“As seasons change, life changes!” ― Lily Amis

Welcome back to another hop, skip, and jump, through the mixed up maize of my life's experiences. That description could be a wee bit over the top, but, it is somewhat descriptive of the goings-on, as I see them. Thanks for showing up on the digital page where we can enjoy this one-way dialogue and visit. Just joking. It is Monday, January 6, 2020. Already! I was thinking I might actually see the new year escorted in this time. That was last Tuesday evening. I carried Mr. Bentley out around 9:30 p.m. and he was hyped up and on edge because of all the fireworks going off around us. We came back into the house and he headed for our bedroom where his sleeping kennel is located. He was ready for bed. I came back into the family room and was watching the news, and, then some lead up to the ball drop, and, next thing I know, it is 1:45 a.m. and my mouth is hurting. I must have been sleeping with it wide open. I was less than 10 minutes away from the ball drop. Now I'm left to wonder what may have crawled in and out of my mouth while I was visiting galaxies far far away. Another exciting New Year's celebration at our place. To be honest, that was not a new situation. I can't remember the last time we were up when the New Year arrived. Maybe Y-2K. I think everyone was up that year to see if the world was going to continue or not. Oh well, if I am around this next go around, maybe then. We will have to wait and see. (I was told the next morning that at midnight a war broke out in and around our place with all the celebratory shenanigans. I must have been in sound suppression mode because I didn't hear a thing.)

I see from the postings on the Facebook page for the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas (IBRBS), many of our fellow Santas are lamenting the end of the Christmas season. They just wish it could go on and on. Others are offering programs to help Santas find opportunities to ply their Jolly Old Elf trade throughout the year. As for me, I am very satisfied to see our uniforms sent for special cleaning, not to be used again until next September. We may do the Summer Santa program this upcoming July for a couple of local Chick-Fil-A's, but, other than that, we are on what we believe to be a well-earned sabbatical from our Santa and Mrs. Claus duties. You've heard me say many times how anyone who thinks this must be the easiest work in the world, well, they ought to give it a shot. Then they can come back and tell me what they think. While the financial rewards are useful, both the wife and I agree on the overwhelming sense of enjoyment we receive from being involved in bringing smiles and making memories. Paid, unpaid, it really doesn't matter. Being loved by children of all ages, hugged by those with mangled bodies and minds, and, seeing families joined together to make memories, well, we say one cannot put a price tag on that. And, that is why, at this time, we plan to do it all over again if the Lord gives us strength for another run in the 2020 season.

The holidays are times when we do remember our family heritage. I treasure this photo because it is the last photo made of our intact family. It was made in the living room of my mom's parents, Granny and Paw Paw Mac's in Hornbeck, Louisiana. The occasion was Resurrection Sunday, April 5, 1953. Dad passed away on January 2, 1954. In the back row in the middle is the eldest, Jimmy Don, who passed away in 1961. Kayla, our baby sister, left this life for her heavenly flight in 1978. To dad's left is our brother, Donald, retired USMC Gunney, who left us in 2006. Then Mom who made it to 93 and left us in 2017. That leaves yours truly sitting next to mom, and the girls on the back row left to right, Frances and JoAnn. Frances and JoAnn are dealing with serious health challenges. I received a note the other day from my doctor that said it was important for me to get myself checked out since they noted I have a chronic disease. That would be diabetes. I mention this to remind us all that life is both fragile and uncertain. On the day this photo was made, no one could have guessed how things would go for our clan. That photo will celebrate its 67th anniversary this coming April. We have lived it, therefore, we know the truth of what James said in the earliest of writings in the New Testament, "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.' But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil." (James 4:13-16) Food for thought. For us all. Amen. ....More later.