Christmas

[Fluttering]

Christmas has become so commercialized and in many places restrictions are placed on displays etc. I know there are many besides myself that are struggling with financial haardships and depressed that they can not give presents to others.

Let's remember the true meaning of Christmas.. The retrictions can not take away our faith and our beliefs.

We can give of ourselves..We can give the greatest give that was given to us..LOVE. We can give an encouraging smile..We can give forgiveness to ourselves and to others.

Love is not something that can be bought with Master Card or American Express. It is priceless. being pricelss it is not in a museum or a memorial. It is in our hearts. When we give of ourselves and we give from the heart we are also giving gratitude for what was so freely given to us. Given freely..unconditionally, no strings attached, no one upsman..free, precious, and priceless.

It is the first Christmas without my father. I read on the grief forum about the first holiday with out a loved one. There was a prayer/poem that describes a memorial with four candles and what the candles represent. I sent that to my mother with four candles. What I am trying to say is there are many things a person can do from the heart that do not cost a lot of money. Remembering a loved one that has passed is also a gift.

Remember the true meaning of Christmas and focus on what we do have, not on what we do not have. What we do have is a new design for living, faith, values, principles. When we put our program into action we are giving a priceless gift

[Ann]

What a wonderful post, Fluttering, and something I needed to read today.

As much as my recovery has taken me to a good place where I can celebrate Christmas and enjoy the music and lights and family and friends...there is always a little sad part of my heart for my son who is missing. I can't linger in the sadness because it can trap me in the darkness, but I can light a candle, say a special Christmas prayer and then go do something nice for a homeless person, or volunteer to help the Salvation Army give out Christmas baskets, or help a single mother buy gifts for her children. Giving joy to others always comes back tenfold for me.

In my Christmas prayers this year, I will include you and all who have lost a loved one and miss them most at Christmas. I have a feeling that your father is one of those Christmas angels who is smiling down at you.

Hugs

[Rusty Zipper]

(...)

[jurneyman]

Fluttering, again you bring me to place that I should be. Everything happens for a reason.
On another thread I posted about each one of us is given a gift by our Creator to share with the rest of humanity. I remember women in our old parish knitting hats and gloves for anyone who needed them, One year myself and and patch brother volunteered to pickup, and drive people to church,
The best part of this for me was the look on family members faces when two tough looking, long haired, bearded, bikers in leather, came to pick up grandma, and take her to church. We just picked up her wheelchair with her in it and put her in my van.

Thank you for reminding me of a gift I gave when I was able to help someone get to church on Christmas 30 years ago. Thank you again, for your gift to me, a memory I had forgotten a long time ago. To tell the truth, It really didn't mean anything to me at the time, but it sure does now.

[Fluttering]

THE NIGHT BEFORE ANOTHER SOBER CHRISTMAS

'Twas the night before Christmas, we were all in the club,
Enjoying a meeting, instead of the pub.
The ashtrays were clean, and the coffee was made,
The Big Books were out and we all had prayed.
When out in the lot, there arose such a clatter,
We all jumped up to see what was the matter.
The Chair with his Big Book, and I with my smokes,
Headed outside to find these two blokes.
They came on inside and sat at the table;
And said that they'd chair, as soon as they're able.
To start with, they said, "It's more than not drinking;
It's doing your best to fix your sick thinking."
"Think, Think, Think!" and the slogans we used,
Help keep the newcomer from getting confused.
Step 1 is a start, they said we should know,
But after Step 2, we'll be all aglow.
We make a decision when we got to Step 3;
Step 4 was real tough, we all could agree.
Step 5 is the one where we let it all out,
And after Steps 6 and 7, we're left with no doubt.
When we got to Step 8, we made our list;
And then with Step 9, we have to persist.
After Step 9, the promises ring true;
We didn't just make that up, right out of the blue.
After that, it's on with the rest;
The things we must do, to be our best.
They put on their coats and got ready to leave;
A pretty good end, for this Christmas Eve.
As to their names, we only could guess;
Must have been Bill W. and Dr. Bob S.
The two men hopped into a '35 Ford,
And as they pulled out, one of them roared:
"We leave this message, for our sisters & brothers:
trust God, clean house, and be of service to others.
And for all of you people, I just want to say:
have a nice holiday, but don't drink today!"
--
Today I know that the light at the end of the tunnel is an old-timer walking
ahead of me with a lantern. "Pass it on"

[IO Storm]

Hugs to all of you who have suffered loss.

Dear Ann, I didn't know you had a son..missing. I am so sorry.

For all those who have gone before, and my father and three babies in heaven.