CHRISTMAS, Bah HUMBUG!!!!

[Digidave]

My Story:
As Christmas is approaching, I've been trying to get into the spirit of things. I really have!! We've been getting a lot of snow here in southern Wisconsin & it seems like, all I've been doing is shoveling! It has been helping a little bit & it will make for a whiter Christmas. I just can't into the spirit of things. Maybe it's a mid-Life crisis thing? I don't have any kids of my own so I don't see those glowing little smiles of anticipation.
This morning I get out of bed & I decide that I'm going to burn a bunch of CD's full of Christmas songs. Songs done by all the favorite R&R stars. Then I would just give them away to people I work with, Bartenders, or maybe people I just pass on the street. This should make me feel a little better, right? I figure out that I'll be needing more CD's. So I drive down to local big-box store. I know exactly where they are in the store. I'll just run in grab what I need & get the heck out of there!
Well, I pull into the parking lot full of cars. Drive around for 15-20 minutes looking for a spot. That may be a bit of exaggeration there.;) I see a spot. I go for it. Some woman pulls right in front of me in her beatup Dodge & takes my spot!! I swear she a had a big smile on her face! She wouldn't have been smiling long if I would have gotten a hold of her. I finally find a spot about a 1/2 a mile from the store. I collect myself & start walking, when along comes a group of kids in a car that I'm sure daddy bought for them. They hit a puddle of slush, & low & behold, who do you think is in the path of that flying slush? Yeah, you guessed it, ME!!!! My pants are soaked at this point!! I swear they swerved just to hit that puddle of slush!! Well, I drudge on, because I really need those CD's if I'm going to get any Christmas spirit, right?!! I get to the CD section, NO BLANK CD"S!!! I finally track down a store employee. They run to their supervisor. Finally after about 1/2 hour they dig some more out of the back room. Okay, I got my CD's. I walk toward the checkout lanes when, I swear to God, that same woman that cut me out of of my parking spot is walking toward me & heading for the same line as me. SHE CUT ME OFF AGAIN!!! I have 1 item, she has about a dozen or so & a screaming little brat in her cart. But NOOOOOOO, she has to go first.
Well, I made it home in 1 piece & burned my CD's, & took a shower. So now I'm feeling a tad bit better but I need your help fellow DPS members.

The Challenge:
Help me regain that good old Christmas spirit. Show me some pictures that you feel represent the TRUE meaning of Christmas. They don't have to be Christmas related necessarily. A kid helping a little old lady cross the street. Someone giving a homeless person a meal or money. If you don't have any pictures, how about a story of inspiration from your life or hometown. Ramdom Acts of Kindness! Help me regain my faith in humankind!! Once again, the only presents I'll be getting this year are the ones that I buy for myself.:( So consider these pictures or stories gifts to me.:D
I just have 1 more request. No pictures of Christmas lights. We have another thread for that purpose.

[wulf]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wulf/2100140001/" title="Advent Reflections - 4 by basswulf, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2171/2100140001_f97d44ef8f.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Advent Reflections - 4" /></a>

Take some time to reflect on what you give to others - not just "stuff" but also time, care and consideration. Christmas is all about a gift given (http://www.christmas-time.com/cp-advent.html).

Wulf

[Dr. WooD]

Probably not what your looking for, but still a touching story. My wife emailed this to me today. I know there are a lot of people from all over the world on here, and I hope this doesn't offend anyone.

Author unknown.

Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa At Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin. The child climbed up on his lap, Holding a picture of a little girl. "Who is this?" asked Santa, Smiling. "Your friend?" Your sister? "Yes, Santa," he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he Said sadly. Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and Saw her dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" The child exclaimed. "She misses you," he added softly. Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face, Asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas. When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the Child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but Halted. "What is it?" Santa asked warmly. "Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but..." the Old woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to Collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors. "The girl in the photograph... My granddaughter... Well, you see... She has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the Holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes "Is there any way, Santa... Any possible way that you could come see Sarah? That's all she's asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa." Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave Information with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see What he could do. Santa thought of little else the rest of that Afternoon. He knew what he had to do. "What if it were MY child lying in that Hospital bed, dying," he thought with a sinking heart, "this is the Least I can do." When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that Evening, he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get To Children's Hospital. "Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face. Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmother Earlier that day. "C'mon... I'll take you there," Rick said softly. Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa. They found out which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said he would wait out in the hall. Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and Saw little Sarah on the bed. The room was full of what appeared to Be her family; there was the Grandmother and the girl's brother he had Met earlier that day. A woman whom he guessed was Sarah's mother stood By the bed, gently pushing Sarah's thin hair off her forehead. And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a Chair near the bed with weary, sad look on her face. They were Talking quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of The family, and their love and concern for Sarah. Taking a deep Breath, and forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the room, Bellowing a hearty, "Ho, ho, ho!" "Santa!" shrieked little Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed To run to him, IV tubes in tact. Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug. A child the tender Age of his own son - 9 years old, gazed up at him with wonder and Excitement. Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale Bald patches from the effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he Looked at her was a pair of huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he Had to force himself to choke back tears. Though his eyes were riveted Upon Sarah's face, he could hear the gasps and quiet sobbing of the Women in the room. As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept Quietly to the bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his Hand gratefully, whispering "thank you" as they gazed sincerely at Him with shining eyes. Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she Told him excitedly all the toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring Him she'd been a very good girl that year. As their time together Dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for Sarah, and asked For permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in agreement and The entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding hands. Santa Looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in angels. "Oh, yes, Santa... I do!" she exclaimed. "Well, I'm going to ask that angels watch over you, "he said. Laying one hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed. He asked that God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease. He asked that angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when he finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing softly, "Silent Night, Holy Night - all is calm, all is bright." The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and crying tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed at them all. When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held Sarah's frail, small hands in his own. "Now, Sarah," he said authoritatively, "you have a job to do, and that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house at Mayfair Mall this time next year!" He knew it was risky proclaiming that, to this little girl who had terminal cancer, but he "had" to. He had to give her the greatest gift he could... not dolls or games or toys... but the gift of HOPE. "Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead and left the room. Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed between them and they wept unashamed. Sarah's mother and grandmother slipped out of the room quickly and rushed to Santa's side to thank him. "My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly. "This is the least I could do." They nodded with understanding and hugged him. One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee for his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went by and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap. "Hi, Santa! Remember me?!" "Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at her. After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to always make each child feel as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment. "You came to see me in the hospital last year!" Santa's jaw dropped. Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He scarcely recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were rosy, much different from the little girl he had visited just a year before. He looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes. That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus. He had witnessed and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing about this miracle of hope. This precious little child was healed. Cancer free. Alive and well. He silently looked up to Heaven and humbly whispered, "Thank you, Father. Tis a very, Merry Christmas!" ~~unknown

[velvet4269]

Sometimes, it's just enough to see the pretty:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2009/2102727034_463e87282c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/velvetmermaid/2102727034/)

I'm kinda with you, though. I'm having a very hard time getting in the spirit this year. It's going to end up being a day off of work for me. That's something, though.

[amy-rose]

okay- this has nothing to do with christmas except it was taken today in the month of christmas. my kid put her bloomers on her head and wore them for a couple of hours while she watched cartoons. she didn't want to take them off either! it brightened my day= hope it helps yours.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amyroseking/2109642708/" title="Victoria Secret Girl by Amy-Rose, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2109642708_32792e9c46.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Victoria Secret Girl" /></a>

[amy-rose]

here's one a little more personalized. Merry Christmas, Digidave

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amyroseking/2109698758/" title="Christmas card to Digidave by Amy-Rose, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2369/2109698758_dddf8a29cb.jpg" width="459" height="500" alt="Christmas card to Digidave" /></a>

[Digidave]

Amy-Rose: What a little cutie pie! That absolutely put a smile on this old face.:) Nice idea with the card & all. Very cool!!

Wolf: Loved the poem. Thanks

Sometimes, it's just enough to see the pretty:
Your absolutely right!

Wood: Whoah!! What can one say after reading that! Very powerful!

[amy-rose]

hey- anytime you need a pick-me-up from your ol' dps family! really do hope you have a merry christmas!

[Nicole]

All I can do is offer a Merry Christmas. I'm in a bit of a Bah Humbug mood myself, so I'm looking forward to seeing some cheerful things in the thread. :)

[Dr. WooD]

All I can do is offer a Merry Christmas. I'm in a bit of a Bah Humbug mood myself, so I'm looking forward to seeing some cheerful things in the thread. :)


Same here. I even have to work Christmas day. I cant believe people wood want to read newspapers on holidays. There should be a law against it!

[windrider86]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alockintime/2090613785/" title="PC010607 by windrider86, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2155/2090613785_bcf75e73ee.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="PC010607" /></a>

People tend to lose sight of what Christmas is all about. They forget to care about thier neighbors and get upset that the person in line in front of them have an item that needs a price check.
Let me tell you my husband and I for many years have been involved in our local toy drive and for days we dress up as Santa and Mrs santa and delivery toys to hundreds of homes. Beleive me its heartbreaking to see how some of these familes live but when you see the joy in those childrens eyes when Santa brings them toys and knows thier names in warms event he coldest of hearts.

[jiminyClickit]

Digidave,

It will not come from us; joy is an inner glow that may be incidently started from an outside spark, but it will be your willingness to be touched by something that begins your warm-and-fuzzies for the season.

I have year after year often gone thru the December of panicky chaos without a hint of "Santa-tizing" only to be struck in the heart by some news story or song lyric or old movie. But I have to be willing and ready to be touched.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47146451@N00/2099409242/" title="Vigilance by jiminyClickit, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2298/2099409242_9430f3933e.jpg" width="382" height="500" alt="Vigilance" /></a>

My recent stray acquaintance is showing me an early lesson: she contemplates the air and Sun and snow, asks for no more than some food and a scratch in all the catplaces, is thrilled over a waving strip of paper, and as the purring indicates, is one content ball of fur. She has attitude, and it is simply that you get what you give, you must open to the senses to be warmed by seasons or events, and sometimes it's OK to be a little late.

Lighten up on yourself, get photos of people doing good, do some good yourself, expect nothing, let joy discover you.

[contactmark]

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce
toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the
Pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed
Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were </ PRE>
About to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out,
Heaven knows where.

Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked,
the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot
of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drank
all the cider and hidden the liquor. In his frustration, he accidentally
dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces
all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice
had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and irritated Santa marched to the door,
yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big
Christmas tree.

The angel said very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a
lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where do you want me to
stick it?"

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas
tree.:)

[Digidave]

Jiminy:
It will not come from us; joy is an inner glow that may be incidently started from an outside spark, but it will be your willingness to be touched by something that begins your warm-and-fuzzies for the season.

Or maybe a shot of good tequila & a cold beer?:D Thanks Bud!!

contactmark:
Now THAT was funny! Loved it!!:)

[Patty]

I'm having a "bah HUMBUG!" Christmas season too. My grown kids and my grandbabies are thousands of miles away. Just my youngest, 15 yr old, and me here. I'm SO homesick. I just don't feel too thrilled about Christmas this year. I have no tequila so I'm sending this cold beer and some Christmas kisses your way! LOL It's snowing here and I'm being lazy today. :)<p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pattyv/2112744721/" title="DaveChristmasBeer by PattyV, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2015/2112744721_499dc01a09.jpg" width="379" height="500" alt="DaveChristmasBeer" /></a>

[Taallyn]

Digidave,

You better watch-out. If you don't get in the holiday spirits, you'll get a "visit" from Santa's Demon Reindeer

http://Taallyn.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p640060661-3.jpg

I'm just sayin'

:cool:

[Nicole]

Man, that's just creepty Taallyn!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolesphotos/2122292580/" title="Love is Sweet (by -Nicole-)"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/2192/2122292580_cd2957a43a.jpg" title="Love is Sweet (by -Nicole-)" alt="Love is Sweet (by -Nicole-)" width="500" height="299" /></a>

May your Christmas be sweet and filled with love (and at least a little sugary goodness ;))

[Taallyn]

Man, that's just creepty Taallyn!


I try my best. ;)

[windrider86]

everyone is welcome to come to our house. all you have to do is get here!

[Taallyn]

Here's another one from the same night, just not so "creepy".

http://Taallyn.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p789966003-3.jpg

Happy Holidays and may the Good Reindeer visit your rooftop. :)

[Nicole]

Happy Holidays and may the Good Reindeer visit your rooftop. :)

...and not leave his own "presents" ;)

[mfhurst]

If this guy can't get you in the Christmas mood, there may be no hope..... but If you give me your address I'll send you a couple of kids......... Merry Christmas!!!!!!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8511502@N06/2123423877/" title="IMG_2017 by mfhurst, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2123423877_7aabd86308.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_2017" /></a>:D

"He's a mean MR. GRINCH"