During my time off this week, it brings to mind things that I am thankful for. Things and people that have been a large reason in explaining who I am. In large part, my mother, father and siblings help make me the person I am today.
All of us have family and it is an easy thing to be thankful for. For me, being the second youngest of seven children allowed me to watch the older ones. Learning by their failures or success is something that I did all along. Through the death of a sister, to all of the many things that happen within a family, each of us have stuck together.
My parents are well into retirement and enjoying their lives and life together the way they want. As parents, I'm sure they understand how much they've meant to all of us kids but we'll never feel thankful enough. Not perfect parents but perfect for me as I've come to understand that we do the best we can in raising children and in living our lives.
To my sister and brothers, thank you for helping me through many of the tough times that I've had. It was with your support that really pulled me through those times. I'll always be one to give credit to each of you for helping form the person that I am now. As I go through my life, remembering each of you with gratitude and love will always remain.
To my readers, in some form you each have a family that raised you. There are many different stories, many different types and many levels of satisfaction with ones family. Yet you should find it in your heart to remember family at this time of year. Be safe and healthy during the holiday celebrations.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Monday, December 25, 2006
Christmas
All of us have our favorite Christmas hymns, this is mine. Have a wonderful and safe holiday.
O Holy Night - J.S.Dwight & A.C.Adam, 19th Century
O holy night,
the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of
our dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world
in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared
and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope,
the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks
a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees,
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night,
O night divine!
Led by the light
of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts
by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star
sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men
from Orient land.
The King of Kings
lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials
born to be our Friend!
He knows our need,
To our weakness no stranger;
Behold your King!
Before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! your King!
before Him bend.
Truly He taught us
to love one another;
His law is love and
His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break
for the slave is our brother
And in His name
all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in
grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us
praise His holy name!
Christ is the Lord,
Oh praise His name forever,
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim
His pow'r and glory
evermore proclaim.
O Holy Night - J.S.Dwight & A.C.Adam, 19th Century
O holy night,
the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of
our dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world
in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared
and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope,
the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks
a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees,
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night,
O night divine!
Led by the light
of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts
by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star
sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men
from Orient land.
The King of Kings
lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials
born to be our Friend!
He knows our need,
To our weakness no stranger;
Behold your King!
Before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! your King!
before Him bend.
Truly He taught us
to love one another;
His law is love and
His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break
for the slave is our brother
And in His name
all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in
grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us
praise His holy name!
Christ is the Lord,
Oh praise His name forever,
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim
His pow'r and glory
evermore proclaim.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Merry Christmas
“Somehow, not only for Christmas but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing the poor and lonely and sad, the more of your heart's possessing returns to you glad.” - John Greenleaf Whittier
For anyone celebrating this time of year, all the best to you, your families and friends. It will be a chance to renew yourself, to let the worry and stress of life be set aside for a short while. Let your world relax for a few moments.
- Afrikaans - Gesëende Kersfees
- Czech - Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
- Danish - Glædelig Jul
- English - Merry Christmas
- Esperanto - Gajan Kristnaskon
- Finnish - Hyvää Joulua
- French - Joyeux Noël
- German - Froehliche Weihnachten
- Greek - Kala Christouyenna
- Hawaiian - Mele Kalikimaka
- Irish Nollaig - Shona Dhuit
- Italian - Buon Natale or Buone Feste Natalizie
- Japanese - Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
- Korean - Sung Tan Chuk Ha
- Latin - Natale hilare
- Lithuanian - Linksmu Kaledu
- Norwegian - God Jul
- Polish - Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
- Portuguese - Feliz Natal
- Russian - Srozhdestovm Kristovim
- Spanish - Feliz Navidad
- Swahili - Kuwa na Krismasi njema
- Tagalog - Maligayang Pasko
- Thai - Suksun Wan Christmas
- Vietnamese - Chuc Mung Giang Sinh
- Welsh - Nadolig Llawen
Saturday, December 23, 2006
7 Minutes
Coming up, the day before Christmas. I've taken the past week off to prepare for the holiday season. I have also been finishing up work for different customers before many take off for their own holiday.
In these final days of 2006, my family and I have been blessed. We in turn have taken our good fortune and passed it on to others. Since it has been seven days off from writing, consider it my '7 Minutes' of reflection that I've written about before.
The seven days have been busy and full of figuring out how to help others. It has also been a week of passing on to our children, family and friends. The whole holiday season is one that you can use to bless others which in turn will be returned to you in time.
There will be periodic writings over the next week or so as I prepare for the new year. It will give me time to continue reflection and focus on my wife and family. Take time yourself to do the same, please come back to read more. Tell those that you think may benefit to come back and read. It only takes seven minutes of your time, '7 Minutes' of reflection to take your life to a whole new level.
In these final days of 2006, my family and I have been blessed. We in turn have taken our good fortune and passed it on to others. Since it has been seven days off from writing, consider it my '7 Minutes' of reflection that I've written about before.
The seven days have been busy and full of figuring out how to help others. It has also been a week of passing on to our children, family and friends. The whole holiday season is one that you can use to bless others which in turn will be returned to you in time.
There will be periodic writings over the next week or so as I prepare for the new year. It will give me time to continue reflection and focus on my wife and family. Take time yourself to do the same, please come back to read more. Tell those that you think may benefit to come back and read. It only takes seven minutes of your time, '7 Minutes' of reflection to take your life to a whole new level.
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