A Christmas Angel

A knock came at the door. Who could it be? I had to get to work and had less than an hour to be there. I had worked overtime the night before and had only had about four hours sleep. I'd set the alarm and when it went off, I had groaned, but got up and headed for the shower. Just as I finished dressing, the knock sounded. I opened the door to see an old man, dressed in a heavy houndstooth coat standing on my step. Though the snow was deep, he wore only a pair of beat-up running shoes.

"May I help you?" I asked a little impatiently.

"I was wondering if you had a little something that you could spare me to eat," he said, "and maybe a hot cup of tea or coffee?"

I sighed. I didn't have time for this. But as I looked at this poor soul shivering in the cold, I couldn't refuse him. Though my daughter and I had little food in the house, I said, "I don't have much, but I can make you some toast and peanut butter and a warm cup of tea."

"That would be great," he said, rubbing his hands together and blowing on them to try to get them warm.

I wasn't going to let this stranger into my house. I didn't know him and he was a tall man, probably about 6' 2" and his hands were huge. He had a stocky build and I knew that if he wanted to, he could knock me down in an instant. Yet he had the most kind, blue eyes - so blue that it seemed I could look into the depths of his soul.

"Do you mind waiting here?" I asked.

"Not at all," he answered. "Thank you."

I made the man four slices of toast and spread them thickly with peanut butter while the tea was brewing in the pot. I put the food on a paper plate and poured the strong amber tea into a cup. I took them to the step where the man stood and handed the food and tea to him.

"Thanks kindly, Maam," he said.

I went back into the house and went about my business. Before long, I decided to check to see if the man had finished the food and tea. He had, so I poured him another cup of tea and asked him if he could use a warm pair of gloves. I had a pair that had belonged to my late husband and knew that they weren't doing anyone any good on the shelf in the closet. I also took him a pair of work boots that had been my husband's.

As I handed the man the boots and gloves, tears welled in his rheumy eyes. "Are you sure, Maam?" he asked.

"Most definitely," I assured him.

The man sat down on the step and placed the boots on his feet. A perfect fit. Then he pulled the gloves onto his beet-red hands. They also fit perfectly.

I walked into the house and remembered that I had some cookies and a cake in the freezer. I grabbed them and ran out of the house to give them to him. He was nowhere in sight.

We lived in the middle of the block. A church was on one side and a power transformer on the other. I ran to the corner and looked up and down the street. Nothing. I ran around the corner to the church. Again there was no one in sight. Where could he have gone? He hadn't had time to get far enough away that I couldn't see him. How strange!

A week later on Christmas Eve, a taxi pulled up to my door. The driver brought in two large boxes of food. There was everything in those boxes for a Christmas dinner. A turkey, stuffing, bread, butter, potatoes, cranberries, vegetables, candy, cookies and so much more. Who in the world had been so generous?

I asked the cab driver who had sent the boxes, but he said he didn't know. He had been called to a local grocery store and a man had asked him to deliver the boxes to my address. The man hadn't given him a name and the cab driver really didn't understand it. "He looked like a street person," he told me.

As I put the food away, I remembered something that Grandma had told me. "Always be kind to strangers, as you may be entertaining angels unaware."

As I thought of my grandmother's words, shivers ran along my spine. Had the old man been an angel? I believe he was. Whether a heavenly angel in disguise or an earthly angel, he provided our family with a wonderful Christmas feast.

As Christmas approaches each year, I think about my Christmas angel and wonder where he is and who he's helping this year. I certainly hope that whoever it is appreciates his gift as much as my daughter and I did so many years ago.

If you would like to read my story, Bringing Home the Tree, I have posted it on my Treasures to Me blog. Just click on the link to visit.

Merry Christmas to all of my friends and visitors. May the Light of Christmas shine brightly in your hearts and home this Christmas season. ~Blessings, Mary~

Show and Tell Friday

Boy, Friday seems to be coming around faster each week. Next week at this time, we will be on our way to Florida. Please pray that the weather holds out for us to get into the southern US. Last time we went, we were three hours aways from home and hit a huge snowstorm. I75 was closed by the time we reached Monroe, Michigan. I would rather not drive in those conditions with the boys in the van, so prayers would be much appreciated.

Now, on with Show and Tell, which is hosted by Kelli at There is No Place Like Home. If you would like to participate, please visit her blog for more information.

Earlier in the week I showed you some things my hubby bought me. Today I'd like to show and tell you about some Christmas decorations that are precious to me. They are all part of my Christmas village.

First is the Santa Claus that Brandon and Jordan gave me about seven years ago. I love him and he is so much more precious because the boys made him with a little help from Mom. Remember they would have been only 5 and 3 years old. They did a great job.

Next is the red barn that Mom gave to me three years ago. Being a farm girl, she thought it would add a unique twist to my village and so it does. I love it.

Beside the barn sits a windmill and just near it, drinking from the creek is a doe and a fawn, which was given to me by the boys.

Then there's the farm house. Mom made this when she was into ceramics and she did a great job. It will always be a part of Christmas for me.

A village just wouldn't be the same without a train. This is one that Dwight's mother gave to us the first year we were married. The boys both love trains and this is a special piece to all of us.

Then there is the Post Office and the Carriage Maker building that Dwight gave to me a few years ago. They are an integral part of an old fashioned village.

The snow couple beside the Post Office was another gift from the boys. Don't they look happy while strolling along in the snow?

Santa has been talking to the kids outside of the Carriage Maker's shop. He is bald. hehe. I guess he forgot his hat. I hope he doesn't catch cold. Who would deliver all of the presents on Christmas Eve if Santa got sick?

Above is the entire village lit up at night. That is a Santa in the window, but I have him facing onto the street. He lights up as well and I have no way of hiding the cord. Notice the stone bridge across the stream just to the right of the barn. The boys wanted a creek in the village three years ago, so I went to the dollar store and bought some turquoise tissue paper. I cut it and we lay it under the snow. It looks very authentic. You can see it in a couple of the photos above. Right behind the Post Office and in front of the train. How lovely that the train runs along the creek. Now all I need to do is find some skaters.

Believe it or not, Brandon and Jordan put this all together. Grandpa and I unpacked the village and the boys set it up. Then Grandpa plugged in all the buildings. This is a Christmas tradition at our house. The boys always set up the village after Grandma places the snow and the creek.

It was lots of fun watching the boys rediscover each new piece. There is a church that goes with the village, but so far we haven't come across it this year. I'm going to have to dig deeper into the closet where I keep all of the Christmas decorations. Brandon really wants the church to be a part of the village since we aren't having a Christmas tree this year.

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the very special Christmas decorations that I've collected over the years. It just wouldn't be Christmas without them.

Thank you for stopping by. May the Light of Christmas shine in your homes and your hearts this holiday season. ~Blessings, Mary~

Christmas Surprise!

Hubby and I agreed there would be no Christmas gifts to each other this year. After all, we are going on a wonderful vacation with our grandsons. It was to be birthdays, anniversary and Christmas gifts all rolled into one. I should have known better. Hubby sees these little things that he knows I love and brings them home to me. I'm not complaining, but an agreement is an agreement. I didn't buy him anything for Christmas because... well, that was the agreement.

Yesterday we had doctor's appointments. We both have the same doctor and since he is in a rural area, about a twenty minute drive from here, we almost always go together. This saves gas and allows me to keep up on hubby's health. Did you know a doctor can't divulge anything in a medical record without permission, not even to a spouse?

Anyway, we were both fine, except for my ear infection. Our blood pressure and all that tricky stuff was all under control. So, after making an appointment for six weeks, we left and headed home. On the way is this little store that always has the most wonderful things all year 'round. Hubby pulled into the driveway and we headed inside to look around. Their Christmas decorations and ornaments are always beautiful and reasonably priced. I buy many gifts at this store.

Well, lo and behold there are Santas galore, (Anni, you would have loved it) snowmen, snowladies, Christmas bears, reindeer and every other Christmas decoration you would ever imagine. They had yule logs with cardinals that were tealight holders. Near the back of the store we found a shelf of Christmas angels and fairies. These are some of my favorite things and hubby knows it.

Here is what he got me. She is divine. Another to add to my collection of very special angels.

Isn't she both beautiful and unique? I must put the year on the bottom so I can remember exactly when hubby gave her to me. She is polyresin, but looks just like wood, even when you are up close. The bottom of her skirt, her neckline and cuffs look exactly like tree bark. She is holding a birdhouse in one hand and a cardinal in the other. Hubby also knows I love cardinals and birdhouses. So he made a very good choice. I'm delighted with her and gave him a big kiss.

He also bought me a snowman. In fact, he bought four of these. One for my daughter and my mother and two for me. They are beautiful also.

Can you see the sparkles on the hat and the ends of the scarf? They will look lovely on my Christmas tree next year. Since we didn't put one up this year, I hung Frosty from the doorway. He looks pretty good there.

Mom loved hers. We gave it to her early as we won't be at her house this year when she has Christmas dinner. She always has her big dinner near New Years so all of the kids and grandkids can go to their relatives on the opposite side of the family for Christmas Day. She is a special lady.

I wish all of my friends and readers a safe and Merry Christmas. May the Light of Christmas shine in your hearts and in your homes. ~Blessings, Mary~

Prayers Needed

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Once again, I request prayer for several people. There seems to be so much need at this time of year. Some are alone and have no family and or friends. Some are financially destitute and don't know how they are going to get their kids anything for Christmas. People are living on the streets in the bitter cold and are not sure if they will survive until morning when the temperatures dip. In my part of the country there is lots of snow and yes, they can dig a snow cave or tunnel into the drifts to keep warm, but it is still very scary to be living outside in winter.

As per yesterday's post, please remember to pray for both US and Canadian troops who are overseas or who are in their homeland but will not be able to be home for Christmas. Our men and women in uniform need our prayers constantly, so please add them to your prayer list.

Those that I know personally who need prayer are as follows:

My mother, who is still fighting the lung infection she's had for months. Nothing seems to be touching it. She's had antibiotics and inhalers. She gets a little better and then gets worse again. She can no longer take the new inhaler, as she had an allergic reaction to it, or so thinks the pharmacist.

My daughter, who just found out she has a cyst in her cervix or on an ovary. She's not sure and has to go for an ultra sound on Thursday. She's been having a lot of pain.

Kathleen Marie at The Open Window Kathleen hasn't been feeling well.

Deena at Can I Be Pretty in Pink? Deena had surgery last week for breast cancer. She will soon be giving us the reports from her lab work. Please stop by and say hi.

Deena's friend, Church, who kept us all updated when Deena had her surgery is also in need of prayer. Church's mother passed away on Saturday evening.

Mary at Isabella's Closet Mary is going through a difficult time right now. Please lift her up in prayer.

Karen at Karen's Korner Our prayers from a day or so ago were answered. Karen's husband did find a job, but please continue to pray for her family. Her husband will start his new job in the New Year. This has been a tough year for this family.

Cynthia at Walking On Cynthia is struggling with some issues right now. Read more on her blog.

Diane at Diane's Place Karen at Karen's Korner had posted that Diane was ill. I visited her blog and she is not feeling well at all. Her granddaughter Emmy had been sick and apparently Emmy passed it on to Grandma. That happens when you have grandchildren. I will pray that both Diane and Emmy recuperate fully so they can enjoy Christmas together.

Naturegirl at Nature Trail She had a fall and now has a cast. She is finding it difficult to move around on crutches.

Glo at Young at Heart is requesting prayer for Brandi's kidneys to begin working on their own. She lost a long time family friend today and has requested prayer for Sarah's family. Visit Glo's blog to find out more.

My friend, Bertha,s mother-in-law. I asked for prayer for her back a while because she had been taken to hospital. They had called the family together. Now, she is having trouble swallowing.

I would also like to ask for prayer for myself. I have water on the ear and a badly infected right ear. This has been a problem for me for many years and sometimes I get it so bad that I can't walk straight - you know that old equalibrium. I don't need this with Christmas and our vacation coming up. If I can't go two little boys are going to be extremely disappointed.

Thanks so much for including the above people in your prayers. If I've forgotten anyone, I apologize. My prayer list is very long right now and I try to remember everyone. If you'd like to be put on my prayer list, just let me know. ~Blessings, Mary~

It's Kelly's Birthday. Kelly's blog is Diary of a Caregiver. Please drop by and wish her a Happy Birthday. Kelly is Carolyn at Talk to Grams, daughter. Happy Birthday, Kelly. You are a wonderful daughter. Enjoy!

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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~

Memory Verse Monday

It's Memory Verse Monday and Karen at Karen's Ramblings is our host. If you would like to participate, just follow the link to find out how.

It's been a couple of weeks since I took part in Memory Verse Monday. I'm still working on the last one, which was Luke 1:37 - For with God nothing shall be impossible. I've found this verse to be working in my life.

This week, God laid it on my heart to memorize this verse: 1 Corinthians 13:13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

This verse has always been working in my life. Love is a great thing and I've been truly blessed with the love of many online friends lately. Some need prayer for health issues. Some need prayer for depression and some are finding that their faith is in question. I hold all of these friends up in prayer and ask you to do the same.

Here is a list of people who I ask you to lift up in prayer.

Denise at Shortybear's Place. She is undergoing some great health issues at present.

Mary at Isabella's Closet. She is in need of being lifted up to God in a special way.

Deena at Can I Be Pretty in Pink. Deena had surgery for breast cancer last Wednesday and is in need of healing. She is home and resting.

Karen at Karen's Korner. She is in need of prayer for her financial situation and for her husband to remain safe. He is a truck driver and needs protection in inclement weather.

Please add these wonderful ladies to your prayer list. For with the love and prayer of friends and by keeping their eyes on God, all of their needs will be fulfilled.

Today is my husband's and my anniversary. We have been married for 19 years. On December 17, 1988 at 3 pm, we exchanged vows in my mother's living room in front of the fireplace. Just as the ceremony was over, it began to snow. We stayed a while and mingled with family and friends and then headed to Niagara Falls for the weekend.

The further we traveled, the more snow we were seeing. We finally arrived in Niagara Falls and the snow stopped for a bit. We decided (foolish as we were) to drive to Niagara-On-the-Lake. We went there and enjoyed a lovely dinner. When we stepped out of the restaurant, the snow was falling rapidly.

As we headed back toward Niagara Falls, we came to a bend in the road at Queenston Heights. Hubby applied the brake a little too hard and the next thing we knew we had slid into the ditch and knocked down a steel street sign. What a mess! No one was hurt except the sign and it could be replaced. We were very lucky.

Today I believe this was a sign that our marriage would be stormy. For the first seven years it was a constant battle ground. Now, after 19 years, we very seldom speak a harsh word to each other and if one does, the other ignores it, as we know it's just stress and the world closing in on us. How far we've come from those first days, which proves that love can overcome obstacles if you only give it a chance.

Thank you to all my wonderful friends who have taken time to post and send anniversary messages. You love and thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. The ecards we received were all lovely and hubby couldn't believe that so many people he didn't know would take time out of their busy lives at this time of year to do that. Thanks to all of you for showing us such love and support. ~Blessings, Mary~

Green Thumb Sunday, Snow and Kind Deeds

It's Green Thumb Sunday, hosted by Tricia at As the Garden Grows. If you'd like to participate, just click on the link to find out how.

Since the world is white outside and there is no green to be seen, I'm going to show you the spider plant that Brandon gave me for my birthday in October. He planted it in a cat planter. When I received it, there were just five little leaves. It has grown a lot since then and has even had a baby. Spider plants are one thing I can grow and this one is so different from others I've had. Usually the leaves are variegated green and white. This one is all green. He started it from a cutting of one of his mother's plants. I love it! Not only is it pretty, but it was started and grown with love. These are the kind of gifts that are special to me - ones that are given from the heart.

This morning I took Meeko for his walk. Thank goodness he King of the snow dogs. When we set out, he dug in his back end and pulled me. I let him. I think it is natural instinct that when it snows, he wants to pull. Though I had to step-lively to keep up, I had no trouble navigating the snow. He made the track and pulled me along. He loved it and I had a much easier time.

Lots of snow has fallen since yesterday. The weatherman said it wouldn't start snowing until 7 am, however there was sleet from 1 am to 7 am, when it turned to snow. It was to stop by 1 pm, but here it is almost 3 pm and it is still coming down. It is a fine snow but is accumulating very quickly. Here are a few photos for everyone who lives in areas where snow doesn't fall. Enjoy!

Above is a photo of our driveway and part of the side year. There is quite a bit of snow there.

Above photo is of our side year and our little ornamental cherry tree.


And Meeko, King of the Snow Dogs. Guess I wore him out when he was pulling me along on our walk. He is ready for a nap now and so am I.

This is the street at the side of our house. You can see the snow piled at the corner. The neighbor's cedar hedgerow is laden with snow today and looks so pretty all dressed in a lacey white gown.

This is the front steps. You can get an idea of how much snow we have from this photo and it is still snowing.

When Meeko and I got home from our walk, I got out the shovel. Neither me nor hubby is supposed to shovel any snow. Hubby because of his heart (he does it all the time and it frightens me) and myself because of my spinal injury. Of course I'd rather do it than let hubby, so I stared to clear the side stairs. We live on a hill, so there are steps at both the side and the front. We also live on a corner, which gives us a LOT more to shovel.

I had just got the side stairs cleared and a young man came along on his bicycle. He asked me if I would like some help. He cleared to the corner in no time. I told him if he would finish the job, I would pay him. He was happy to do that.

When he was done, I took out $15 and gave it to him. He hadn't asked to be paid, just offered to clear the walks. You'd have thought I'd given him a million dollars. His face lit up like a Christmas tree. I asked him where he lived and he told me. He also told me he was 16. Come to find out that two years ago, he and his friend had shoveled our walk for us a few times during the winter. He has grown and changed so much that I didn't know him. Thank you, Shaune for your kind deed. Your kindness meant a lot to us. You are a wonderful young man.

The above graphic is one of my Christmas postcards from my collection. This one is for Anni, but anyone that would like a copy is more than welcome to help themselves. May the Light of Christmas shine in your hearts and home. ~Blessings, Mary~