A couple weeks ago I wrote about a girl in my life that made me feel terrible about the hair barettes (we 4 girls only Christmas gift from Mother that lean year) we were so proud to have received ...
I asked my brother about his Christmas memories ... In his note you will read about the 'apple'. His wife has shared this story when they were visiting with us. How seldom we think beyond our own moments, but my SIL brought things to a screaming front position with her simple Christmas request as a child... Enjoy.
~~~~~
My brother reflects Christmas memories ~
I had many, and they all seem to be a blur as sometimes it’s easier to blank out things which we would like to forget . When you related the time Helen Jean asked: “Is that all”, brought to mind when I was in the third grade, and we were forced to go to the head of the classroom and speak into a wooden microphone which was crafted by Steve R’s (sic) dad to tell what we received for Christmas & where we went for the Holiday ’s. Mine was the shortest……….
I returned to my seat wearing hand-me-downs (amidst the snickering) thinking that when I got older, and had kids, that I was going to take them to every state in the union, and spoil the heck out of them. I haven’t been able to do that (yet), but it is one of the reasons that Trevva & Quaella have been to ½ of the states as of this missive.
I’m not bitter as I know mother did the best, with what she had for resources, but it did instill in me that internal drive to be the best that I can be ...
One of my goals prior to leaving this world is to start a food bank in the Philippines , by growing food, and then giving it away. My wife has related to me how she would go to bed on Christmas Eve dreaming of finding an apple under the tree for her. - - An apple. We as kids had it far better than many of the children around the world who go to bed on empty stomach, and fall asleep dreaming of just eating, and what the next day of scavenging will bring.
I will get off my soap box now, thanking you for asking the question of my most precious Christmas memories, as most of them go back to December of 1992 when I arrived in the Philippines for the first time and witnessed real poverty, yet such great happiness. The Philippines celebrate the birth of Christ, as we all should, and not the commercialization of it.
Your favorite brother,
Buck
*****
PPS This is why 'giving to others' is such a passion of mine, it takes precedent over much in my life ... these little moments in life molded me ... others before all else. I thank my Lord daily for the blessings that have been bestowed upon me to share in joy for & with others.
Okay... I'm in tears. This was a wonderful recollection to ponder. Thank you for posting your brother's writing.
ReplyDeleteWe forget sometimes just how much of a product we are of our childhood. I think about that more and more daily.
Merry Christmas
Karen
Ladybug Creek
Oh Marydon, every time I visit you I am so inspired... the note from your brother is so precious and the story of your sister in law wishing for an apple under the tree touched my heart so... you and your family are such kind, giving, wonderful people... I know that firsthand... and I am so thankful I have received my "gift" from you of your friendship and love... love and kisses to you and your dear brother and sister in law too... xoxo Julie Marie
ReplyDeleteHi Marydon, I read your last two posts and they are so inspiring! Loved them both. Yes, it's so easy in this country to forget how so many people in the world live. The story of "Rudolph" is amazing, I'd never heard the history of it. Just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHave a Merry, Merry Christmas,
blessings,
Debra
So much inspiration...food for thought...friendship. Hugs
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post Marydon. We all need to be reminded to use less and share more , to help make the world a better place for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI have tears in my eyes....this was very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours Marydon,
Love,
LuLu~*xoxo
Marydon, how very true. There are more people in this world that are hungry then not. Thanks for such a sweet reminder that it is more blessed to give then to receive :-) Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMERRY CHRISTMAS MARYDON!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been reading the past couple of post and your/these stories are little reminder and blessings.
Thank you for your giving heart and I wish you and your's a Blessed Merry Christmas!
Warmly,
Deb :)
One of the reasons why I'm posting so much about my Saturday market trip is exactly for that. We live in a land of luxury and privilege and sometimes just don't see it. Thanks for this wonderful Christmas story and memory.
ReplyDeleteHow very kind of you to share this lovely story with all of us. It does bring a tear to my eye reading it though.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like me and how I wanted to do so much more for my children when they were growing up.
Our parents had it hard but they did what they could and thats all that matters in the long run.
Loved the letter from your brother and yes we need to celebrate Christmas as they do in their country
Merry Christmas
Maggie
Marydon, my hubby is from the Philippines and they were lucky to receive even a coin for Christmas but they still celebrated mass and were thankful for what they had. Many people in their town were in the same situation. They were very religious and true to their faith. I came from a very poor family with nine children and there were many Christmas's we did not have gifts under the tree. I vowed I would never let my children feel the pain of being poor. But I want them to know there is more to Christmas than just receiving, it is important to give. This year we will be taking them (and the grandchildren) out and we will find a few people to give food to and gifts for the little ones, and some money to help out. They need to know that the feeling you get from giving is so much better than receiving. My other sisters do the same thing, they just drive down the street in a poor section of our town, until they find someone they can hand an envelope to - anonymously. That makes the best Christmas for us.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas yall.
Another beautiful post. Your brother's story is touching. Blessings to him and the work he is doing to help others. ~ Sarah
ReplyDeleteThat is a very touching story. If they do start a food bank in the Philippines, I hope they're careful. It's become a very violent place because of the Muslim invasion.
ReplyDeleteGod bless! MERRY CHRISTMAS! :)
Such a beautiful post Marydon. Something as simple as an apple that many of us probably have laying in our fruit bowl this very moment would be a treasure to someone else.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Sue
That was sooooooo touching and also inspiring. What a great idea you had for a post to ask family to remember.
ReplyDeleteKeep up your great work - sorry I've not been around every day. I'm trying . . . LOL
What a wonderful story of giving and I like the one about Rudolph to.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Hugs
Patsy
Hi Marydon...Merry Christmas! For some reason I have not been able to view your new blog....but have kept trying and I'm so happy I was able to connect tonight. hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post....truly....and you are right, there are so many suffering out there. As you know, I am living in American Samoa and there are kids starving there all of the time...it is so sad. I like you did not grow up with much but my parents did try to make Christmas special and I truly apprecaite that. Even tho I thought my Christmas was wonderful there were those that were totally spoiled and I felt poor but grateful for what I did have. what a wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written Marydon!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas & Many Blessings!
~Melissa :)
What a wonderful story your brother told, reminding us of the poverty in the world, and our good fortune. He has a great goal for helping others.
ReplyDeleteHi Marydon,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a touching story !! It really reminds us of what truly is important .. there is soo many around the world, that need so much more, and to give to them is so wonderful .. A true story of what Christmas is really about !! Always inspiring from you .. Hope your ready for Christmas and done running about ..
Christmas hugs to you ~
What a beautiful post! Memories can sure be incredible...
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and wishing you a happy and healthy year ahead and a very Merry Christmas!!!
Aimee
Marydon this is just a wonderful memory. Think of it...just an apple. This really makes me think. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI wish for you and your dear family a Merry CHRISTmas my dear and thank you for your sweet friendship.
hugs
Howdy
ReplyDeleteBlessings of joy to you sweetie !
God bless you for sharing the apple story.
What a precious moment we all need to reflect upon .
Thank you for being the blessing that you are to me.
I appreciate your kindness and support more than you'll ever know !
May all your Christmas moments be filled with the Love of God and His never ending grace .
Big hugs to you and yours.
Merry Christmas
Love from Texas
Happy Trails
I love coming to visit you, Marydon. I feel that I've come to the house of a friend. Thanks and blessings and wishes for a joyous Christmas of love and giving.
ReplyDeleteI can't thank you enough for placing my Give Away on your lovely blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this story. It's so easy to get caught up with wanting more and not taking the time to appreciate what we do have and how little others have.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much sweet lady. Not only have you brought a touching and moving story, you have helped me. You helped me to realize what is wrong with Christmas. I know what I can do to fix it though!
ReplyDeleteThank you again!
Good Morning! I am so happy to be visiting and catching up with you again! Loved reading your brother's best Christmas memories and perspective on the holiday.. and found the history behind Rudolph very interesting too! It is just always a pleasure stopping by "your place"!.. I do hope this finds you and yours well, and that you're enjoying all the magic and joy of this holiday season! Merry Christmas Marydon! ~tina
ReplyDeleteWonderful story...thanks so much for sharing....Wishing you and yours the Merriest of Christmas'....blessings...love your new blog.....
ReplyDeleteI can tell from ALL of your blog posts, Marydon, just how much 'giving to others' is INSIDE of your total being. I was in churchwork professionally for many years --so I saw people like you all of my life who gave of themselves constantly to help others in need. Thank God for you --and for others like you, whose lives are spent doing for others. God Bless You.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.
Hugs,
Betsy
That was truely heart touching. Thank you for sharing and making us "think" about what is really important this time of year and always.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Gwen
Marydon,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful blog you have with such inspiring stories. Love it!
Thank you for visiting my blog and becoming a follower. I hope you will visit often.
Merry Christmas! Hugs, Bobbi Jo
Hi Marydon,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully touching post. Thank you for sharing your brother's thoughts and memories with us. I also wanted to take a moment to thank you for always leaving me such sweet and kind comments. They truly mean a lot to me. Thank you kind and dear friend.
Wishing you and all your family a very blessed Christmas.
Hugs and blessings,
♥Ana
What a lovely story! I hope that you and yours have a Very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
ouroldhomestead.blogspot.com
WOW Marydon, what a powerful post! Thank you so much for sharing this. It really puts things into perspective!
ReplyDeleteI hope you and your family have a beautiful Christmas!
Hugs
Amy
Reaching for a tissue, I have to tell you your brother has told an inspirational story from his memories. In my book Christmas isn't Christmas 'till you give it away. The best present ever is the gift of oneself.
ReplyDeleteGod bless and have a wonderful day.
Blessings to you and your family
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Holiday.
Merry Christmas
?´¨)¸.+´¸.•*´¨)¸.+*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.+´??¸.+´
¸.•*´¨)¸.+*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.+´? Heidi ?)
Oh Marydon,
ReplyDeleteAn apple.
At what point do we Americans have enough? We all have an embarrassment of riches!
Your brother sounds like a wonderful guy with his priorities in the right place!
What a wonderful post! Have the happiest of holidays ....
ReplyDeleteOh Marydon...
ReplyDeleteI can see that writing runs in the family. Buck writes as beautifully as you do, and his heart is every bit as big. Oh my, I love this idea of a food bank, and I pray for him that this truly happen. It would be such a wonderful legacy to leave behind.
The one thing I have noticed, is that your Moma may not have had much, but she raised you all to love and to be happy, be strong and find your own way along the road. That is what I find the most wonderful. You give so much of yourself sweet friend. I love your beautiful heart. Thank you for bettering my life by knowing you and allowing me to love you. I will always love you. Always.
All my love forever and to eternity...Country hugs sweetie, Sherry
What a precious post and at the perfect time of year when we are ready to welcome our Savior once again into our hearts on His birthday! Thank you for sharing both your and your brother's memories which are not only dear but so important to us and our world. Thank you so much, dear friend for sharing all. Blessings and BIG HUGS! Coralie
ReplyDeleteYour story touched me and made me stop and think, once again what is Christmas really about. We all get "wrapped" in the commercial world of fluff. Thank you to your brother and you for the gentle reminder of true love in this wonderful season.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the gift of your friendship this year.
Blessings to you and your family.
Kelley
Marydon,
ReplyDeleteI want to thank you for sharing and wish you a Merry Christmas. Our family has been helping another family that has nothing with things needed in everyday life. They had literally nothing. After my husbands parents collected most everything from their home and other family members and friends things needed for everyday living we then worked on some presents for the children. It certainly feels good to help others, I do not know how more are not helped all year round.
Your brother Buck told me just a few hours ago that he could not write. I beg to differ. Great reflection.
ReplyDeleteRandy
We live in the land of plenty and think we need more! more! more!
ReplyDeleteI almost wish we would do away with all the gift giving and learn to give gifts at spur of the moment times throughout the year.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.