Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas, and A Giveaway!

Today my mom would be 74.

I was all set to come here this morning and write lots of sentimental stuff about what she taught me and do a giveaway in her honor, like I've done the last three years since her death. I say I was all set -- I actually wasn't in the mood. I have way too many other things that need to be done today and the words just weren't really coming. Then I discovered that some kind friend had publicly commented on Facebook about the Christmas letter I sent with my cards this year and now she had everyone curious....

After I crawled back out from under the bed, I decided - Why not?

So, here's my Christmas letter and photo for all you fine friends who didn't receive one in your mailbox. Stick around til the end, because I'm also doing a giveaway in honor of my mom's birthday today. (I'm not even gonna try to tie this all together with a pretty bow!)

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Twas weeks before Christmas at

The House On The Hill,

When the mom of the bunch there

Sat down with a will.

The pictures had come

That she ordered with care,

"They didn't turn out!"

She was heard to despair.

"They're flimsy as flimsy,

And, oh how absurd,

The top line they nearly

Chopped off those two words!"

The husband advised her,

"Just cut off that line."

Her daughter assured her,

"Oh, they will be fine!"

The mom of the bunch there

Could hardly decide,

At last she decided

To swallow her pride.

"I'll send them, I'll send them,"

She bitterly said.

"They'll soon all be stuck in

A box 'neath the bed!"

The envelopes then were

Addressed with a flair,

Each name on the long list

Was written with care.

But then came an issue

Much worse than the first --

A card with no letter

Was really the worst! 

Supposing she skipped it?

But that would not do.

A card that was flimsy,

And no letter too?

So, shrugging her shoulders,

She picked up her pen

And sat down to write all

The news once again.

"The children are growing,

My husband is great.

This year we have traveled 

To this and that state.

We've moved to our new house,

We're happy and gay.

The Lord has sure blessed us,

What more shall I say?"

The pen hit the table,

And made a great clatter.

But no one was there to ask

What was the matter.

"Oh what a great letter.

I guess it is true,

But such a bland missive,

It just will not do!

The truth is, we're blessed, yes.

But we're also broken;

We fail and need Jesus

And I am not jokin'."

Who cares about houses,

How much the kids grew?

Who cares where we've traveled

And what all we do?

While husbands are great,

Who cares about mine?

It's really enough that

He makes MY eyes shine.

Who cares whether pictures

Are really just right,

And letters are written 

All cheery and bright?

In all of the gloss and

The glare of this season,

Don't ever forget that

He came for one reason.

To a world that is broken, 

He came to restore.

To bind and redeem

And give life evermore.

Perfect cards, gifts and letters

All take second place,

To the best gift of all --

Sinners, saved by Grace.

Then the mom of the bunch there,

She laid down her pen.

And she sighed a great sigh

As she took it again --

"Flimsy pictures aside,

May your day be quite bright.

Merry Christmas to all,

And to all a goodnight!"

(This proves that the words weren't almost cut off on the original pic! ☺)

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And now, the giveaway. Several weeks ago I did a review for Dorcas Smucker's newest book, 'Fragrant Whiffs Of Joy'. I still have a copy left to give away! If you'd like to join me in remembering my mom, leave a comment telling me one thing your mother taught you and your name will be entered to win 'Fragrant Whiffs Of Joy' and, depending what mood I'm in, any other goodies I can stuff in the envelope 😉