Monday, December 17

At Christmas, Remember...

There are a few people I'd like you to remember this Christmas season. First of all, please remember the Canadian and US troops who are deployed overseas and also those who are in their homeland but away from family and friends. This is a difficult time for them and they need us to remember them in our prayers.



It is very important that we support our troops. Whether you stand behind our governments in their choices is really up to you, but the troops need our love and support.


Other important people to remember are your paper boy/girl/adult and your mailman/lady. These people trudge through rain, sleet, snow, lightning storms, fog and face skunks to get our paper to us on time so we can enjoy it. The least we can do is give them a little something to show we appreciate their service. How about a sampling of your Christmas baking?

Remember the elderly couple next door. Do they need their walk shoveled during the winter? Give them an IOU for snow shoveling. And that single mother down the street who struggles to keep her family together - she would appreciate an IOU for a couple of hours babysitting. Yes, her kids may be a handful, but how do you think she feels coping with them 24/7. Maybe she is just too tired to teach them proper manners. She may be lonely, financially destitute or just plain tuckered out. She would be ecstatic if someone would give her a couple of hours off.

There are dozens of others that I could mention, but these are the ones that I can think of right now. Use your imagination and give the gift of love. ~Blessings, Mary~

30 comments:

  1. My dear, dear blessing of a friend. You truly have a heart filled with Gods love. Thanks for being you. We all need to remember our troops, they are watching over us, and keeping us safe.

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  2. Denise,

    Yes, we do need to remember the troops. There are so many people I have on my heart these days. Troops, friends who are going through a difficult time, neighbors who need God's love and many more.

    Love and blessings,
    Mary

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  3. Great Post Mary..... such a heart you have... I will will make a point to remember these people in my life..... it is good to be reminded... we get so busy this time of year and we need to slow down a bit and remember the things that truly reflect the season...

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  4. Denise,

    You are a dear. Yes, we do get busy and tend to forget those around us that are in need of a gentle word, a heartfelt hug or a prayer. Thanks, my dear friend.

    Love and blessings,
    Mary

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  5. Such great ideas. So thoughtful. I am so far behind, and I just went down and read your anniversary post. I love that your marriage survived the turbulent first few years. Congratulations and Happy Anniversary.

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  6. What a wonderful, thoughtful, and thought provoking post. So many people get overlooked, how nice of you to give this gentle reminder.

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  7. Dawn,

    Thank you so much for your anniversary greetings. Yes, the first seven years were something else, but we've made it. Thinking back, I wonder how. God truly must have had His hand in it.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  8. Lynn,

    Yes, we get so busy that sometimes we forget those who really need a helping hand. IOU's are truly a great gift for things like snow shoveling and babysitting.

    Thanks for dropping by and leaving such kind words.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  9. Thanks for coming by - I'm catching up from 10 days of no visiting. My injuries are much better - the knee not quite as good as the ankle. God truly touched me, because I usually am down for awhile when I do these stupid kinds of things!

    Have a wonderful week!

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  10. Dawn,

    I didn't know that you had injured your knee as well as your ankle. I do hope that you get to enjoy your vacation. Thanks for letting me know. It's very much appreciated.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  11. Wonderful ideas... thanks for the reminder... there are so many people that come into our lives that we tend to forget, but they need to be remembered and reminded that they are loved and cared for...
    thanks again,
    Mimi

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  12. What a perfect way to open my day's blog visiting Mary!!

    I do say I try to send gifts over seas a lot through USO --my family is a strong military family and we've all experienced not having a dad a brother an uncle home for the holidays....it's all important that we remember them...it's rough for so many!! [my brother that was in the Air Force still clings to a yellowed/aged letter he received from a child in school...it was a school project to write to the men overseas] So, see it's a true gift of giving.

    And all the civil service people such as delivery men/women - cops, firemen-security guards...they all put their lives on the line for us, we should remember them!!!

    Awesome post.

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  13. Good Morning Mary,
    This is a beautiful and powerful post. We must always remember the ones who are putting their lives on the line for us. I so appreciate you posting this. If you don't mind, I would like to have a copy of these banners and post them on my blog for tomorrow. I used to work at a Police Department as a Dispatcher. I know all too well what our Policemen, Firemen, and Ambulance Personnel go thru each day. When you let me know about the banners, I want to keep them on my blog till EACH AND EVERYONE OF OUR MEN AND WOMEN are home. Well, take care my friend and have a great Tuesday. May God Bless You and Yours. I have my new post up today with the news.

    Love & Hugs,
    Karen H.

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  14. I do need to remember the post person. We remember the teachers and bus drivers.
    I began my baking yesterday--rum cake and pumpkin bread.
    Today I will probably start with fudge.
    I saw a really cool recipe for flour tortilla snow flakes. I think Julia will enjoy doing this with me.
    I hope you had a great anniversary. That it was romantic and reminded you why you love your man.

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  15. As always, your reminder is timely for all of us. Thank you.
    Hugs and blessings,

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  16. Mary you are one of the most thoughtful people in Blogland!! Powerful post!! Thanks for the reminder!love and hugs, Grams

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  17. Grams,

    Thank you for your kind words. I enjoy thinking of others. It is my forte. I was greatly blessed with the gift of caring.

    Love and blessings,
    Mary

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  18. You're so right! I need to remember to put something out in the mailbox. We don't have a paper carrier.
    I might steal your graphic.
    Mama Bear

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  19. My neighbor comes over and loves on Smokey, feeds him and scoops his litter box whenever we're J & I are both away at the same time. She won't take money, she says she enjoys loving on the cat. I have her some gift certificates, cookie dough and hand towels ready. She's coming over for cake and coffee on Thursday.
    Mama Bear

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  20. Mama Bear,

    You are welcome to the graphic. I found it on Girly Graphics under phrases. I can email you the code if you wish. I was going to do that, but couldn't find an email posted. I do believe I have yours, but am not sure.

    I'm glad you're doing a little something for your neighbor. That is wonderful and she will appreciate the thought.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  21. Excellent reminders Mary!

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  22. Amen to everything you said Mary. Great lady with a big heart. Go out and make someones day a little brighter. Just saying Thank you is a big one. I don't think people say Thank You enough..Also visiting a Nursing home even if you don't know any one...these people love the attention. I know I do it every Monday. They love to have a hug or just say Hi how are you today,God bless you. I've been making cinnamon rolls for all the neighbors and friends. God bless you for a great post.

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  23. Hi Mary,
    Important and timely reminders (not just at Christmas but throughout the year)
    Your kind and loving heart always shines through your posts.
    xo

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  24. So many of my friends boys, and my sons friends have joined the Canadian forces that it is hard to go through this holiday season.

    I support our troops 100%, might not support our government that much, but our boys overseas are another matter.

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  25. Nice post. I also want to wish you and your husband a very happy anniversary!

    Katherine

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  26. Thank you, Edge of Design

    Glo,

    Visiting a nursing home is a great way to make someone's life a little brighter. I worked in nursing homes and know that some of the people there have no one that comes on a regular basis.

    Thank you, Susie.

    Jackie,

    I have sent out lots of cards and letters to troops in both the Canadian and US military. I do hope they bring a little light to those who are away from home at this time of year.

    Yellow Rose Arbor,

    Thank you for the anniverary well-wishes. We had a nice day and are looking forward to our vacation which is birthdays, anniversary and Christmas all rolled into one.

    Blessings to all of you ladies for your kind comments and loving support. I value each of you.

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  27. Mary,

    A beautiful post from a beautiful heart! Thank you for the reminder. Enjoy sunny Florida!

    Blessings and love,

    Renie

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  28. Renie,

    A beautiful comment from a lady with a beautiful heart. You are such a dear friend. Thank you so much.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  29. My heart always goes out to our troops and their families who can't be together for Christmas. I pray for them every day. It's funny you should mention giving a little something to the newspaper girl/boy...just yesterday I gave cards and gift certificates to both of our carriers:-) I wish everyone had a big heart like you, dear Mary!! xoxo

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  30. Pea,

    Congratulations on remembering those who have given you good service throughout the year. They deserve a little something.

    When Brandon had his paper route, all of the people were so good to him. He was ecstatic everytime he got a tip because it told him he was doing a good job.

    Take care and have a very Merry Christmas, my friend.

    Blessings and hugs,
    mary

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