The prep, the planning, the decorating, the shopping, the wrapping, the cooking and now Christmas is over. Wait a minute; it doesn't have to be over. I think we need a little Christmas right this very minute!
I know that some say Santa is a myth, but he doesn't have to be. Jesus is the reason for the season, but Santa is the magic of the season. Kids grow up to fast; they need a little magic in their lives, time to dream, time to wish upon a star.
St Nicholas was a real person, a man with a loving heart who cared about children. Stockings were filled while children were sleeping. Nicholas did his gift giving secretly, under cover of darkness. (And he still does.) He didn't want to be seen and recognized as he wanted those he helped to give thanks to God. He had a seasonal concern for the needy and gave gifts to those in greatest need—the young and the most vulnerable. Christmas gifts and baskets given to those in need, along with other seasonal contributions to charity, reflect St. Nicholas' unselfish concern for others. He never wanted or expected anything in return. He represents the spirit of Christmas. When he died mankind carried on those traditions.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could carry on this spirit of unselfish giving every day? That’s exactly what Christ expects us to do. It’s what He is all about. Giving, loving, sharing, joy, peace – He is the reason for the season, God's ultimate gift to mankind -- a Savior. Folks, I personally think we need a little Christmas every single day from Christ, from Santa, from mankind--we need it.
And on that note, I hope you all had a happy and blessed Christmas -- if you didn't, maybe you need to practice your "ho ho ho's." Until next time.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Year End Reflections by Connie Hawkins
2009 is almost over. It's been both a year of joy and one of sadness. Joy first: I took my first airplane trip!! Yep, I finally got on an airplane and flew to Florida with my daughter to visit my brother and my father. We had a great time. It was so enjoyable. Would I fly again? Hum-m, I'm thinking about it. The birth of my adorable grandson, Jeremiah, (Little J) on March 30th was truly the highlight of 2009. He is such a delight and has captured our hearts from day one. He brings laughter and joy into my life.
Went to see the musical Chicago with the girls at the Bay City Players. It was so much fun, didn't realize how much I needed that night out. Struggled with trying to lose weight, which will be top of my New Year's Resolutions again for 2010. I've lost the same 30lbs four times--that's 120 pounds my friends! I know that one of these times I will actually lick it, lose the weight and keep it off. All things are possible with Christ! I wonder if the cereal diet really works?
Read the book "The Shack" this year -- everyone was talking about it so I decided that I needed to read it. I gained a lot of insight from the book and came away with a new insight about God the Father. It's a book that gives you a lot to think about.
I endured some physical hardships over the summer and into the fall. Nothing that cannot be overcome with a trip to Florida this winter!
In May my nephew (who is the same age as my son) died unexpectedly. I am so glad that Heidi and I got to spend some time with him back in February. In August a good friend from church had a heart attack and died -- he was 64. When people your age go home to be with the Lord, it makes you think about your own life and the path you are on. I'm trying to take some time every day to stop and smell the roses.
In September I traveled with my brother, my father and my daughter, to PA for a surprise 85th birthday party for my Aunt Lila and 94th party for my father. My cousin, Bonnie, graciously hosted the family, feeding 35 people every night for four days! Aunt Lila has dementia now and doesn't always remember who I am, but I always remember who she is -- the one who has been praying me through and now, it's my turn to pray Aunt Lila through!
In October, my high school friend, Mary, lost her 9-year battle with cancer. Mary was one of the most courageous people I have ever known and has truly been an inspiration to me. She said in her obituary, "Let the change you want to see in the world begin with you." She would always say that whenever we would talk, too. And so, in honor of Mary's memory I want to bring about some change in my life this coming year...first and foremost, removing some of the stone walls in my life that are keeping me from being all that God wants me to be. I know change must begin with me so I need to get to it.
I will look forward to 2010 with a positive attitude, working to accept the things I cannot change as I work more diligently to change the things I can. Peace, joy and love my friends.
2009 is almost over. It's been both a year of joy and one of sadness. Joy first: I took my first airplane trip!! Yep, I finally got on an airplane and flew to Florida with my daughter to visit my brother and my father. We had a great time. It was so enjoyable. Would I fly again? Hum-m, I'm thinking about it. The birth of my adorable grandson, Jeremiah, (Little J) on March 30th was truly the highlight of 2009. He is such a delight and has captured our hearts from day one. He brings laughter and joy into my life.
Went to see the musical Chicago with the girls at the Bay City Players. It was so much fun, didn't realize how much I needed that night out. Struggled with trying to lose weight, which will be top of my New Year's Resolutions again for 2010. I've lost the same 30lbs four times--that's 120 pounds my friends! I know that one of these times I will actually lick it, lose the weight and keep it off. All things are possible with Christ! I wonder if the cereal diet really works?
Read the book "The Shack" this year -- everyone was talking about it so I decided that I needed to read it. I gained a lot of insight from the book and came away with a new insight about God the Father. It's a book that gives you a lot to think about.
I endured some physical hardships over the summer and into the fall. Nothing that cannot be overcome with a trip to Florida this winter!
In May my nephew (who is the same age as my son) died unexpectedly. I am so glad that Heidi and I got to spend some time with him back in February. In August a good friend from church had a heart attack and died -- he was 64. When people your age go home to be with the Lord, it makes you think about your own life and the path you are on. I'm trying to take some time every day to stop and smell the roses.
In September I traveled with my brother, my father and my daughter, to PA for a surprise 85th birthday party for my Aunt Lila and 94th party for my father. My cousin, Bonnie, graciously hosted the family, feeding 35 people every night for four days! Aunt Lila has dementia now and doesn't always remember who I am, but I always remember who she is -- the one who has been praying me through and now, it's my turn to pray Aunt Lila through!
In October, my high school friend, Mary, lost her 9-year battle with cancer. Mary was one of the most courageous people I have ever known and has truly been an inspiration to me. She said in her obituary, "Let the change you want to see in the world begin with you." She would always say that whenever we would talk, too. And so, in honor of Mary's memory I want to bring about some change in my life this coming year...first and foremost, removing some of the stone walls in my life that are keeping me from being all that God wants me to be. I know change must begin with me so I need to get to it.
I will look forward to 2010 with a positive attitude, working to accept the things I cannot change as I work more diligently to change the things I can. Peace, joy and love my friends.
Friday, December 4, 2009
December 4, 2009
he Magic of Christmas
Remember when you were a child? The magic of Christmas seemed to appear over night. One morning you woke up, the Christmas cookies were baked, the candy made, the tree was up and looked so awesome and you thought to yourself -- WOW, it's magic!
Now that I'm an adult, I realize just how much work my parents, especially my mother, put into making Christmas a magical time of the year for my me and my brothers. Now, I'm the mom and the grandma! And it's my turn to bake the cookies, trim the tree, buy the presents! I'm the one who makes magic for my family, especially for my 8 month old grandson (who'll be almost 9 months come Christmas) -- and what fun I am having. :)
If you find yourself caught up in the busyness of Christmas, look at the holiday through the eyes of a child, the excitement and merriment that dance in their eyes, the joy on their faces; for children think not of what is past or even what is to come, they simply enjoy the present moment. It is never better to be a child than at Christmas!
Happy holidays, friends and God Bless us everyone!
he Magic of Christmas
Remember when you were a child? The magic of Christmas seemed to appear over night. One morning you woke up, the Christmas cookies were baked, the candy made, the tree was up and looked so awesome and you thought to yourself -- WOW, it's magic!
Now that I'm an adult, I realize just how much work my parents, especially my mother, put into making Christmas a magical time of the year for my me and my brothers. Now, I'm the mom and the grandma! And it's my turn to bake the cookies, trim the tree, buy the presents! I'm the one who makes magic for my family, especially for my 8 month old grandson (who'll be almost 9 months come Christmas) -- and what fun I am having. :)
If you find yourself caught up in the busyness of Christmas, look at the holiday through the eyes of a child, the excitement and merriment that dance in their eyes, the joy on their faces; for children think not of what is past or even what is to come, they simply enjoy the present moment. It is never better to be a child than at Christmas!
Happy holidays, friends and God Bless us everyone!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Connie Hawkins, published author, teacher and motivational speaker. Contact Connie at authorconnielhawkins.com
Fans and friends have suggested I create a blog page to share my thoughts and various writings from time to time. You ask...I aim to please!
November 16, 2009
Everyone asks me how it is that I became a writer. (OK, not everyone asks but some people do ask). I never quite know how to answer such a question. I guess I was born a writer. I've always been...I know no other way of life. I remember Mom telling me "boil down and do your homework, boil down and write that essay."
I Never quite understood that statement. For me it was harder to boil down (because I didn't know what it meant, then it was/is to write. To me writing is as big of an adventure as reading. Put a pen in my hand and it takes me where I want to go. There is a sort of magic in the written word; I hope over the course of the next few weeks to bring some of my magic, through the use of the written word, to you...so, climb aboard the merry-go-round with me -- let's take a ride!
On Becoming a Grandma!
It’s been a long wait, but I’m finally a grandmother and I’m loving it! Little J, (short for Jeremiah) will be 8 months old on November 30th. What can I say he’s absolutely adorable and smart, too. I discovered that when a baby is born a grandma is made. This is what I have learned so far about being a grandma:
1) I’ve turned into my mother! I am now ‘Grandma’.
2) It’s wonderful to be a mom but it’s even more wonderful to be a grandma because it's all play.
3) Grandma’s get to spoil and pamper. We can feed the little ones full of sugar and then send them home! But of course, I would never do that.
4) Grandma's can watch them spit up and smile.
5) We can listen to them make those little ‘grunting’ noises and quickly hand them back to Daddy.
6) We don’t have to worry about grouchy, fussy and teething. We just have to love unconditionally with no strings attached.
7) It only takes a moment when that little finger curls around yours for you to realize you are madly in love (again).
8) A new baby is a new beginning. It makes you realize the importance of past generations, the value of family history. You suddenly appreciate your own grandparents and the things you learned from them and you are anxious to past down those same stories to your grandchildren.
9) Having a new baby to think about makes you realize you aren’t too old to dream and hope; suddenly you have dreams and hopes that hopefully you will get to share with your grandchildren.
10) I’m still learning the difference between a smile and gas – but I’m getting there.
Some grandma’s will tell you that having grandchildren makes you feel young again – I think it depends on just how young a grandmother you are. I’m in my 60s’s and already realizing that spending more than an hour at a time with grandchildren quickly ages you. But at the same time I also realize that a home without a couple of grandma’s in it isn’t all that much fun.
Little J is a lucky lad, he has Grandma Connie and his Nana and we are all going to have so much fun Carl Sandburg one of my favorite poets wrote that, “A baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.” I truly believe it. Grandchildren also mean that God’s not done with us yet. We still have lots to do! We have grandchildren to love! Yep, grandchildren are a great comfort in your old age and they help you reach it faster, too! Tomorrow's my day with Little J -- can't wait!
(You can find Connie's books online through Barnes & Noble, on Amazon.com, or order directly from the author by contacting her at PO Box 1171, Bay City, MI 48706.)
Fans and friends have suggested I create a blog page to share my thoughts and various writings from time to time. You ask...I aim to please!
November 16, 2009
Everyone asks me how it is that I became a writer. (OK, not everyone asks but some people do ask). I never quite know how to answer such a question. I guess I was born a writer. I've always been...I know no other way of life. I remember Mom telling me "boil down and do your homework, boil down and write that essay."
I Never quite understood that statement. For me it was harder to boil down (because I didn't know what it meant, then it was/is to write. To me writing is as big of an adventure as reading. Put a pen in my hand and it takes me where I want to go. There is a sort of magic in the written word; I hope over the course of the next few weeks to bring some of my magic, through the use of the written word, to you...so, climb aboard the merry-go-round with me -- let's take a ride!
On Becoming a Grandma!
It’s been a long wait, but I’m finally a grandmother and I’m loving it! Little J, (short for Jeremiah) will be 8 months old on November 30th. What can I say he’s absolutely adorable and smart, too. I discovered that when a baby is born a grandma is made. This is what I have learned so far about being a grandma:
1) I’ve turned into my mother! I am now ‘Grandma’.
2) It’s wonderful to be a mom but it’s even more wonderful to be a grandma because it's all play.
3) Grandma’s get to spoil and pamper. We can feed the little ones full of sugar and then send them home! But of course, I would never do that.
4) Grandma's can watch them spit up and smile.
5) We can listen to them make those little ‘grunting’ noises and quickly hand them back to Daddy.
6) We don’t have to worry about grouchy, fussy and teething. We just have to love unconditionally with no strings attached.
7) It only takes a moment when that little finger curls around yours for you to realize you are madly in love (again).
8) A new baby is a new beginning. It makes you realize the importance of past generations, the value of family history. You suddenly appreciate your own grandparents and the things you learned from them and you are anxious to past down those same stories to your grandchildren.
9) Having a new baby to think about makes you realize you aren’t too old to dream and hope; suddenly you have dreams and hopes that hopefully you will get to share with your grandchildren.
10) I’m still learning the difference between a smile and gas – but I’m getting there.
Some grandma’s will tell you that having grandchildren makes you feel young again – I think it depends on just how young a grandmother you are. I’m in my 60s’s and already realizing that spending more than an hour at a time with grandchildren quickly ages you. But at the same time I also realize that a home without a couple of grandma’s in it isn’t all that much fun.
Little J is a lucky lad, he has Grandma Connie and his Nana and we are all going to have so much fun Carl Sandburg one of my favorite poets wrote that, “A baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.” I truly believe it. Grandchildren also mean that God’s not done with us yet. We still have lots to do! We have grandchildren to love! Yep, grandchildren are a great comfort in your old age and they help you reach it faster, too! Tomorrow's my day with Little J -- can't wait!
(You can find Connie's books online through Barnes & Noble, on Amazon.com, or order directly from the author by contacting her at PO Box 1171, Bay City, MI 48706.)
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