by Joanne Wiklund
When I was very little we lived in Des Moines. Relatives there I only knew a short time. We moved often so Dad could find work. My great Aunt Rose had a lovely home. However, her husband was dying and we spent a lot of time there. At the foot of the stairs, a tall grandfather clock tolled the hours.
While Uncle Oscar was in his bedroom upstairs, I wanted to be where Mom was. But she was helping care for him. So I sat in front of that clock and listened to it. A while later we were there because he was gone. Aunt Rose took me upstairs to his bedroom where the bed was empty. On the pillow was a pretty porcelain doll with eyes that moved. She let me hold the doll on the bed while she dusted the room.
That became our routine when we went there. She dusted and I loved the doll. At Christmas that year the weather was unusual, sun shining, fifty degrees plus. I remember sitting without a coat, on the little step at the end of the sidewalk in front of the house. I talked with neighbors who went by and waved at cars who honked at me. I was so proud and wanted everyone to see my best Christmas present ever, a porcelain doll with big blue moveable eyes and a smile on her face. Mine too.
My prayer for you this Christmas Day is that you have new surprises and a new appreciation for what the word gift means. God’s gift to us, His Son Jesus Christ, really is the best gift ever. May His love and caring cover us and truly bring Peace To All.
Matthew 23:35-40 “Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Jesus a question, tempting him and saying, 36. Master which is the greatest commandment in the law? 37. Jesus said to him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38. This is the first and great commandment. 39. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”