Holidays Behind Us – Election Looms in Front of Us

Posted Jan 6th, 2012

Had a Great Christmas Season. I hope that you greeted those around you with a heart-felt “Merry Christmas” instead of the politically correct (and wimpy) “Happy Holidays”. Happy Holidays????? What other holiday would you be talking about if you are a Christian? Of course if you are talking to a friend who is Jewish,  than Happy Hannukah (sp?) would be completely appropriate. I would not be offended if some stranger said Happy Hannukah to me by any means. I would just understand that either he/she was Jewish or thought I was (small chance of that, but possible). I would just wish it back to them. It would make me feel good that I live in an America where I could freely express my beliefs and others could do the same. This fear of walking on eggshells and worrying that I might offend someone if I let them know I ‘m a Christian even though they might be Muslim , Jewish, Buddist, or whatever, drives me absolutley nuts. I’m being honest though when I tell you I’m not quite sure of Kwanza just yet. I’m not sure if it is actually a real holiday or something made up just to feel special. I’m not saying it’s bad, I’m just saying I don’t quite get it. But if someone said “Happy Kwanza” I’d wish it back to them. We all need to lighten up a bit.

Something has been weighing heavy on my mind and heart over the last week. For those of you who live in the Pacific Northwest, especially in the Seattle area, I’m sure you heard about and remember the beautiful little girl, Gloria Strauss, who was suffering so long with terminal cancer. Her struggles were written about in the Seattle Times in a continuing story by Jerry Brewster (hope I got the name right). Gloria’s story and her incredible spirit brought so many people closer to God. She was an amazing gift not only to her family and friends but to the whole community. She came from a large Catholic family. Dad is a teacher /coach in one of the local private Catholic high Schools (Kennedy). I attended a function at our local church where the parents spoke about Gloria’s story and was blown away with their faith and how they manageed to not only get through the ordeal, but to start an outreach to other families who are going through the same thing. I remember thinking to myself how any parent could manage to mentally, emotionally, and physically survive the death of a young child??

Well I was terrribly sad to learn that just last Friday this wonderful family had to face another tragedy beyond comprehension. Apparently one of their sons, a dear 10 year old, died from an accidental asphyxiation. I don’t have the details of course but I believe it had something to do with getting one of his father’s ties around his neck and the knot tightening and not being able to loosen it by himself. I just wanted to cry and cry for this family. Why do some people seem to get incredible burdens and sorrows while others seem to have only good luck?  I huggged my own kids a little tighter that night when I got home. Somehow the mess they left and the noise they were making didn’t seem to bother me as much. I just felt blessed to have them safe in my home where I could hold them and enjoy their company. Please Please keep the Strauss family in your prayers. I truly believe that Gloria is there waiting for her little brother when he passes over. I truly believe that all our loved ones who have crossed over before us will be waiting to see us when it is our turn to make the trek. Without that belief I’m not sure how people deal with the death of loved ones. If we don’t have an afterlife it is hard for me to understand what we would be put on this Earth for? I love Jesus!! Please pray for the Strausses!