Our Patriarch’s Final Family Gathering: The Duct-Taped-Poinsettia Christmas

There comes a time at which the Christmases of years past tend to fade into a blur. But sometimes there is one that will be remembered and cherished for all time. My father’s last Christmas at home went horribly wrong, then ended up being extraordinarily special.

About a dozen years ago, my father was in rapid decline with a cruel disease that had greatly diminished his ability to walk and to speak. We knew that the need for 24-hour skilled nursing care was drawing near. My mother, along with hired part-time caretakers and nearby family members, worked to make his life comfortable and to keep him in the house as long as possible.

It was a little before Christmas when my father found the words to say, “It’s time,” lovingly helping the family make the difficult decision as to when we should seek out a nursing facility. He was a generous, compassionate man who even at this awful time sought to give what he could to help his wife and family. His assent to this final move was the gift he offered the family. A nice nearby facility that my mother could visit every day was found, and the move was scheduled for January.

Caregiving is also tough. My mother, who might otherwise have been enjoying her golden years with travel and leisure, was instead a round-the-clock caregiver who was extremely tired after several years in this role.

But there would still be one last Christmas at home! All of their children and grandchildren would be there, including those who lived in other cities, and who had started making their own family Christmas traditions. We all made plans to converge on our hometown to celebrate one last all-family Christmas at my parents’ house.

My mother’s excitement about this Christmas gathering gave her strength as she planned for the wonderful meals and the time we would all spend together. The out-of-town family members were scheduled to arrive on December 23.

But things went very bad late on the night of December 22.

My dad had a medical emergency, which caused him to take a bad fall. My mother called for an ambulance, and then called me and my wife, who lived in the same city. Before we could get to her house, the ambulance had already taken my father away, and my mother had made the decision to drive in her own car to meet the ambulance at the hospital.

Her night got even worse. On the way to the hospital, by herself, after midnight, my mother’s car had a flat tire, forcing her to pull over to the side of the highway. My wife and I diverted, and were now heading to where my mother was broken down, when she called and told us a police officer had pulled up behind her, and upon hearing her story he kindly offered her a ride to the hospital. My wife and I redirected again, arriving at the hospital shortly thereafter, where my wife comforted my mother and attended to the hospital intake ordeal, while I left to go attend to the abandoned car.

By the time the rest of the family started arriving the next day, my father was checked into a hospital room, and his injuries were being attended to.

Discharge would not happen until after Christmas, therefore there was not going to be a final Christmas at home.

A constant stream of family members was coming and going from his hospital room over the next 36 hours, and as the afternoon of Christmas Eve wore on, a decision was made for the entire family to celebrate Christmas Eve in his hospital room.

Gifts from my parents to the grandchildren would be brought in to the room, as would gifts being given to my mother and father. They would be opened on Christmas Eve in the hospital room. A few decorations would also be brought in, and although there wouldn’t be a Christmas tree in the room, a big, beautiful poinsettia from my mother’s house would be brought over.

As dusk settled in on Christmas Eve, the family converged on the hospital, with the grandkids hauling in presents from the cars, and the women heading in with trimmings to decorate the room.

But during transport, some presents had shifted and fallen on the poinsettia, knocking it over and breaking several stems. The broken poinsettia was left in the car.

With the family all assembled in the hospital room, my mother inquired about the poinsettia, and she was told of its fate. While disappointed that this Christmas was not playing out as she had envisioned, until now she had stoically persisted in addressing the challenges. After all that had occurred in the past 48 hours, the broken poinsettia was such a minor incident, but it was one setback too many. “Can’t anything go right?” my mother asked as she started to cry.

The daughters-in-law led her out to the corridor to console her, while others sang some Christmas songs for my father. Meanwhile, the two oldest grandsons headed back out to the car and grabbed the various poinsettia parts. They brought the pieces back into the hospital, and then found some duct tape at a nursing station with which they taped the broken branches to the original stalks.

The boys triumphantly brought the taped-together poinsettia into the hospital room, and this time it was my father’s turn to be emotional. First there were a few tears, followed by his hearty laugh, as the boys showed off their poinsettia repairs. It was a laugh we all knew well, but which we hadn’t heard much recently.

The family was now all back in the room and my mother was beaming with pride at the love her children and grandchildren were showing to her, to my father, and to each other. Presents were opened. Carols were sung. There was lots of hugging and abundant laughter.

At the center of it all was a beloved man whose earthly race was almost over, and a poinsettia held together by duct tape, a poinsettia which will always be a cherished memory to the family assembled in that hospital room.

[buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com]

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Merry Christmas

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 25, 2023 11:01 AM (lwOKI)

2
Was Dave in Texas' "Crap Tree" essay posted here this year?

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 25, 2023 11:01 AM (xG4kz)

3 Onto content first

Posted by: Skip at December 25, 2023 11:04 AM (fwDg9)

4 Getting dusty in here, Buck.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 25, 2023 11:06 AM (tkR6S)

5 There really is nothing Duct Tape can't fix.

Merry Christmas, Buck. And same to the rest of you morons.

Posted by: Fringe at December 25, 2023 11:06 AM (XUbQl)

6 New thread. Time to make the Mimosa's. Using Grand Marnier instead of usual Peach Schnapps.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2023 11:06 AM (ju2Fy)

7 Well written, Buck. And destined for the family archives.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at December 25, 2023 11:08 AM (NBVIP)

8 Merry Christmas, Morons and 'Ettes, and all sailors at sea!

Buck, that's a beautiful telling of a beautiful Christmas. Brutal, yet beautiful.

And, I'll second Krebs' mention of Dave in Texas' "Crap Tree" essay. That's one for the ages, and needs be perennial here at this, and every Christmas time.

I'm blessed in home, hearth and health, herself hasn't shot me yet in coming on to 19 years, and the cats still think my lap is THE PLACE to be.

And to honor my Jewish friends, I'm going to have French Toast with Maple Syrup, sometime today. And some Kosher Bacon, too.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HORDE! CHEERS!

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at December 25, 2023 11:08 AM (e6UQI)

9 Great story, Buck. Brought a tear to my eye. Thanks for sharing & Merry Christmas!

Posted by: Dino58 at December 25, 2023 11:09 AM (LVPff)

10 Good story Buck.
In a not quite as tragic, as said before my mom was going to have Christmas dinner at their new residence having moved not much more than month ago but is in the hospital today.

Posted by: Skip at December 25, 2023 11:09 AM (fwDg9)

11 Beautiful story, Buck. Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2023 11:11 AM (ju2Fy)

12
Another disjointed Christmas here at Schloss Hadrian. With everything going on, we have no feast scheduled and Her Majesty hadn't even bought anything for me. She feels bad, but it means little to me. By the time you're 29, presents aren't important. All either of us want is a solid 8 hours of sleep.

Some years ago, we were trying to work out with the vet when to come out to give all the dogs their exam and shots. The only day that worked was Christmas. It didn't bother us, we take care of the guys every day. It didn't bother him, he's an Orthodox Jew. So he came out and we made lunch for him. Not Chinese.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 25, 2023 11:12 AM (MoZTd)

13 Nice (sad) story Buck.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 25, 2023 11:12 AM (lwOKI)

14 And some Kosher Bacon, too.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HORDE! CHEERS!

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX
Posted by: Jim at December 25, 2023 11:08 AM (e6UQI)

I get mine at the halal market

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 25, 2023 11:13 AM (lwOKI)

15 Great story, Buck. I know just how that poinsettia felt. It's been a duct tape year for me.

Posted by: Muldoon at December 25, 2023 11:13 AM (991eG)

16 I have a snotty nose and this place is full if dust suddenly.

Posted by: Eromero at December 25, 2023 11:14 AM (hhFiC)

17 Dave in Texas' "Crap Tree" essay:

https://michaelscomments.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/
the-crap-tree-6/

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2023 11:14 AM (ju2Fy)

18 ...It didn't bother him, he's an Orthodox Jew. So he came out and we made lunch for him. Not Chinese.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 25, 2023 11:12 AM (MoZTd)

Was likely a lovely serving of French Toast with Maple Syrup, and a side of crispy, Kosher Bacon? Tell me it was so. Lie to me if you must!

*raises covfefe mug in honor of Delilah*

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at December 25, 2023 11:14 AM (e6UQI)

19 very dusty, but with a smile too

Merry Christmas to all!

Posted by: barbarausa at December 25, 2023 11:15 AM (enw9G)

20 Morning all. Merry Christmas Horde.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 25, 2023 11:16 AM (GIBR7)

21 DAVE's CRAP TREE ... Typing these words unearthed the following article at WORDPRESS ... Not sure if this is the essay Krebs remembers (I been an AOS visitor only a year or two) ... Merry Merry to all!
http://tinyurl.com/mvk7m5ra

Posted by: Kathy at December 25, 2023 11:16 AM (LPNLk)

22 Dave in Texas' "Crap Tree" essay:

https://is.gd/aKLVWS

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2023 11:17 AM (ju2Fy)

23 Wonderful story, Buck. Thanks.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at December 25, 2023 11:18 AM (V8he0)

24 Ahhhh, Christmas. A lovely Christmas song that, in some families, would be the family anthem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srHM2sIll68

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at December 25, 2023 11:21 AM (iODuv)

25 I don't want to be a downer but Poinsettias are very toxic to pets. Nobody should lose a beloved pet over a pretty plant.

Posted by: SamIam at December 25, 2023 11:22 AM (oasF3)

26 It was a cool story, though. And I understand no pets were endangered here. My warning was for others.

Posted by: SamIam at December 25, 2023 11:23 AM (oasF3)

27 New thread. Time to make the Mimosa's. Using Grand Marnier instead of usual Peach Schnapps.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2023 11:06 AM (ju2Fy)

thought mimosas were champagne and oj

Posted by: BignJames at December 25, 2023 11:23 AM (AwYPR)

28 But there would still be one last Christmas at home! All of their children and grandchildren would be there, including those who lived in other cities, and who had started making their own family Christmas traditions. We all made plans to converge on our hometown to celebrate one last all-family Christmas at my parents’ house.

Would have given anything for this. Christmas fell apart somewhere around 1972 when family members started moving off. One aunt and uncle and cousins moved to San Antonio and Grandma went with them. One aunt, uncle and cousins moved to Florida. By 1976 the last aunt & cousin was in Seattle. Christmas has never been the same.

And no, you can never go back.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 25, 2023 11:26 AM (GIBR7)

29 Well technically adding Grand Marnier would make it a Grand Mimosa, I guess.

Champagne, OJ, Grand Marnier (or Peach Schnapps)

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2023 11:27 AM (ju2Fy)

30 That's a beautiful story, Buck.

I had a poinsettia misadventure a few weeks ago. I'd arranged 6-packs of soda on the floor and placed the poinsettia plant in the middle, so it wouldn't topple. Sadly, a bag with a carton of cat food rolled onto it and broke off a stem.

So I took the stem with its beautiful flower and put it in water. It's as beautiful today as it was when I put it there. Who knew that poinsettias are such excellent "cut" flowers?

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at December 25, 2023 11:28 AM (Mzdiz)

31 I don't want to be a downer but Poinsettias are very toxic to pets. Nobody should lose a beloved pet over a pretty plant.
Posted by: SamIam
---------

In (mumble) years of pet ownership never had one try and eat our poinsettias.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2023 11:29 AM (ju2Fy)

32 I've got some Grand Marnier...no schnapps...no oj...I'll just have another coffee w/off brand khalua.

Posted by: BignJames at December 25, 2023 11:30 AM (AwYPR)

33 Halleluiah Corus when the vault opens.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 25, 2023 11:32 AM (lwOKI)

34 What a great story. Thanks for sharing that with us. My parents were the opposite, my father acting as full time caregiver to my mother for the last two years of her life in which she was wheelchair and bedridden and not very mobile. She passed relatively quickly though, just about a week in hospice so that was a blessing. More than four years later my father has been moved through several levels of assisted living, now at the highest level of care for dementia. It is hard to see him like this as he approaches his 89th birthday. But he still recognizes his children and grandchildren for the most part and somehow survived a broken hip one year ago which required surgery. Tough old bird.

Posted by: Will formerly in CA at December 25, 2023 11:32 AM (Q4p7a)

35
*raises covfefe mug in honor of Delilah*

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

___________

Thank you. The caring by the Horde has been a great comfort to us. As are the babies. This is our third end-of-the-year litter, along with Rossak x Possum (born 12/19/97) and Titan x Lacey (born 12/27/04).

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 25, 2023 11:33 AM (MoZTd)

36 Try a splash of Grand Marnier in your coffee. Substitute for Kahlua.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2023 11:34 AM (ju2Fy)

37 Merry Christmas to all and to all a big HIYA !

Posted by: JT at December 25, 2023 11:37 AM (T4tVD)

38 Grand Marnier Cafe

The orange liqueur works particularly well with dark roast coffees, or even with a shot of espresso over ice if you're looking for an afternoon pick-me-up.

https://is.gd/KLvlYn

(CD Kitchen)

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2023 11:38 AM (ju2Fy)

39 What a wonderful family story! In its unique way, it's a lovely remembrance of Christmas with your mom and dad.

Thank you for sharing.

Posted by: L - They don't have to outrun the bear, they only need to outrun us - for now at December 25, 2023 11:38 AM (GshMh)

40 My mother kept all the ornaments we made as kids in a shoebox. When my dad passed away she quite putting up a largeish artificial tree and went with a tabletop tree.

And every Thanksgiving we'd go down to see her after dad passed she'd ask me to bring down the "Charlie Brown tree" and the box of hand made ornaments. My wife, and mom would spend an hour making the little tree "just so."

The tree and the box of ornaments was forgotten when my mom died a few years ago. Nobody thought to look for the shoebox in the attic as we cleaned out the place.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 25, 2023 11:40 AM (Q4IgG)

41 See!

Duct tape can fix anything!

Awesome story, thanks.

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 25, 2023 11:41 AM (HFJUU)

42 Looks like my egg casserole has more chorizo than egg mixture. Which works out well since daughter made a spinach quiche too.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2023 11:41 AM (ju2Fy)

43 Merry Christmas and God Bless, Horde.

Posted by: acethepug at December 25, 2023 11:42 AM (aYyMD)

44 thanks for sharing this, Buck. I may or may not have welled up a bit.

And Merry Christmas to the Horde. I love this stupid place.

Now to open presents. We were waiting for Son #2 to drag his butt out of bed.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Aspiring Codger at December 25, 2023 11:43 AM (T/Lqj)

45 Very meaningful reflection. Thanks for sharing your family remembrance of love.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2023 11:43 AM (RSbhh)

46 Such a beautiful memory, Buck.
Thank you for sharing.
Merry Christmas to you and your family and to all the Horde.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 25, 2023 11:47 AM (zfiQI)

47 Son in law is making ebelskivers, a Christmas tradition for his family.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 25, 2023 11:47 AM (sNc8Y)

48 Duct tape can fix anything!

Awesome story, thanks.
Posted by: Anna Puma at December 25, 2023 11:41 AM (HFJUU)

If your ducts are breaking down, you should probably replace them. Tape isn't going to do the job.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 25, 2023 11:48 AM (TcM3i)

49 Thanks, Buck! You're doing your mom and dad proud, passing this story along.

Posted by: m at December 25, 2023 11:49 AM (x7m+Z)

50 Merry Christmas, Horde!

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at December 25, 2023 11:50 AM (qCYb8)

51 If your ducts are breaking down, you should probably replace them. Tape isn't going to do the job.
Posted by: BurtTC at December 25, 2023 11:48 AM (TcM3i)

Wanna bet?

Posted by: Billy Bobs Hillbilly HVAC and Poodle Repair at December 25, 2023 11:51 AM (iODuv)

52 And it's awful dusty in here. Thanks for sharing that, Buck.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at December 25, 2023 11:51 AM (qCYb8)

53
That's a lovely story, Buck. God bless all the Hordians, even you, you, you and - yeah, with the big nose - you.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 25, 2023 11:51 AM (MoZTd)

54 ebelskivers

"These Danish pancakes are more like pancake pockets—fluffy, light-as-air rounds of dough with fillings as diverse as fruit preserves, Nutella, and cheese."

Yum!

Posted by: m at December 25, 2023 11:51 AM (x7m+Z)

55 At the center of it all was a beloved man whose earthly race was almost over, and a poinsettia held together by duct tape, a poinsettia which will always be a cherished memory to the family assembled in that hospital room.

AOSHQ is one of the best places on the interwebs. Merry Christmas, everyone!

For Ladyl, if she happens to drop in, here's The First Noel (with the descant) --

https://youtu.be/GW5_jqtITZg?si=eEkl2W_Nn2s5VUXJ

(This recording was done before I joined the Choir.)

Posted by: Half Dozen at December 25, 2023 11:51 AM (RQEBl)

56 Buck,

It sounds like you have the makings of a fine holiday movie there! Instead of the usual Hallmark "Handsome millionaire widower meets young divorcee at Christmas," you have a real family tale, complete with complications and difficulties. A fine inspiration to other families in trouble at any time of year.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 25, 2023 11:52 AM (omVj0)

57 Thank you for sharing that precious family remembrance with us.

Feliz Navidad!

Merry Christmas all!!

Posted by: Floridachick at December 25, 2023 11:52 AM (5sdDz)

58 If your ducts are breaking down, you should probably replace them. Tape isn't going to do the job.
Posted by: BurtTC at December 25, 2023

***
Life Hack: If it moves and it's not supposed to, duct tape; if it doesn't move and it should, WD-40.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 25, 2023 11:53 AM (omVj0)

59 New thread. Time to make the Mimosa's. Using Grand Marnier instead of usual Peach Schnapps.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2023 11:06 AM (ju2Fy)

thought mimosas were champagne and oj
Posted by: BignJames at December 25, 2023 11:23 AM

Or you can try what Donut Operator and Herrera call man-mosas. Take a few sips and top off the glass with vodka.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at December 25, 2023 11:54 AM (qCYb8)

60 Darn it. The fire must be smoking...

Posted by: creeper at December 25, 2023 11:55 AM (cTCuP)

61 Darn it. The fire must be smoking...
Posted by: creeper at December 25, 2023 11:55 AM (cTCuP)

Is it old enough ?

Posted by: JT at December 25, 2023 11:59 AM (T4tVD)

62 Hiya, JT!

Posted by: creeper at December 25, 2023 12:00 PM (cTCuP)

63 When making mimosas, be sure to use Brüt. Otherwise they are sickeningly sweet.
We also like to make non-alcoholic mimosas — what we have termed a “faux-mosa” — using ginger ale. Be sure to use Schweppes for the same reason.

Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline at December 25, 2023 12:00 PM (wu87C)

64 Merry Christmas morons.

Posted by: Montec at December 25, 2023 12:00 PM (bWsRe)

65 Wonderful remembrance, Buck. Thanks so much.

Hope everyone has something to celebrate this Christmas.

Posted by: KT at December 25, 2023 12:03 PM (rrtZS)

66 Hiya Creeper ! Merry Christmas !

Posted by: JT at December 25, 2023 12:03 PM (T4tVD)

67 Merry Christmas Buck. A beautiful story for the season

Posted by: Smell the Glove at December 25, 2023 12:06 PM (iYJk7)

68 God bless and love you Buck.

Happy Holidays to the horde.

Posted by: sven at December 25, 2023 12:08 PM (X0I7i)

69 Pscittice Phlebotomist has destroyed (destroy to enjoy) his pistachio (roasted unsalted in shell) stuffed green bell pepper, a red one so far ignored. Enjoying destroying wood chew toy (contractor wood shims glued into a box).

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in solidarity with the struggle to maintain Moron standards at December 25, 2023 12:09 PM (7ldzJ)

70 This one teared me up. Thanks for an astonishing story. Miracles happen all around us, if we have but the eyes to see them. God's plans are greater than anything we can or will ever imagine.

Celebrate the birth of the King of Kings; the Lord of Lords; our Holy Savior Jesus Christ.

Posted by: LCMS Rulz! at December 25, 2023 12:11 PM (TOe+Q)

71 17 Dave in Texas' "Crap Tree" essay:

https://michaelscomments.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/
the-crap-tree-6/
Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2023 11:14 AM (ju2Fy)

Thanks!

Posted by: m at December 25, 2023 12:12 PM (x7m+Z)

72 I gave away a bunch of tools when it became obvious I wasn't going to be able to use them anymore. I put together a small, well thought out bag of the usual stuff just for quicky apartment repairs where I didn't want to bother maintenance. I also have a plastic shoebox, with the "possibles". Duct tape and WD40 of course. An assortment of drywall screws in a couple spice bottles. Carpet seam adhesive (good stuff, holds up to steam cleaning). Some baling wire. A coil of para cord. A couple of blister packs of Krazy Glue from Dollar Tree. Hell, a feller could go into competition with Space X.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 25, 2023 12:13 PM (0EOe9)

73 There B a NOOD !

Posted by: JT at December 25, 2023 12:14 PM (T4tVD)

74 It sounds like you have the makings of a fine holiday movie there!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
--------

Duct Tape/PPM Industries would prolly finance it.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2023 12:14 PM (ju2Fy)

75 Thanks Buck. Dusty in here…

Posted by: Corona exile-back_in_exile at December 25, 2023 12:42 PM (URIv5)

76 Sweet story, Buck.

I'm posting this from the hospital room where my father is dying. I missed the church's Christmas Eve service. This morning, I watched on Zoom as my wife and two younger kids (20s) unwrapped presents, including some for me. Ain't technology grand.

Now if they could figure out how to transfer sweet rolls online ...

This will be a memorable Christmas, but one I'd rather not have had.

Posted by: Weak Geek at December 25, 2023 12:48 PM (xq+0P)

77 76 Posted by: Weak Geek at December 25, 2023 12:48 PM (xq+0P)

Stay string, enjoy the time remaining as much as you can and celebrate the lost life in those remaining.

We all take our turn in that bed.

Posted by: sven at December 25, 2023 01:04 PM (X0I7i)

78 Thanks, Buck, for making me cry my eyes out today......

Posted by: SSBN 656 (G) at December 25, 2023 01:28 PM (5AVMW)

79 Wow! Truly a God moment. Many thanks for sharing. Blessings to all.

Posted by: KungPow at December 25, 2023 01:56 PM (Rw2Dy)

80 Awfully dusty in here....

Posted by: Lord Whorfin at December 25, 2023 01:59 PM (SPYvh)

81 That was a beautiful story.

Thanks you.

Posted by: I M Simpleton at December 25, 2023 02:08 PM (cwq7b)

82 Yeah...pretty dusty, all right...

Posted by: Parker at December 25, 2023 02:49 PM (hJWil)

83 Thank you for sharing that.

Posted by: mr_jack at December 25, 2023 02:59 PM (LNPSJ)

84 But which day is Christmas?
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.a 2For one person has faith to eat all things, while another, who is weak, eats only vegetables. 3The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him. 4Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who observes a special day does so to the Lord;b he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Posted by: Nightfall at December 25, 2023 04:39 PM (jaMAd)

85 7For none of us lives to himself alone, and none of us dies to himself alone. 8If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9For this reason Christ died and returned to life, that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living10Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11It is written:“As surely as I live, says the Lord, very knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.”
12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

So chill out. Merry Christmas AND Happy Hanukah.

Posted by: Nightfall at December 25, 2023 04:41 PM (jaMAd)

86 This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it.

Posted by: Mike Rogan at December 25, 2023 05:04 PM (A+G1m)

87 That’s a beautiful story, Buck. My own father passed a few years ago after a long battle against pancreatic cancer. His final Christmas — his favorite holiday by far — was spent in hospice with my mother, my sister, and me attending to him. I remember lying next to him in his bed and softly singing “Silent Night” in an attempt to soothe him to sleep. To this day, when I hear Mannheim Steamroller’s soft, almost melancholy instrumental version, I tear up a little.

He was in the weekly prayer list here at the time, and I will always be grateful to other members of the Horde who spared a little room for him in their prayers.

Posted by: Caiwyn at December 25, 2023 05:07 PM (Bmy9A)

88 There's certainly a lot to know about this topic. I like all the
points you have made.

Posted by: Slot Paling Gacor at December 25, 2023 07:11 PM (Aqx7p)

89 Bless you and the family, Buck. I should be so lucky as your dad when my number v gets called. Merry Christmas

Posted by: Tonyp at December 25, 2023 07:48 PM (KQJKX)

90 Late to this but what a beautiful Christmas story Thank you and merry Christmas!

Posted by: LASue at December 25, 2023 08:38 PM (Ed8Zd)

91 It was a beautiful story.

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