What does Christmas mean?

This Christmas is a bit of a milestone for Bob and me.  We met each other in June of 1994.  It was one of those unbelievable 'love stories' that always brings a smile to us when recollecting our memories with each other... or as we share our tale with new people; of how we met, fell in love and married in just over 1 year.

Bob, as many of you know quite well, is always handy to have around.  His gift to all that he loves, is his willingness to help others no matter how big of the job or how inconvenient the request!  Sharing his many talents, such as painting an entire house (not just one room... but yes, an entire house) "in his spare time" or offering to cut the grass for a neighbor that is temporarily out of commission for 3 weeks when he has very little time to cut his own are just 2 examples of how big of a heart Bob truely has!

Over many years, I've watched how "able" Bob is in times of need; when others really needed an extra hand to do things that seem to be so "effortless" for him when it's really quite taxing... and how he never complains or dissapoints those around him that rely on his strength, willpower and attention to detail that means the job will get done well and done "right".

I first saw these superb qualities in Bob as the "UPS Guy".  He always "delivered" with a smile in his heart and a quick pace in his step.  Bob will always put others before himself and even if it means being sleep-deprived.... it's more important to Bob to share his gift of "giving" rather than to get the 3 hours of sleep that he's missing when doing for others instead of "doing for himself."

Since our first Christmas together; Bob has been blessing me with an abundance of gifts... both of the material and spiritual kind.  Those that have visited our house at Christmas look in awe at the display of gifts under the tree... which only are a physical token of the overabundance of love that is bestowed by God through Bob.  It is in this "giving" that Bob shows his true heart and all that he is willing to share with the ones that he loves the deepest.

When Bob and I were dating; I was bestowed with not one diamond at Christmas ...(we were engaged Christmas Eve) ... but two!  Bob had decided to surpise me on that same Christmas morning with something very unexpected.  He had taken a very special "stone" out of his own ring, (that he had been wearing everyday for years as a gift from a family member) and had it re-designed into a delicate golden heart with a simple setting- the diamond out of his own ring in the center.

I was speachless.  As if getting engaged the night before wasn't enough, Bob gave me yet another diamond the next day to show his overabundance of love for me.  It is in the moments like these that we truely understand the love that God has for all of us that are willing to share their love with Him.  We can never "outgive" God.  The blessings are too numerous to count.  We simply must acknowledge the gifts of love that God shares with us in the way that I look to Bob and realize that it will never be "too much".  Love shared with family is endless and abundant in my house and on the eve of Christmas Spirit; I wish for all of you to hold love and joy abundantly in your hearts as well.

When you take the time to consider how in the everyday little moments that God's presence and care is evident, it's amazing what details are put into place for you to reflect back on and see His plan for you. It can be revealed for instance at a time when you discover that you've missed being involved in a traffic accident because you decided to switch the load of dishes before leaving the house. Or, in my case, when you've suddenly landed the "dream job" you've aspired to be involved with after 6 years of waiting; then finding the economy less favorable during this time, and losing the job due to lay-offs for the second time (different sales positions)in the same year.

When I found myself unemployed, again, I wasn't sure how difficult it would be to find a suitable job with hours and pay that would get Bob and I through the "rough times" until things improved with the economy. The goal was to have a bit more "cushion" with our combined earnings to pay bills and worry less about the tight budget allowed for basic things like groceries weekly and fuel. I was willing to find a retail job just for the holidays, hoping that the long hours and minimum wages would be enough until the New Year.

Surprisingly, at this same time Bob and I found that we were going to be "new parents" again. Bob's mom, Cathy had adopted a "Westie-poo" last March and in the past 8 mos. of caring for the young puppy, "Buddy", had found that she is allergic to his saliva. Testing had confirmed the allergic reaction that she was experiencing as a serious rash spread all over her limbs and face; anywhere that would come into contact by "Buddy's" lavish kisses and love.

So, rather than leave "Buddy" at a pound, Cathy requested for us to adopt him and keep the little sweetie in the family. We agreed, and have been delighted by the little guy. He's 10 mos old and for a puppy, very well behaved overall. He's quickly been picking up on the manners that we want to encourage, although Bob seems to be a little more lenient with the "house rules" than his mommy! And I, have been very happy being the "stay at home mom" over the past two weeks, getting "Buddy's behavior in tip-top shape hopefully before the holidays. He's become so much more independent in the past few days than when he first arrived and wouldn't leave my lap for hours. I actually developed a terrible fatigue in my right arm from supporting his little body in my lap for days on end. I can't imagine the strain it must be for cradling any baby over 10 lbs repeatedly... but I doubt any new mom would express much complaint with the obvious love and bonding that is part of caring for their newborn child.

Interestingly, our "Christy-baby" is still with us 6 mos. after the terrible scare we had with her overall heath last May. She was incorrectly diagnosed with terminal cancer at that time, and after seeing her health continue to become much better two months after learning of her "cancer", Bob and I decided to get a second opinion and "Christy" revisited her old "friends" at Ryan Vet in Philly. After testing and an ultrasound, it was determined that "Christy's" tumor internally was actually benign and that it was a result of her age and not cancerous. With this news, we were now hopeful that she would see her next birthday, which is December 24th... Christmas Eve.

I will be returning to work on December 2nd at a very exciting and growing technologically advanced company that will bring remarkable possibilities with aiding children in the learning process thru writing skills and improved State testing results across the curriculum. It is the background of the elementary teacher that had my resume noticed and could prove to be a "coming of the full circle" of the promises that were made when I decided that following God's Will included learning to teach. The journey has been long, as I've left my schooling at Geneva College 17 years ago. But, if you pay attention to the "everyday miracles" that are present in our lives, you will realize that God doesn't miss the "small stuff" and in His timing, all works to the Glory of His Plan.

After many years of quality time spent as a "family of three", Bob and I have learned that our baby girl, "Christy Joy" has terminal cancer. This came as quite a shock to us recently, as she wasn't demonstrating any physical signs of being ill. She had undergone some serious problems with her overall health in the the last few years, but she's been very brave and tolerant to the individual concerns and necessary treatment and surgical procedures that had come her way in the course of the last 4 years. I know it may be odd to spend some time blogging about our "four legged furry one" that we call our child. But she's been the closest "little person" that we've shared our lives with and I felt that she deserved some verse before she becomes "someone we used to love dearly." She was diagnosed with an external cancerous tumor on her front paw 4 years ago, which after being surgically removed, was determined to have "messy margins." This term is used frequently in describing a given situation when it is unlikely that all of the cancerous site was removed successfully. So, after listening to our very few options as to what should be done for Christy's welfare- Bob and I decided that we would make the sacrifice to take our "Christy-Baby" to The University of Penn Ryan Veterinarian Hospital where she braved radiation therapy three times weekly for more than 6 mos; making these weekly trips with her "mommy" and joined by her "daddy" on Mondays. As soon as she became a "regular patient", "Christy" won the hearts of all that attended to her treatments. She was a delight and well loved by her Oncologist, "Dr. Duda" and the feeling was mutual. Bob and I would mention to "Christy" on Sunday that we would be seeing her doctor the next day, and "Christy" wouldn't forget the "appointment". She'd be ready to go first thing in the morning to make the car ride; to see her "Dr. Duda" and as her doctor said, "she loved her drugs, too!" (This is in reference to the slight anesthesia needed to keep her calm during treatments). Once this costly treatment was completed, Bob and I were informed that we could anticipate "Christy" having an extended life expectancy, but would most likely face another cancerous situation internally in the coming years, possibly anywhere from 3-5 yrs. At the time, we were happy to have our "little one" healthy, happy and completely well adjusted as ever. After a few bad "hair days"- since we decided to shave her all over to help the fur grow in evenly (her belly was bare; exposed by necessary shaving for ultrasounds and such)- things went on uneventfully for some time. Then unexpectedly a year ago in December, when all the hype was going on with the tainted foods for animals and other equally scary news- we found that "Christy" was "full" of bladder stones and had to have them removed surgically- instantaneously learning that she was now diabetic as well. Once again, "Christy" came thru the surgical procedure and not only tolerated her insulin shots twice a day, but actually looks forward to receiving them. Her tail wags the entire time and she feels that she's getting "special treatment" from the added attention! Now with a special prescription diet to follow to impede any further bladder stones from developing, insulin needles and insulin, Bob and I were given false hope that Christy wouldn't have a care in the world for awhile. In the sense of the situation, that much is true. When Bob and I learned of "Christy's" current health concerns, we were devastated and feared the only choice would be to put her down. But, "Christy's" knowledge of her situation is blessed. Animals don't struggle with the same concerns of knowing the severity of bad health, or that having "terminal cancer" means being sick or fear of dying. Our "Christy" is nothing more than full of love and life and so happy all of the time while being with the people that she loves so much. Bob and I will have to come to that unfortunate moment when we understand that "Christy" can't be with us any longer, but for now- she continues to be a source of light and hope for us and we could not do any better than by having her with us in our lives.

After many years of not being a student, but attempting to be the instructor... I haven't given it much thought in returning to my beloved Geneva college in Beaver Falls, PA. With each passing Autumn, and its splendid array of changing leaves and crisp, cool air never failed in reminding me of fond moments and memoires shared with close friends and visiting parents. This is my favorite season, although each of the passing seasons hold very endearing qualities unique to its given place on the calendar page. However, knowing that I am happiest during the few short weeks between September, when summer has ended, and the time when November starts to dull into a saddening gray, and bleak preview into Winter... Bob agreed to join me for Homecoming weekend as I made the journey back to this campus in celebrating my 15th college reunion. We were joined by my close college friends of whom we haven't seen in 10 years. It was amazing to see how much their children have grown, and yet seeing one another, in our eyes (as adults looking at one another's physical traits)... it was as if no time had passed at all. Seeing many of my past close friends and aquaintances of the graduating class of '91 was hilighted with new introductions of their spouses and young children. It was truely a blessing to be back in this company, when the anthem sung at a football stadium sounds like a choir and a lost pair of sunglasses is kindly picked up and placed upon a nearby table for it's owner's return. How far is the distance between the two points in the state? Immeasurable in many ways.

"The wonderful thing about reading (books) is that they allow us to enter imaginatively into someone else's life. And when we do that, we learn to sympathize with other people. But the real surprise is that we also learn truths about ourselves, about our own lives, that somehow we hadn't been able to see before."

~ Katherine Patterson