share her gifts to me, I thought of her as saying "goodbye" and may be her last Christmas?
Received a note from my sister, "Just want to take this time to thank you for all the things you have done for me and gave me. I know you've financially helped (us) me since I was in grade school until high school (Christian schools). Even though we don't agree on a lot of things, we are still family and love each other. I am glad we always made things up. I'm really praying that we will all be together in heaven someday including Mom & Dad. Thank you!"
Yes, experiences in life with either family or friends, whether good or unpleasant to me are life strengthening experiences. They are gifts from the Lord!
With the spirit of Christmas, we always remind our children...everyday should be Christmas & Thanksgiving.
This song comes to mind:
"One day at a time sweet Jesus, that's all am asking from You!"
"Just give me the strength to do every day what I have to do."
"Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine."
"Lord help me today, show me the way..one day at a time."
"So for my sake, teach me to take (Lord), one day at a time!"
Merry Christmas to you all!
