Grandma lay in the hospital bed, a shadow of the vital, energetic woman she had been just a year ago. Her strong hands that were endlessly involved in her family’s life, providing, comforting, and disciplining, now lay listlessly on the bed cover, thin and fragile. Eyes that always had been sparkling with life and occasionally sparking with irritation when one of her grandchildren had been “acting the fool” now were clouded with pain and fatigue. Her famous silver cloud of hair that she always wore in a short halo around her head? Long gone in the garbage heap of life, along with her energy and zest for life.

Recently, two of my cousins came to see us and we really enjoyed the visit. Eddie Abernathy and sister Bonnie are both graduates of HHS and although they have been gone for many years, they still have many friends and relatives in Holdenville. They are the children of the late Gene and Zula Abernathy. —PP—

Christmas is always changing. The biblical story never changes but your story is always changing. How we celebrate and view the story of Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus may change throughout life. We view the story one way as children but then the story matures as we age.

It’s arrived. The Holiday of holidays for many.

As Christmas carols were sung and Christmas bells rung, Henry thought back on two tremendous tragedies that darkened his holiday spirit. His loving wife, Frances, had been fatally burned in an accident in their home. Then his son, Charles, had been severely wounded in the war.

The old man is sitting on his front porch is his favorite rocking chair and talking to a his freshly minted twentyone-year-old grandson – attempting to encourage him to think things over clearly before deciding. To make decisions for his life based on clear facts, a living God, and real love. Instead of impulse, illogical dreams, and irrational hopes.

Each week the first thing I read in the paper is John Bill’s column. They are all great, but his Thanksgiving column is one of my alltime favorites. John Bill is a life-long friend and a multi-talented individual. Our readers look forward to his weekly column. We appreciate him so very much.

Each year we receive many letters to Santa. I always enjoy reading them.