Dear Reader:

(*If you are counting and wondering where is Eloise’s First Christmas baby pillow photo…I ran into 2 problems…this year is Eloise’s official first Christmas since she was born last year on New Year’s Eve and there hasn’t been time to take a Christmas photo yet with the wedding and so many other family gatherings… secondly her little pillow was supposed to arrive yesterday but sadly it didn’t….but she is in the picture in spirit and soon Boo Boo will have the fifth pillow on the chair!)

Yesterday as I read several emails, texts, and iPhone stories… I found myself drawn several different directions..all wonderful choices. So when it came time to write today’s blog I just couldn’t choose which way to go with an idea for the blog…it was like my mind was a really big  smorgasboard filled with warm, nostalgic feelings and memories. It was just too hard to settle on one delicious thought…so today I am going to share different “desserts” of Christmas wonders with you.

The first wonder of God’s love came in the form of photos of rare white reindeer. Yes, you heard me…white reindeer. And from what  scientists have discovered, it is not albino traits but another rare condition…one that doesn’t affect the eyes negatively.

All I know is that they are beautiful , lovable and filled with personality! The vast majority of these remarkable reindeer (from the article) have been discovered in Finland, though some photos were taken in Sweden and some even in Mongolia. These reindeer filled me with delights of wonder!

Anne, you will appreciate this next photo…remind you of anyone?

* Driving on an Irish country road that was quickly taken over by Henrettia, the ‘leader of the pack’ Holstein with an attitude?

Okay let’s look at another item on the ‘wonder’ smorgasboard! When it comes to Swedish candies I have discovered the gold-wrapped foil chocolates are always the yummiest. And it was this thought that lead me back to one of my favorite Christmas short stories…(I posted it last year in December remembering my brother and mother’s birthdays along with all the new generation of family birthdays…a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas)

Adaptation of the short story: “The Gold Wrapping Paper”

There once was a man who worked very hard just to keep food on the table for his family. One particular year, a few days before Christmas, he punished his little five-year-old daughter after learning that she had used up the family’s only roll of nice-looking gold wrapping paper.

What angered him even more was that she had wasted all the wrapping paper on one simple little shoe box covering it several times with the paper. He also was upset trying to figure out what she bought to put in it and where she had gotten any money.

On Christmas morning the father was  taken back somewhat when his little girl picked up the heavily wrapped shoe box and gave it to him. “Merry Christmas daddy…this present is for you.”

As the father started to open it he was somewhat humbled by his over-reaction to the wrapping paper incident days earlier as he  now smiled down at his little daughter.

But then when he opened it…his anger got the best of him again. It was empty. What a waste of wrapping paper for NOTHING! He shook his head in disgust and asked where the present was and why it was empty.

The little girl looked up at him with sad tears rolling from her eyes and whispered: “Daddy, it’s not empty. I blew kisses in it until it was all full.”

It took a second for the father to understand and then when he did he too, began to cry with joy for his little girl who understood the real meaning of Christmas… much better than he ever had.

“And wonders of His love…and wonders of His love.”

It is told that the father kept this little gold box by his bed for all the years of his life. Whenever he was discouraged or faced difficult problems, he would open the box, take out an imaginary kiss, and remember the love of this beautiful child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each of us has been given an invisible golden box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family, friends and God. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold. (Short Christmas Stories)

So until tomorrow…one last ‘wonder of love’…a scar… or as Ann Graves emailed me yesterday (commenting on a blog post quote from last fall a year ago –  10-18-17)…”A Scar is Born”

“There is something beautiful about all scars of whatever nature. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed and healed, beautiful life has continued .” Harry Crews

Here’s wishing you a beautiful scar for Christmas!

• Thank you Ann…I will happily wear my scar with honor and be so thankful to be able to get out of this medical situation with just a scar to show for all the love and friendship bestowed on me by so many….the best kind of scar…“Scar of Wonder”! 

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Birthdays! December 7 was Vickie’s birthday (she tried to keep it a secret) and little Ryker’s (Luke’s and Chelsey’s little nephew) birthday was yesterday….Enjoy the wonder of the moment!

The wedding is over….the youngest of the Temple sisters is married and Whitney was just stunning….as well as the Dingle clan. I know you all had fun….travel safely home with all the weather issues. Boo Boo will be waiting. *Marcia and Bruce…Congratulations on your last wedding….I know you are filled with happiness mixed with relief…you did it! Merry Christmas! Now go home and sleep for a few days! An early Christmas present for both of you!