Life’s Reflections: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

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The Christmas season is underway and it has gotten a great start in most areas of the county.

People are busy decorating inside and outside their homes, making lists for Christmas gifts they plan to wrap and hand out and shopping.

Children’s events have already begun and will probably continue until “the big” day” and possibly beyond.

The tractor parades in  Ansonia and the parades in Greenville and other areas are big attractions in the pre-holiday season. I hear there is a huge attendance at these functions. I’ve seen photos and read messages on Facebook from people who did watch and participated in them. I am not in attendance this year as the cold air and my bones don’t get along.

I did, however, cover two children’s events this past weekend…the Breakfast With Santa at Ansonia American Legion and the Children’s Christmas Party at the VFW in Greenville.

It’s fun watching the children receive their gifts and participate with others with big smiles on their faces. What is a very interesting treat for me is to see how the little ones react to Santa Claus.

Yes, kudos to all of Santa’s helpers during these events for doing what they do to spread cheer to families at this precious time of their lives. It is also great to hear about groups who go together to make Christmas special for those who are unable to do it.

Decorations around the cities and towns are so colorful and inviting. I admire people who decorate for the season. I used to do more but not so much nowadays. However, I will probably decorate the inside of our apartment this season just so that I can get into the spirit. My decorations don’t include a tree because our apartment is too small.

As you get older it’s just not the same when your relatives and friends are no longer here on this earth. On the positive side, we have the memories of years past.

I asked my son Jamie to share one of his messages about the season and he responded, “I hope everybody has a nice Christmas and that there is nice weather. Be safe, careful and warm.” He also added, “It’s not just about receiving presents. What’s more important is the birth of our Lord and Saviour.”

So, from Jamie and me to all…..have a jolly Christmas!

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Jamie and I extend our condolences to the families and friends of  Norman Didier, Zane Keller, Carl Shoop, Ruth Schieltz, Miriam Poling and James Bradley Jr.

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Seeking prayers for these people:  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. 11 to Jenny Gilmore-Conway, Linda Bothast, Kenneth Flatter, Tim Gibboney, Steve Gates, Katie Smith, Ashlee Hetzler and Annette Livingston.

Dec. 12 to Ron HIines, Becky Meade, Allen Aukerman, Kim Ledbetter, Brooklyn Kaffenbarger, Elizabeth Skye-Hufford, Kari Bartrum, Shawn Gilbert, Jim Kammer, Randy Sanders and Vivian Dapore.

Dec. 13 to  Aaron Byrd, Daryl  Riffle, Ralph Helmer Jr. and twins Demi and  Dani Hathaway.

Dec. 14 to  Robby Moody, Missy Widener, Don Leis, Hunter Buckingham and Mary Arnett.

Dec. 15 to  Todd Kliipstine and Kent Kimmel.

Dec. 16 to Jenny Hamilton.

Dec. 17 to  Sharon Maloy, Ashley Dakin and Kaleb Earick.

Happy anniversary to  Ryan and Mindy Berry on Dec. 17 and Tony and Luann Lindamood on Dec. 17.

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Think about it: “.”Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle which fits them all.” –  Oliver Wendell Holmes