Wednesday, December 13, 2017

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 😉

38 comments:

  1. Bethany I love this! And what a cute picture. Well my mother taught me the importance of prayer and how we really need to pray for those who mistreat us.

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    1. I often wonder what a person would do without prayer!

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  2. Bethany, I feel unloved. I’m sad I didn’t get a card from you. �� This is awesome! Your words, and writings truly are amazing. I was raised by my great grandmother my parents died when I was 5 years old. She always taught me to treat others how I would want to be treated and to be honest. Thank you for sharing and have a great holiday. Much love.
    -Carla

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    1. I'm overcome with guilt! 🙈😉 Wow. I did not know that about your parents! Much love to you, too ❤

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  3. She taught me that forgiveness is a choice we make. It's not based on how you feel! Sorry you lost your mom!
    Dorcas Siegrist

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  4. My mom taught me the meaning of the word "No" and she used it often. What does "no" mean? It means NO! I didn't like it. In fact, I hated it. But when I learned to use it I realized its power to do good things. It kept me away from drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. It kept me away from too-forward boys. It kept me away from crime. It allowed me to keep my integrity, my health, my safety, my freedom, and my virtue intact. Guess what I am teaching my daughters? -Karen Regling

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  5. I love your poem! How fun!

    And I'm not entering your giveaway since I already have Dorcas' book but my mom taught me to always talk kindly about others.
    Gina

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  6. Your mom was such a sweet lady. I have many memories of your family coming to Texas. One last memory of her... She sent a letter and card to us, while my husband was going through his cancer treatment etc. That wasn't long before she passed away.
    My mom taught me a lot about being hospitable... We often had someone over for a meal, or then overnight guests. She always wanted the room ready for the next people. She said, "We don't know when the next people will come!"~Norma Friesen

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    1. Mom was so good with writing people notes of encouragement! Blessings to you this Christmas.

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  7. My mom taught me to love people even when they were unlovable. And to forgive even when they sometimes did what seemed to be unforgivable. She died when I was only 29 years old and I have missed her every single day since and I’m now 57. I don’t think we ever forget the lessons our mothers teach us or the love they gave us unconditionally.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  8. Bethany thank you for sharing that poem! My Mother taught me to reach out to the neighbors by her example.

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  9. Bethany, I love your poem! May you all have a blessed Christmas. I'm sorry for your loss of your mother. My whole family has passed also. I know, Christmas just isn't the same now. But, God has taken care of me, He has provided for all my needs, even during my less-faithful times of doubt & worry. God bless you all!

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    1. Yes, those losses change our lives! I'm so glad you've found God to be faithful. ❤

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  10. Hi 🙂 I have so many fond memories of your sweet Mom!! One thing I don't forget is Mom telling me different times how she always thot sister Lovina always had the tidiest kitchen when she cooked a meal. She said it seems like she don't have many dirty dishes. So she ask her once how she does it? She chuckled and said you just don't know everything 😉 what you don't know is I'm not as clean as it appears 😉 I wash quite afew dishes as I'm cooking under the faucet with no soap 😁 I often think of that when I'm making a meal and do like aunt Lovina did 😊 I miss her and her sister so much!!! 😧❤️❤️

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    1. I love this ☺ I do the very same thing when I'm cooking! Thanks for sharing your memories ❤

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  11. My mom taught me how to sew dresses and I'm grateful I can sew for me three growing daughters.

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  12. Hi Bethany, thank you for sharing that delightful poem! I also sat down and attempted to write a letter to send out with our family Christmas cards this year. And then scrapped it. It seemed like all I was writing were things that didn't really matter. So my cards were sent without a letter this year too! :)
    Honoring our moms- I am very thankful my mom taught me to sew, as I now have four daughters to sew for, and teaching them to sew (dresses, in particular) feels like a monumental task!
    May you have a day of feeling God close as you remember your mother. (And don't enter me in your drawing, I already have this book!)

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    1. Thanks for commenting even if you have the book! ☺

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  13. Your perspective on life and it's priorities are excellent! I totally love it and am always blessed and inspired! One thing that stands out in my childhood memories is that mom never talked down on school teachers. She taught me to respect what they said and did. They were not perfect but mom never let their imperfections stand in the way of how we responded to them. Now I have girls in school and think of that often. Respect is a very important thing in life! Blessings to you!

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  14. My mom taught me lots of things, but I especially think of her when I fold laundry. She liked things folded neatly,with corners matching, etc. Now I'm trying to teach my children the same thing. My mom passed away 5 years ago, but the memories of her are sweet. Her birthday would be Dec. 15, so I miss her a little more than usual this week.

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  15. Love, love, loved your poem!! :) My mom set the example that it is better to give than to receive. Even if we were very busy one day, if someone needed a meal, we would do that and skip doing some of the things we really wanted to do, but weren't that important. I will always be thankful for that.

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  16. My mom taught me to be friends with everyone even if they didn't look "cool." I still have many friends today and love every one of them!

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  17. My mom taught me how to write thank you notes and how to clean house. The house cleaning has come in very handy, especially since we're military and have moved seven times in the last eight years:-)
    Zuvers 2009 at yahoo dot com

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  18. My mom taught me by example to give credit to others for having taught her things--a cooking tip, etc. LRM

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  19. So now I know why I put off writing that Christmas letter..who really cares about all that's important in my world? I enjoyed your poem, but I'm not about to try that. It reminded me of all the times my mom would start reciting a poem she learned as a child that was so appropriate for the occasion. She taught me to enjoy poetry as well as good books. Jo

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  20. Thanks for sharing your Christmas letter & card! I loved it!
    My mom taught me so many valuable things too.....I lost my father at age 7, so seems most of my value system & teaching came from her. The one thing that stands out the most is this. “If you don’t have anything good to say about someone, be quiet.”

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  21. My mom taught me most everything I know, I suppose! One phrase that rings in my ears is, “Get at it and do it!“

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  22. I love your Christmas letter! My Mom has been gone for 22 years and I miss her every day. When she discovered she had cancer she simply said, "I'm in the Lord's hands." She taught me through her attitude that I, too, can depend on God in every situation.

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  23. I would be new at reading your blog...but I really enjoyed your Christmas poem and picture! About my Mom...oh so difficult to decide what to say. One thing that came to mind is her giving, reaching out, meals for people, and having company/friends over last minute even if things were not perfect. I want to do the same!
    Julie

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  24. Loved your Christmas letter!:)

    My mom taught me how to spoil my Husband and look ahead and get what he may be needing before he even asks for it!:)
    Yes we have an auto repair shop here in North east Ohio, and I am a MOM, wife and a helpmeet here in the office!:) tina@zimmermanauto.biz

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  25. My birth mother passed away when I was years old. My step-mother who is all I really remember taught me by her example to apologize when I've done wrong as a parent. She also taught me how to keep house, cook, sew and so much more. What she didn't know, she had someone else teach me- like making pie crust and butchering chickens. I didn't realize until later years that she didn't do these things. :)

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  26. In memory of my Mom who passed away eight years ago in November she showed me in many ways that it is important to reach out to those who are hurting. There is always someone who we can send cheer to.

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