Sahm I Am - By Meredith Efken Page 0,34

end of the day, even I didn’t have an appetite! So help me, if he gets sick this weekend…

McKenzie now has a fever and is getting a cough, too. So much for a “happy” Thanksgiving. And we were planning to get our Christmas tree this weekend! Grrrr!

Dulcie

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From:

The Millards

To:

SAHM I Am

Subject:

[SAHM I AM] With grateful hearts…

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Hey, precious people,

I’m practically in tears (again) because of the outpouring of love and concern from you all for Tyler. Thank you, ever so much. Your prayers and encouragement mean so much to our family. I just wanted you to know that yesterday all our relatives arrived, each with a special gift for Tyler. It was like an early Christmas. Everyone pitched in and helped, and their love just permeated the entire day. Tyler told me he was afraid everyone would treat him weird, or be awkward around him. But they were great. They had him laughing and cracking jokes by the end of the day, just like the old Tyler.

I’m not going to say we’re suddenly okay now or comfortable with this new disorder, but I feel much more confident about it. It was like God sent us a huge dose of joy, through each one of you and our family. It was one of the most precious holiday gatherings I can remember. I was wrong—there is MUCH to be thankful for this year.

Love to every single one of you,

Jocelyn

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From:

VIM

To:

Rosalyn Ebberly

Subject:

Christmas plans…

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Hi Sis!

Yeehaw, I’m so glad y’all are coming for Christmas! Mama and Daddy told Frank’s parents all about you, and they are very interested to meet you. Mama and Daddy just LOVE Beppe and Tiziana—they said it was too bad that Chad’s parents are the ones who live in America instead of the Marcellos. They’d gladly see it switched around.

I know you were a mite worried about the cost of presents for everyone, but Frank and I can’t help but go a little overboard this year—since it’s our first Christmas as a family. We know y’all are poor as Job’s turkey, so we thought maybe if you limited it to $40 to $60 per person for each of us it would be easier for you. Nothing fancy. I’m attaching a gift wish list for all of us, and if you might could send me one for your family, well, that would be finer than frog’s hair. I’m expecting you’ll need to buy for about fifteen people, because it looks like Aunt Kris and Uncle Shawn and their kids are coming, too.

Oh, also we’re throwing a huge party—a black-tie affair—for all our friends and adult relatives, so be sure to buy a new formal. Chad can rent a tux here. You’ll need to bring a small gift for each of you to exchange—something in the $20 to $30 range will be fine. Santa’s fixing to be there, and for $20 you can have your picture taken with him. We’re hiring a babysitter for the kids, so you’ll need to chip in for that, too.

Other than that, we just plan to relax and enjoy visiting with each other. Ain’t seen some of y’all in a coon’s age, as we say ’round these parts. Houston has lots of fun stuff to do during Christmas, so we can do as much sightseeing and shopping as we want. There ya go! I can’t hardly wait!

Ronnie

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From:

Rosalyn Ebberly

To:

SAHM I Am

Subject:

[SAHM I AM] TOTW December 6: Simplifying Christmas

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Salutations, Sweet Sisters,

It’s 5:15 a.m. here in Washington, and I’m sitting at my computer with a steaming cup of herbal tea, watching snow falling in the light of the streetlamp. We just put up our Christmas tree this past weekend, and it casts a cheery glow from the living room. I love early mornings—everything is still quiet and calm. It’s a time for reflection, to meditate on all of the Lord’s blessings.

This morning, I’m taking time to appreciate the simplicity of silence, of hot tea, of having time to write an e-mail to my dear friends out there in cyberspace. And I wonder—how can I keep this sense of peace and relaxation throughout the coming holiday season, when so many people are more stressed now than at any other time of the year?

Ladies, the EVILS of commercialism have overtaken our sacred holiday. We have bowed our knees to consumerism, given our hearts to the wicked IDOL of materialism and made a mockery of the blessings of capitalism.