happy_tiger
Well-known member
@Sabre said:
aka XXXX Island (Pumpkin Island , look it up )
Merry christmas
- Thread starter tiger_jim
- Start date
aka XXXX Island (Pumpkin Island , look it up )
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
dedicated to the people who hate Christmas
It’s just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past ten years or so.
It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas–oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it--overspending... the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma---the gifts given in desperation because you couldn’t think of anything else. Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way.
Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler’s ears.
It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn’t acknowledge defeat. Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, “I wish just one of them could have won,” he said. “They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them.” Mike loved kids - all kids - and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse. That’s when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years.
For each Christmas, I followed the tradition--one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on.
The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.
As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn’t end there. You see, we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.
Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing to take down the envelope. Mike’s spirit, like the Christmas spirit will always be with us.
It’s just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past ten years or so.
It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas–oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it--overspending... the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma---the gifts given in desperation because you couldn’t think of anything else. Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way.
Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler’s ears.
It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn’t acknowledge defeat. Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, “I wish just one of them could have won,” he said. “They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them.” Mike loved kids - all kids - and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse. That’s when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years.
For each Christmas, I followed the tradition--one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on.
The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.
As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn’t end there. You see, we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.
Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing to take down the envelope. Mike’s spirit, like the Christmas spirit will always be with us.
grrrrrrrrrr
New member
@AmericanHistoryX said:
Outstanding !!
Sorry to hear about passing.
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I can't stand the lead up to Christmas. The holiday has lost it's true meaning amongst commericalisation and materialism, and that in turn brings the worst out in people and I think that is sad (and I'm an avowed atheist.)
I've had jack of it this year and I'm going to ask those around me next year not to buy presents for me, and if they really want to do something for me, donate whatever they were looking to spend on me to the Victor Chang Cardiac Research institute. Helping an underfunded organisation help further development of cardiac techniques for diseases there are no cures for will save lives and that in itself is a greater gift than anything else I can possibly imagine.
I will just enjoy catching up with my family and the in-laws and having a few beers and a laugh. Togetherness and spending time with those that make up the fabric of your life is what is important. Not rampant consumption.
I've had jack of it this year and I'm going to ask those around me next year not to buy presents for me, and if they really want to do something for me, donate whatever they were looking to spend on me to the Victor Chang Cardiac Research institute. Helping an underfunded organisation help further development of cardiac techniques for diseases there are no cures for will save lives and that in itself is a greater gift than anything else I can possibly imagine.
I will just enjoy catching up with my family and the in-laws and having a few beers and a laugh. Togetherness and spending time with those that make up the fabric of your life is what is important. Not rampant consumption.
foreveratiger
New member
Sorry to hear American History thanks for sharing .
Look if i'm being honest , i'm not Religious i believe in what i see , but i respect those that want to make out that they are Religious .
My in Laws are Italians and when my Father in Law's Dad passed away 10 years ago and the Priest said at the time to him "$500.00 for the Mass tonight" i was standing right there when he said it and wanted to Jab him one right there . what happened to a DONATION to the Church.
How many Women get Married in White that are Virgins ?
I worked with a Tunisian Muslim man that would do the Ramadan but played the Pokies and would have a Beer , so go figure ? Sorry but it doesn't wash with me .
I suppose Christmas in our Family is just a time of getting together good Food , Drink and reflect on the Tigers year and what we have to look forward to the next. :laughing:
Mum and Dad always made sure we got presents but it was more so we were not missing out like other kids , we give the kiddies in the Family presents but not us Adults.
So when i say Merry Christmas it's more along the lines of having a good time with your loved ones as that is the time of the year where most people are fortunate enough to be around there loved ones .
But i know so many people that hate Christmas.
Look if i'm being honest , i'm not Religious i believe in what i see , but i respect those that want to make out that they are Religious .
My in Laws are Italians and when my Father in Law's Dad passed away 10 years ago and the Priest said at the time to him "$500.00 for the Mass tonight" i was standing right there when he said it and wanted to Jab him one right there . what happened to a DONATION to the Church.
How many Women get Married in White that are Virgins ?
I worked with a Tunisian Muslim man that would do the Ramadan but played the Pokies and would have a Beer , so go figure ? Sorry but it doesn't wash with me .
I suppose Christmas in our Family is just a time of getting together good Food , Drink and reflect on the Tigers year and what we have to look forward to the next. :laughing:
Mum and Dad always made sure we got presents but it was more so we were not missing out like other kids , we give the kiddies in the Family presents but not us Adults.
So when i say Merry Christmas it's more along the lines of having a good time with your loved ones as that is the time of the year where most people are fortunate enough to be around there loved ones .
But i know so many people that hate Christmas.
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
forevertiger - thanks for your pm. Its all cool brother. Im sure you're a top guy. You're definately smart. There is more to life than words. Merry Christmas to you and all your family for whatever its worth. Thank you for the interplay & lovely to meet you.
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AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
in fact FT life is more than the sum of it's words
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foreveratiger
New member
@AmericanHistoryX said:
Spot on . As a Teenager Dad always used to say to me : "After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done".
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
@Tigermama said:
its all about love in the end
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AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
@foreveratiger said:
like father - like son
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@foreveratiger said:
The peace on earth referred to at Christmas is the peace between God and mankind, through the birth of Jesus, not peace with each other. Unfortunately, there is still no peace between men and men and there probably never will be, in this world :frowning:
foreveratiger
New member
@AmericanHistoryX said:
Don't know about the smart bit but i'll take it :mrgreen: .
When you say for whatever it's worth ? i don't celebrate it in terms of Jesus Christ and the true definition of Christmas. For e.g If i'm spending Good Friday with my in Laws and they always eat Fish that Day , i'm very respectful of that and go along with it .
As i said earlier if there was no such thing as Christmas i would still get together with my loved ones and friends and have a Feast , spending time together reflecting on the year.
After all the true definition of Christmas is commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, as a religious and cultural celebration , but i don't believe in God . I believe in spending time with your loved ones and giving my kids Pressies for the awesome School report they bring each year :wink:
I just get the :bash with the ones that knock on your door and try talking to you about the Bible.
I believe you be kind to one another and treat people how you would like to be treated , if it means being Religious helps you through life with it ? so be it . Whatever floats your Boat . I respect all Religions just don't try to brain wash me with your Religion and ideas .
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
@Flippedy said:
All colors, nations & creeds have good & evil, right & wrong, constructive & destructive outcomes. Equilibrium reigns. Once you can accept this you will find peace.
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foreveratiger
New member
@Flippedy said:
Flip i have no doubt that Wars are caused by 3 things Money , Power and RELIGION.
How can these extremist be fighting for there God , does the Koran say to Behead people ? :unamused:
My apologies here i'm going of topic .
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
you forgot CONTROL FT
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happy_tiger
Well-known member
@foreveratiger said:
In a hundred years we will be fighting wars over oil ,fossil fuels, water, food and resources
The need to survive
Not a pretty picture
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