Dear Friends in MCREA,
Here we are again in the magical, beautiful Christmas season. I was thinking today that I have lived through 75 of these seasons and have been an extravaganza producer of 53 of them. But the magic never lessens. I still feel like the little kid who waited for Santa to bring a new toy or a Nancy Drew mystery. Later in life, I read the Christmas ads and tired to get, within a strict budget, just the right toy for each of my three kids. The joy in their eyes on Christmas morning made all the hard work of shopping, wrapping, hiding, and over-spending worthwhile.
Circumstances have changed. Those little kids are in their 50s, and even my grandchildren are too old for Santa. "Grandma, all I want for Christmas is money or a gift card." They are practical, of course, because I would never be able to negotiate the technology that they want, even if I could afford it.
Their wardrobes are a mystery to me. "Are you really going to wear that?" I ask as they go out the door. And their taste in music? Forget it.
Still the Christmas spirit lifts me up. The day after Thanksgiving when the fir trees go on sale at the Boys and Girls Club lot at Westgate, I am there. "Never mind the dust. Just put it up quickly. I'll sweep around it." I tell my husband, as I have since 1957. (We have some very old dust.) I have cut back on the decorating. It takes a toll on us to get those lights up, and ladder climbing isn't a great idea anymore. But I will be ready on Christmas Eve, waiting for Santa, expecting the Miracle that always happens when the Christmas glow lights up my life. I share these thoughts with you because I imagine yours are similar. We have come to know that the Miracle is not in the decorations or the music or the tree. It is in the heart.
At MCREA, we are still welcoming new members. Remember that your friends and former colleagues are eligible for membership, so bring them along to a meeting. Even non-educators
who are interested in education can join as associate members. Our newest members are Faith Herring and Kathleen Burgardt. I willl have more about them in a later blog. This month, I am introducing Nancy Erwin and Dianne Loyer.
Nancy was a second grade teacher before retirement. She also was able to make sure there were lots of Loyers around for the future good of the community. She is the mother of five and the grandmother of ten. She must be very busy right now doing her Christmas shopping. Nancy loves water aerobics and enjoys playing bridge and reading. She is also a member of Alpha Delta Kappa.
Dianne also taught second grade. And, if my memory serves me, the two of them arrived at our membership reception together. Does surviving the second grade create a lifetime bond? Dianne and her husband, Malcolm, have three children and five grandchildren. Following the grandchildren's sporting events (softball, baseball, and golf) keeps them busy.
I hope you can all be with us at 11 a.m., Dec. 16, at Renaissance on 9th, for our holiday celebraton meeting. We will have the Bell Choir from David and Carolyn Brown's church to entertain us, followed by fun and games. Our business meeting will be short so that we will have lots of time to enjoy ourselves. If you have a small gift at home that found its way to the wrong house, wrap it up, and bring it along to be added to our game prizes.
Also, Vilena Moore will still be collecting small personal items like shampoo, soap, scents, etc. to make up the gift bags that she and her committee will be giving to the shut-ins at Westminster Manor.
For those of you who are shut in this Holiday Season, we are thinking of you and hoping that you get better soon. For those, like me, who lost a cherished family member or friend this year, I offer you my love and wish you as much strength as you can muster to carry you through. I plan to concentrate on the real meaning of the season which consoles me.
Happy Holidays,
Ellen
