Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot?

Tomorrow is the last day of 2009...the last day of an entire decade. That's hard to comprehend. Just thinking back on the last 10 years...

In 2000, I was a college student. Just a few months before, I had transferred to the University of South Alabama to finish my bachelors of arts degree in Communication. It's hard to think of myself as that 20 year old that was just getting started in adulthood. There's so much I didn't know--yet I thought I knew it all. I had my future mapped out...I was going to get a job in Television as a reporter, get married, and have a couple of kids. I was ready to conquer the world! I didn't care about the fear I felt about the future, because I was ready to stare that fear in the face.

I liked the 20 year old "me". As we get older, we decide to get comfortable in the day to day, mundane life. Here I am, just turned 31, and no, I don't like where I'm at. But it's hard for me to think of doing or being anything other than what I am...a tv news producer at work, single in my personal life. But if I've learned anything over the last 10 years, I've learned that things can change in an instant. One moment, you think, "wow, I need a change!" and the next minute, something just kind of falls in your lap, or something changes that pushes you to make that change.

In college, I thought I had it all figured out...and I wasn't going to let anyone squash my dreams. Those ney-sayers...you know, the ones that say "It can't be done", I was all about proving them wrong.

I grew up in a very small Alabama town. And undoubtedly, small town girls aren't supposed to do anything big. Or at least what small minds consider big. Because when I decided I wanted to work in television news, I had teachers, even my guidance counselor tell me it couldn't be done. Which is kind of odd, considering the whole reason I got interested in TV to start with was because of a class that was offered one year at Gordo High School. A class that I was put into by chance. I am so glad it happened. But those teachers, they all told me I shouldn't go away to college--because small town girls don't do well in college, unless they go to the local community college first. And they tried to talk me out of working in television, too. So, much of this decade has been about proving them wrong. And I did! I've seen some of them in my hometown since graduation, and they get a weird look on their face when I tell them what I do for a living.

But you know, I'm tired of living my life to prove someone else wrong. Beginning in 2010, I'm going to live for me and for me only. I'm going to do what makes me happy. I just have to figure out what does make me happy and do it.

Since college graduation(2002), I have lived in Mobile, Alabama, Huntsville, Alabama, Pensacola, Florida, Greenville, South Carolina, and now Chattanooga, Tennessee. For the most part, I didn't move just to move. I moved in order to get to my dream. I wanted to be a news producer of a 5pm newscast(somewhere along the way, my dream of being a reporter changed). And that required moving around in order to move up. I never got much attached to the places I lived. I had friends everywhere I lived, even in Pensacola, which is surprising, since I was only there for three months (I told you life can change quickly!) But when I got to Greenville, suddenly all of that changed. I made a life for myself there. I had friends, a boyfriend, a great church, and a great-paying job. I had actually decided to stay, but then work got more than I could handle, and suddenly happiness at work was more important than the money I was making.

So I moved to Chattanooga...which not only fulfilled my dream of becoming a 5pm producer, but gave me a great city to live in...Now here, I have good friends, a wonderful church...and a job where I'm treated well, which is nice. But I'm not satisfied. So, over the next couple of months, I will be analyzing my life, and try to figure out how I can get satisfied. A friend of mine recently commented on one of my posts. She told me that she is happy to see me so content in life, because so many of her single friends are not. The truth is, I try hard to be content, but that isn't always the case. I do want that companionship that only a husband can give. I think any single woman who says she doesn't want that is lying. But I know that this is the life I have right now, and I will never get it back, so I need to enjoy what God has given me.

With that said, I am so happy that my life's journey has included all of the wonderful people that I've had the privilege of knowing. People I would never have met had I not chosen the path I did. People in all sorts of cities across the country and the world. The famous song Auld Lang Syne talks about friends of times past.
it's literal translation is this:
Should old friends be forgotten
and never remembered
Should old friends be forgotten
and the days they shared together

I believe old friends should never be forgotten, because those friends are who have made us the people we are today. I believe God brings people into your life for a reason, for a season, or for a lifetime. And I can look back over the many friends I have made on this life's journey...over the past decade, and see many faces. Some of them I never talk to anymore...they were only my friends for a season. But they had their purpose. And I am so glad that many of the friends I have made are here for a lifetime. Many of you reading this fit that category.

So no, old acquaintance should not be forgot. Thank you for doing life's journey with me. Here's to a great New Year and a New Decade! Cheers!

The Magic of Christmas

This is my first year on facebook, and i have been saddened reading about how children are either being told Santa Claus isn't real, or they're beginning to question the legend of Santa Claus at earlier ages. I think the latter is being caused by the former. First of all, Santa is based on a real person...

Saint Nicholas was born to wealthy christian parents in the third century. His parents died while he was still very young. Obeying Jesus' words to sell all you have and give the money to the poor, Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. Saint Nicholas is known as the patron and protector of children.

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds.
One story tells of a poor man who had three daughters. In those days, a father had to offer his daughter's prospective husband a dowry. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry...and without dowry's, these young women were likely to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, a bag of gold appeared in their home, on three different occasions--which provided the needed dowries. the bags were tossed through an open window and are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left by the fire to dry. That's where we get the custom of hanging stockings at Christmastime.

Saint Nicholas died December 6th, which is why many celebrate St. Nicholas day on that day each year. During my time as a part-time nanny for a German family in Mobile, Alabama, I learned about the tradition of Saint Nicholas day--it's one I would like to keep with my future children. Kids put their shoes outside the door while they sleep on December 6th. During the night, Nicholas comes and fills their shoes...candy if they were good, rocks if they were bad...one of my kids that I kept got rocks in one shoe and candy in the other one year! I guess he was half good/half bad! :)

As christians, we all know the true reason for the season. Jesus. But Jesus if about a gift. God gave Jesus to the world so that we could know Him and spend eternity with Him. And because I am a christian, and I love Jesus, I believe Christmas is about giving...whether it be a gift of love or of a toy. And Santa fits right into that category...

plus...What's childhood without a bit of make believe and magic? I have to commend my parents, Bob and Regina, were all about the magic of Christmas. This is the truth! I believed in Santa Claus until I was a teenager! Yes, you probably think i'm a dork...But everytime I started to doubt, something would happen on Christmas eve! One year I heard elves run down the hallway! I'm not kidding! It sounded like little people, and lots of them, running! Then one year, I heard reindeer on the roof! If that's not enough to make you believe, I don't know what is! And one year...on Christmas Day, we found sleigh marks in the yard! It was amazing!

But of course, we always had the nativity in the house--and always talked about JEsus and the gift He gave us!

I say all of this to say--enjoy the magic of Christmas! And let your children enjoy it, too! Because, we only get one childhood! And if you have the imagination and the means...make this Christmas a little more magical for them. And for yourself!

I can only hope somewhere a child is hearing reindeer on the roof, or bells, or even elves in the hallway. :)

12 Days of Christmas

You know the song...but exactly how did the 12 Days of Christmas become a popular song? I mean, it is a little strange...who gives lords a leaping and ladies dancing to the ones they love? I might understand the five gold rings, though!

But I came across something very interesting today. An explainer on how the song was written, and it's quite fascinating:


From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics..

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history lesson of the day...next time you sing the catchy song, maybe you'll think about how the true meaning has deep roots in the Bible.

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It's been a while since I posted. And I really don't have any excuses. I just spend WAY too much time on facebook to keep up with my blog. But we're entering the holiday season. And this can be the most wonderful time of the year, or it can be the most stressful time of the year.

I love the holidays--the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. And for the first time in a long time, I get to see my family on Thanksgiving AND Christmas. Working in news, someone has to work. And I've always had to work either Thanksgiving or Christmas. But this year, I get the day after Thanksgiving off, and I get Christmas Day off. Yes, I have to work Thanksgiving day and Christmas eve...but I'll take what I can get!

Because I usually have to work holidays, December is many times a very sad time for me. Because while everyone is enjoying their family, I don't get to see them because of work. So, this year is extra special.

The holidays are about family and friends, and Jesus. And for people who don't get to see their family, this time of year can be stressful. Sometimes, being around that family can be stressful!

This Thanksgiving, what are you thankful for? I am thankful I have a roof over my head, food to eat, and a job that pays the bills. THere's so many this thanksgiving that don't have that. Someone sent a news release to me last week that said one in six Tennesseans will go hungry this Holiday season. That's so sad that happens here in the United States. So let's be thankful for what we have.

And then as Christmas approaches, let's remember the reason for the season. Without Jesus, there would be no Christmas.

Shoes In Church

One of my friends sent this to me in an email, and I wanted to share. There should NEVER be a time where someone walks into our churches, and walks out without being welcomed, not by the preacher, but by the congregation. I have personally experienced an unwelcoming feeling in nearly every church I've visited. But what if the visitor isn't a Christian? Then you've just lost your chance to show the visitor the love of God. Please read this poem:


I showered and shaved
I adjusted my tie. I got there and sat
In a pew just in time.
Bowing my head in prayer
as I closed my eyes. I saw the shoe of the man next to me
Touching my own.
I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side, I thought, 'Why must our soles touch?'
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine
But it didn't bother him much.

A prayer began: 'Our Father'
I thought, 'This man with the shoes,has no pride.
They're dusty, worn, and scratched.
Even worse, there are holes on the side!'

'Thank You for blessings,' the prayer went on.
The shoe man said a quiet 'Amen.'

I tried to focus on the prayer, but my thoughts were on his shoes again.
Aren't we supposed to look our best when walking through that door?
'Well, this certainly isn't it,' I thought, Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended and the songs of praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud, sounding proud as he sang.
His voice lifted the rafters
His hands were raised high.
The Lord could surely hear. The shoe man's voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering
And what I threw in was steep.
I watched as the shoe man reached
Into his pockets so deep.
I saw what was pulled out
What the shoe man put in.
Then I heard a soft 'clink' . As when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me
To tears, and that's no lie.
It was the same for the shoe man
For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service
As is the custom here.
We must greet new visitors, And show them all good cheer.
But I felt moved somehow
And wanted to meet the shoe man.

So after the closing prayer
I reached over and shook his hand.
He was old and his skin was dark
And his hair was truly a mess.
But I thanked him for coming
For being our guest.

He said, 'My name's Charlie
I'm glad to meet you, my friend.'
There were tears in his eyes
But he had a large, wide grin.
'Let me explain,' he said
Wiping tears from his eyes.

'I've been coming here for months
And you're the first to say 'Hi.'
I know that my appearance
Is not like all the rest.
But I really do try
To always look my best.
I always clean and polish my shoes
Before my very long walk.
But by the time I get here
They're dirty and dusty, like chalk.'

My heart filled with pain
And I swallowed to hide my tears.
As he continued to apologize
For daring to sit so near

He said, 'When I get here
I know I must look a sight.
But I thought if I could touch you
Then maybe our souls might unite.'

I was silent for a moment
Knowing whatever was said
Would pale in comparison
I spoke from my heart, not my head.

'Oh, you've touched me,' I said
'And taught me, in part;
'That the best of any man
'Is what is found in his heart.'

The rest, I thought, This shoe man will never know.
Like just how thankful I really am
That his dirty old shoe touched my soul

The Recession Is not Over!!!

Today, U.S. federal reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said the recession is likely over. But it's easy for Mr. Bernanke to say that when he's still bringing home a paycheck every week. Tell that to the family that's still looking for a job because they got laid off. Tell that to those of us facing furloughs.
I'm sorry, Mr. Bernanke...but the recession isn't over until the unemploument rate dops by about half! Please don't give America false hope! Let's get jobs back, then we can say the recession is over.

Patrick Swayze Dies

Again I am reminded how short life really is. Today, actor Patrick Swayze died of Pancreatic cancer. He was 57. I cannot even count the times I have invited Swayze into my home through a great movie. I own the two Dirty dancing movies...I love the movie "Ghost" as well...not to mention "The Outsiders", "Road House", "Point Break". I am so saddened by his death. Even though he didn't do many movies over his career, he was one of the greats. He was a great actor, and Hollywood is better for having him there. Patrick Swayze will definitely be missed. And the sad thing to me...he never had children. So there are no other Swayze children to pass on the legacy.