December 11: Getting Christmas Cards, Ted Kooser, "Christmas Mail"

I am probably one of the few people in the world who enjoys sending and receiving Christmas cards.  One of the greatest joys of this season is going home at the end of the day and checking the mail.  Usually, there's one or two envelopes from relatives and friends whom I haven't seen all year long.  For a few moments, I think of those people--a good memory of a good time--and then I say a little prayer for them.  That's a Christmas tradition of mine.

So, let Saint Marty know if you want to be on his Christmas Card list.  He has some extra room.

Christmas Mail

by:  Ted Kooser

Cards in each mailbox,

angel, manger, star and lamb,

as the rural carrier,

driving the snowy roads,

hears from her bundles

the plaintive bleating of sheep,

the shuffle of sandals,

the clopping of camels.

At stop after stop,

she opens the little tin door

and places deep in the shadows

the shepherds and wise men,

the donkeys lank and weary,

the cow who chews and muses.

And from her Styrofoam cup,

white as a star and perched

on the dashboard, leading her

ever into the distance,

there is a hint of hazelnut,

and then a touch of myrrh.

March 18: The Crickets, a Fire, Prayer for a Friend's Daughter

The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever.  Even on the most beautiful days of the whole year--the days when summer is changing into fall--the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change.

Charlotte's Web is about sadness and change.  As the summer comes to an end, the threat to Wilbur's life is serious.  If Charlotte's plan doesn't work soon, Wilbur will be bacon by Thanksgiving.  The approach of autumn means a life and death struggle on the Zuckerman farm.

Last week, a good friend's daughter suffered a terrible loss.  In the middle of last Wednesday night, her house was completely destroyed by a fire.  She lost everything, including three cherished pets.  On Thursday morning, a bulldozer took down what was left of her home.  She has no clothes, no car, no shoes.  Nothing.  Her life is all sadness and change.

I'm asking you to say a little prayer for my friend's daughter.  Of course, the community is rallying around her.  Bringing her clothing and food and money.  But she is heartbroken and needs to be lifted up.  The material loss is nothing compared to emotional and spiritual loss.

So, as you finish reading this post, say a few words to God for her, if you're a praying person.  If not, send some positive thoughts her way.  Surround her with every kind of goodness.

Saint Marty has faith in you.

Fold your hands for my friend's daugfhter

November 22: Come to Dinner, Turkey Trot, Happy Thanksgiving

"It's I.  Your Uncle Scrooge.  I have come to dinner.  Will you let me in, Fred?"

One of the last stops Scrooge makes on Christmas Day is his nephew Fred's home.  Scrooge isn't sure whether Fred will welcome him or not.  The day before, Scrooge made it very clear to Fred that he had no intention of attending Fred's Christmas party.  The redeemed Scrooge craves the company and love of his only blood relative.  He wants to share the holiday with his nephew and niece.  Break bread with them.  Give thanks for his second chance.

Today, it is Thanksgiving Day in the United States.  It's a day when families sit down to turkey dinners and count their blessings.  I have two Thanksgiving dinners to attend.  One at my parents' house.  One at my wife's sister's house.  That's a lot of turkey and mashed potatoes and pecan pie.  There's not very many holidays during the year that focus on thanks.  Halloween has costumes and candy.  Christmas has presents and cookies.  Valentine's Day has hearts and chocolates.  Easter has hard-boiled eggs and baked ham.

Thanksgiving has food, too.  A lot of food.  But, above all, this day is a reminder to stop, think about all the abundance of love in your life, and say a little prayer of thanks to God.

One of my personal traditions on Thanksgiving morning is running a 10K race.  I have participated in the Turkey Trot for the past six or so years.  I started with the 5K and graduated to 10K a few years ago.  I was a little worried this year because I haven't been running a whole lot recently.  I thought I was going to be sucking wind by the first half mile.  Instead, I had a great time.  The weather was perfect, almost fifty degrees.  I ran the entire race with one of my best friends, and I didn't struggle at all.  In fact, I felt like I could have run another 6.2 miles when I crossed the finish line.

I give thanks for a great race this morning.  I give thanks for my wife being at the finish line, cheering me on.  I give thanks for my son, standing next to me right now, saying over and over, "Are you almost done with the iPad?  Are you almost done?  Are you almost done?"  I give thanks for turkey.  I give thanks for family.  I give thanks for love.  I give thanks for each and every blessing in my life.  Small and large.

Even if you aren't from the United States, take a few moments today to give thanks.  You won't regret it.

Saint Marty wishes everyone a "Happy Thanksgiving."

Saint Marty gives thanks for Turkey Trot friends