
Our mother, Beatrice Alvera (Riffell) Moody, was one of many in this area who were born around Christmas time.
I’ve done several stories over the years about those who share the day with Christ.
Mom was born two days later, on Dec. 27, 1927, the youngest of nine children of the late Emery Calvin and Mary Catherine (Stoner) Riffell.
I think it was a year or so later that Mom’s father died and Grandma raised the children without ever remarrying.
Now, all of them are gone. But our memories of them remain.
Even though I think she once said she felt left out at Christmas time, I’m sure she didn’t care just as long as she had family surrounding her. Mom would be celebrating her 97th birthday this coming Friday if she were here.
She always made Christmas special so those days are missed by us. But, I’m sure she has been celebrating with Dad and her own parents and siblings the past five years.
Her mother, who was German Baptist, was born Oct. 30, 1890, and passed away at the age of 95 on April 23, 1986.
Yes, with Christmas fast approaching, Jamie and I hope that the weather cooperates this week for those planning yuletide gatherings near and far.
It would be nice to have a beautiful white Christmas, but I think there would be less stress if it didn’t snow.
Like I said I’ve written about several Christmas events this week and last, where the focus was on the little ones, just as it should be. It was nice to see their smiling faces.
Happy birthday, Jesus….the reason for the season, and to my mother and others celebrating birthdays this season. And, Merry Christmas to our friends and loved ones. Enjoy the festivities!
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Jamie and I extend our condolences to the families and friends of Shirley Stockslager, Gary Manos, Mark Gantt, David Fair, Larry Jay Batten, Connie Hart and Alberta Lowe.
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Seeking prayers for these people: Kierra Reichert, Evelyn Manning, Tom Everhart, Kevin Schlechty, Darla Printz Whittaker, Roan Brubaker, Jack Edwards, Sandy Partin, Sandy Gunckle, Tonya Kelly, Jody Christman, Robert Christman, Mike Hopkins, Beth Royer-DeLong, Bob Christian, Mike Doyle, GraceLynn Harter, Chester Bryant, Linda Johnston, Terri Hunt, Patricia Maier, Ken Wombold, Delores Beisner, Jodi Gilpin Snyder, Charlie Bulcher, Ron Moody, Charlyee Severance, Justin Fritz, Jeremy “Jerm” Burke, DeWayne Yohey, Katrina Hoening, Kent Snyder, (cousin) Carol Byrd, Gladys Neff, Kara Didier, Carl Francis, Craig “Cheese” Thompson, Bridget Brown.
Also, Don DeBord, Otis Stewart, Chris Clark, Slug Midlam, Bob Peters, Phyllis Brumbaugh, Judy Collins, Linda Gasper, Carol Hemmerich, Dan and Lisa Lockhart, Roberta Hall, Kelly Kelch, Mike Mayse, Steve Waymire, Nikole Baldridge, Lester Beisner, Mark Lovejoy, Judy York, Donald Booker, Dennis Leeper, Connie Stachler, Randy Heck, Ronnie Norton, Gary Eichler, David Pretzman, Clinton Randall, Ralph Byrd, Bruce Kaiser, Amanda Mote, Paul Gigandet, Doug Whittington, Neal Gray, Judie Hathaway, Randy Garrison, Kathy Gragorace, Donna Bixler, Cathy Melling, Scott Clark, and all others who are suffering from other life-altering illnesses.
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Happy birthday to:
Dec. 25 to Connie Stachler, Sheri Black, Carol Schuh and Kathryn Jeffers-Quinn.
Dec. 26 to Kelly Fliehman, MacKenzie Stucke, Matt Duncan, Terry Curtis, Karen Hecht, Kelly McDowell, Ron Gard and Bill Gantt.
Dec. 27 to George Kenworthy, Tracy Johnson, Rob Hathaway, Daryl Goodwin, Mary Bevins, Scott Pfledderer, Linda Leeper, Dana Heck, Tina McClanahan, Peggy Follrod, Aaron Scammahorn and Doug Drexler.
Dec. 28 to Terry Overbay and Carol Cox.
Dec. 29 to Betty Burnfield, Mary Kell, Brad Slyder, Bruce Hetzler, Kayla Young and Heather Midlam.
Dec. 30 to Keith Burk, Monica Beisner, Stacy Barnt, Craig Prenger, Kylee Freeman, Trevor Hemmerich, Brooke Neal, Christa Bonfiglio and Katlin Moody Hileman.
Dec. 31 to Chad Wagner, Dawn MIkesell, Mary Ann Grillot and Dennis Moody.
Happy anniversary to Steve and Christa Bonfiglio on Dec. 30.
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Think about: “Christmas magic is silent. You don’t hear it; you feel it; you know it. You believe..”–The Paper Bag Christmas