I’m sorry to report that on Sunday my brother Art had suffered another stroke – this one more intense than the first, and remains in the hospital at the time of this writing. However he is receiving radiation treatments for the tumor on his C-7 vertebrae. I ask for your prayers for all of us and request wisdom for the doctors, nurses and caregivers tending to him. I am so grateful to our younger brother Jeff who has much knowledge of these medical- type things, as he ran the oncology department while serving in the U.S. Air Force during Operation Desert Storm, and Art has given permission for his oncologist to talk/consult directly with Jeff regarding Art’s condition and all treatments.
Ron’s needle biopsy date has been changed to the 26th – with the hopes that the infection in his big toe will be gone. Continued prayers for us all are my request. I did manage to do a little shopping and running around last Saturday. I stopped in at the E. Canton Methodist church’s bazaar where I picked up delicious homemade soup and pork b-b-q (to go) and brought it home for lunch. From there I skipped on down to LeRoy to the museum where the volunteers were happy to report a brisk turn-out for the event and they were selling lots of goodies to the museum guests. Later that day Ron and I took his mom Beverly to Lowe’s in Mansfield to look at over-thestove microwave ovens – hers is on its last leg. From there we went to WalMart (definitely NOT one my favorite places) to pick up a couple things “while we’re in the area”. I ran into a couple of former employment folks and received some not so good news about a member of their family, so that only added to the less than festive feeling at the store. It was crowded (as one would expect) but there wasn’t any real friendliness to be found. Nobody seemed too thrilled to be there. Gee, what a coincidence. The best part was as we left the store we dropped a couple of dollars in the Salvation Army kettle, which I was amazed that WalMart would allow such a campaign at their store front. Anyway, we got our stuff and got out and back home before dark. Oh – we stopped in Troy and bought a couple of tasty donuts to bring home. Needless to say I was exhausted – totally drained – by the time I kicked off my shoes and plopped down on the couch.
I really enjoyed the Chancel Choir’s Christmas Cantata they presented during the regular worship service last Sunday. Ron felt up to singing in it – I was really glad. I’ve not been participating in the choir for several months due to various reasons, but I have enjoyed hearing them. We had fellowship dinner and the gift exchange after church – we could hardly find enough room on the tables for the all the food! Then at 1:00 the kid’s cantata was presented under the direction of Tom Hojnowski. They all did such a great job! And, they looked so cute! With so much going on right now in my life, I’ve not had time to attend any of the musicals or other such Christmas events throughout the area churches this year. However, I’m most certain they were grand and well attended.
The Alba Church will have a Christmas Eve candlelight service starting at 6PM. This coming Saturday on the 20th we’re gathering at the church to pack fruit/treat trays for several folks, plus gather and wrap some gifts for a family we’ve adopted for the holidays. “Tis the season!
On December 21st Winter begins. The 21st is known as “Forefathers’ Day”. On that day in 1620 the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock after a 63-day voyage, and the colonists began to disembark. And on Dec. 21 1913 a crossword puzzle was published for the first time. It appeared in the Sunday edition of the “New York World”. The 24th is known as “National Egg Nog Day”.
For December 25th, Christmas Day, a quote by Ben Franklin: “How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, his precepts! O! ‘tis easier to keep holidays than commandments”.
Food for thought: He who provides for this life, but takes no care for eternity, is wise for a moment, but a fool forever.