The Christmas Tree

When I was a little girl, we were not rich. In fact we were very poor. Regardless of how many bills came through the mail, my mom always found a way to get us a Christmas tree. Now, most of the time it was the ugliest tree on the block and sometimes we had to make our own decorations. I knew that we weren't going to wake up Christmas morning with elaborate gifts under the tree, but the fact that we had a tree allowed us to hold on to the thought that Santa might not forget us that year. Not that he ever did.

 I never understood until later on in life why my mom was so gung ho on finding us a tree. I mean Baby Jesus was born in a manger, not a tree. Why didn't we put up a manger instead? To us it was just a tree for Santa to place gifts under, but to her I think it was simply keeping the spirit alive.

So, after careful research, this is what I found out about the Christmas tree: 

The Christmas tree comes to us from Germany. Martin Luther is credited with being inspired by the starry heavens one night, and expressing his feelings to his family by bringing a fir tree into his home, and attaching lighted candles to its branches. Fir meant fire, and fire is an ancient symbol for spirit. The tree also pointed toward the heavens.

Evergreens were thought to represent the ever-burning fire of life. The color green signified the life force through the year. Eventually decorative balls represented the planets, while the star that radiates from the top reminds us of Bethlehem. The entire tree and decorations teach us that the universe is witness to the Incarnation.

Red at Christmas reminds us of the fire of the Spirit. Green affirms nature, and the ongoing life. And in the Incarnation, Spirit unites with nature.

In fact, the Christmas tree symbolizes to us a further appreciation of Jesus' birth. It is a means of retelling a miracle in a colorful and beautiful way so that we can further understand and appreciate Jesus' entering our world.

 The tree is also a reinterpretation of pagan rites, along with the use of other greens and decorations to commemorate in ancient times a celebration of the feast of Saturnalia - the birth of the Sun in the sky at the Winter Solstice. Along with the giving of gifts, the feast was later Christianized with the selection of December 25th to announce the birth of the Son of God to the world.

The tree also tells the story of a cosmic event - a mystery. In personal celebrations of Christmas the tree begins its use in the 16th century, and is later brought to America by German immigrants.

The heavens and earth rejoice in the coming of the Lord of Life. Our decision must be either for our Christmas tree to represent the celebration of the birth of Christ, or simply an acknowledgment of the pagan festival of the Winter Solstice.

What does the beauty of the Christmas tree say to you?



By the way, my mother now puts up a 10 ft. Christmas tree in the living room and also a small one in the kitchen every year, decorated with ornaments and handmade items made throughout the years by her children and grandchildren. And the room is always filled with presents Christmas morning.

Giving Thanks

Every Thanksgiving we gather at our families homes, even if we don't get along on all the other Thursdays of the year, we indulge in laughter and a feast of Turkey and all the fixings. For many of us, family will come in from out of town and we rave over how much everyone has grown and ending the day with, "We need to get together sooner."
Often at times we get so caught up in our lives that we forget how much we use to want what we now have but take for granted. We've all heard the saying about not knowing how much something means to us until it's gone, but I say "Why wait?" Appreciate what you have while you still have it.

Instead of saying you will get together soon...make a date and stick to it.
Tell your loved ones how thankful you are to have them in your life...you never know when you will get the chance to say it again.
Kiss your children as much as possible and tell them you love them every minute of the day.

I'd like to end this blog post by taking the opportunity to say what I am Thankful for:

My children-(even the irate hormonal teenager and preteen) without them I don't know where I would be. When I felt like giving up, they're the reason I didn't.

My husband-for being my best friend, holding my hand when I was sick, being a loving provider (and a good cook) and loving me and my children unconditionally.

My health- I was diagnosed with cancer last year and have recently had to have a hysterectomy. I am cancer free and I am very thankful for God allowing me many more years with my family.

My parents- for having such an awesome daughter(lol)

My mother in law- for staying up with me and watching Investigation Discovery until 2am. and for raising such a great son.

My friends- I have so many friends that I can not mention you all because it would take a lifetime. I am thankful for everyone of y'all for listening to me complain, helping me move, reading my rough drafts and making memories that are unforgettable.

My career- Writing, designing and working with wonderful authors is more than a dream come true.
And last but not least I am thankful for the Internet for allowing me to reach people all around the world. I'm also thankful for people like you who read my post...and my books.

So for this Thanksgiving, remember, whatever you end up doing or whoever you end up with, be thankful that you have those people in your life. If you don't have anyone or anything be thankful for your eyesight and the ability to read.

Thank You

and

Happy Thanksgiving 

Larry Hyatt

I met Larry Hyatt a few months ago at the Terrebonne Parish Author Day. I was impressed with him as a local radio personality, his writing, and especially impressed with the experience he'd had working in the theater and The Big Read. His thoughtful insights into the challenges of “making it to the top” as we all like to put it. He was also working on a novel, he told me. I was intrigued. That book, How to Reach for the American Dream… (And Not Get It!) is just out and it's my pleasure to welcome Larry Hyatt to my blog.
 
Larry, why did you write fiction instead of non-fiction? Did you feel you had to tell Larry’s story from a different perspective?

Larry Hyatt: It started out as a comedic manual, to explore the things that shape, propel, or make a career come to a screeching halt. The dos and don’ts, if you will. But to span what I’ve done I had to go through many years in my life and it ended up a journey, with an ending, a story, that I feel can strike a cord with anyone who dreams of becoming more from such an early age. I asked the question- Why does one not reach their goal? Can one make mediocrity a success?

Ashleigh: Wow, this is such a profound story. Wondering if you had any fun writing it? Will the reader have any fun reading it?

Larry: Oh, hell I laughed and cried. I’ve written plays and understand even comedy, fiction, and reality, has to reach for emotions to make it work. The brevity of comedy and the more creative license to be eloquent I hope collides to make something that reads well for those that read both… Oh, heck, maybe I shouldn’t have said that. Now I hope it’s eloquent…. I know you’re going to think it’s funny.

Ashleigh: So I can ask: Larry does your life and your novel spring from the same well? Do you still feel like a small fish in a big pond?

 Larry: Well, at this point, I’m glad I have my head above water. I do delve into why one would stay and why one goes to the next rung. I’ve been at the bottom of the food chain and didn’t go hungry. The back of the title…“And not make it,” could be the give-a-way. Or, is it?

Ashleigh: What got you started writing?

Larry: While doing a stint in television I also worked for the Houma Regional Arts Council and was in charge of the Big Read. I read the book for that cycle in case anybody asked me a question. I didn’t want to look like an idiot. “What you give books away and don’t know what you’re handing out?” Then I read the book before that cycle and ended up reading all the Big read titles. I thought then that it was time to finish my manual.

Ashleigh: You've begun writing another book. Right?

Larry: Yes. The working title in Non-Profit. I explore who should get the money and how hard it is to obtain.

Ashleigh: Larry will be hanging around today. I know we have lots of writers out there, so if you questions about how to reach for the American dream, working in theaters and writing realistic fiction. Leave him a comment below.


http://www.amazon.com/How-Reach-American-Dream-Not-ebook/dp/B00FSKCGTU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385047652&sr=8-1&keywords=larry+hyatt

LOL (Laughing Out Loud)

I have a bad habit of drifting off into lala land or better known to me and others as Leigh land. And sometimes inside this wonderful land many things are funny and at times I may release a slight giggle. Like last Wednesday during a PTA meeting. Candace Balcher, a sweet elderly grandma who takes care of her four grandchildren, stood up and asked for votes on a healthier lunch menu. Nothing Funny about that – right? But for ten minutes and I mean a very long ten minutes she shared every detail of her grandchildren’s medical malady, so you could see why my mind went into Leigh land.

Incontinence is a terrible issue facing many seniors, and I know it’s not funny. Only, when I was in Leigh land I only caught the end of the conversation, “having a hard time holding water.” And well it sort of gouged my funny bone. I pressed my lips together and put my head down-pretending to look for something in my purse. The truth was though that laughter bubbled right below the surface and if I looked up, I’d lose it.

There was a heavy silence that followed while Candace awaited for the votes. I kept waiting for someone to say something to get my mind off of bursting into a hysteria—the bubbling laughter kept growing. But the pin dropping silence lingered. Then as I sat there, the inevitlable happened. I felt the dreaded giggle begin to escape. I tried to swallow it. Once. Twice. Okay, at least a dozen times. I was totally winning the battle of control, until Brittney Charp, let out a slight snicker. Once my mind knew that I was not the only one that thought the ending to what Candace was talking about was funny also, tear flowing laughter burst through my innermost being.

I at least tried to cover it up by pretending Britney said something funny, but that didn’t work.  I guess no one bought it, or at least Candace anyway.

“This is a serious issue. We are talking about our children!” Candace scolded.

I placed my head down like a school girl that just got caught talking in the back of the classroom and voted. Once all the votes were cast and the meeting was adjourned, I made a bee line to the nearest exit.

I found out later that she was referring to our children needing more frequent bathroom breaks.

Believe me I know poor Candace’s plight was not funny in the first place. But like I said, when I’m in Leigh land, the stupidest unfunniest things make me laugh. My lack of attention brings out the worst in me.

Moral of the story! It is quite possible that laughter is not the best medicine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c)Ashleigh Blanchard 2013

This is the work of fiction.