Believe in Santa Claus

 

Believe in Santa Claus

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted.... "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumour has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.

That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thinking out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked really warm, and he would like that. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it.

Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumours about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were -- ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have love to share, health to spare and friends that care...And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus.

 

Your Sure Hand Song Lyrics And Guitar Chords

Written By Johnny Duhan.


(D)Unravelling (A) fairy-lights for the Christmas (D)tree
On dark (A) frosty nights, do you remember how (D) we
Kept (G)our patience up in tangled (D) wire
Until the (A) tree lit up and you glowed like the (D) fire?
(G)We’ve not (D) forgotten it was (A) your sure (D) hand
(G)That freed the (D) knots of the most (A) ravelled strands.

Now you are seventeen, moving away,
Still in your tangled teens, what can we say?
We believe in you and we’ve no doubt
That all you are going through, you will work out.
We’ve not forgotten it was your sure hand
That freed the knots of the most ravelled strands.

Out in this twisting world when you’re confused
Think of the little girl who used
Ingenuity and care 
To make a Christmas tree flare.
We’ve not forgotten it was your sure hand
That freed the knots of the most ravelled strands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQf-JUKXOP4&list=RDMMlQf-JUKXOP4&index=1&ab_channel=JohnnyDuhan

RAOK - "Someone came and sat with me"

 

"Someone came and sat with me"

It was the first day of middle school, and as I walked into the cafeteria with my tray, I noticed a boy sitting alone at a corner table. His head was down, his lunch untouched. He looked like he wanted to disappear. The table around him was empty, a stark contrast to the chatter and laughter filling the room.

I don’t know why I felt compelled to do it, but I walked over and sat down across from him. “Hey, I’m Josh,” I said, offering a friendly smile.

The boy glanced up nervously, as if unsure whether I was serious. “I’m Sam,” he mumbled, barely audible.

“What’s that you’ve got for lunch?” I asked, trying to spark a conversation. He hesitated before answering, and slowly we began to talk. His voice gained a little confidence as he told me about how he’d just moved to town, how he didn’t know anyone, and how starting at a new school was harder than he’d imagined.

That day, I invited Sam to sit with me and my friends. He was shy and quiet, but we welcomed him. Over time, Sam opened up more and more. He wasn’t the best at sports, but he was a genius when it came to math and science. My friends and I started calling him “Professor,” and he’d laugh, finally letting his guard down.

Years went by, and Sam became an integral part of our group. He tutored us when we struggled, and we cheered him on when he won the science fair. By senior year, he was the valedictorian, just like we always knew he’d be.

On graduation day, Sam stood at the podium, holding his notes. He looked nervous, but then his eyes found mine in the crowd, and he smiled.

“I want to start by thanking the people who got me here—my parents, my teachers, and my friends,” he began. “But today, I need to tell you a story about someone who unknowingly saved my life.”

The room fell silent as Sam continued. “When I started middle school, I was in a dark place. My family had just moved after my dad lost his job, and I felt completely alone. That first day, I decided that if things didn’t get better by the end of the week, I’d end my pain for good.”

My heart sank as I listened, realization dawning.

“That first day in the cafeteria, someone came and sat with me. He didn’t make a big deal of it, didn’t treat me like I was different or weird. He just talked to me. Invited me to sit with him and his friends. That small act of kindness changed everything for me. It gave me hope.”

Sam paused, his voice trembling with emotion. “Josh, you probably don’t even remember that day, but you saved my life. You gave me a reason to keep going.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I felt the weight of his words. I hadn’t realized how much that one small gesture had mattered.

After the ceremony, Sam’s parents hugged me, thanking me with tears in their eyes. It was a moment I’ll never forget.

The lesson I learned that day is one I carry with me always: you never know how much your actions can mean to someone. A smile, a kind word, or just sitting with someone when they feel invisible—it can make all the difference.

Every day, we have the power to change lives, often in ways we don’t even realize. And in those small acts of kindness, we find the true purpose of our lives.

~ Never underestimate the power of kindness. It’s a gift we can all give, and it costs nothing. Let’s make the world a little brighter, one gesture at a time.

Forgiveness

 

Forgiveness 

My father once said, “If they hurt you, forgive them, but never forget what they’ve done.”

This has always been a reminder to me every time I meet someone new. Yet, at times, it feels exhausting. It’s frustrating to show kindness only to receive pain in return. It’s disheartening to admire someone, only to find them backstabbing you.

One day, I asked my father, “Do they deserve my forgiveness?”

He smiled and set aside the newspaper he had been reading—a part of his morning routine, checking the mailbox for something to engage with.

“Child, everyone deserves forgiveness. If they wrong you once, they deserve it. If they do it twice, give them another chance. But if they hurt you a third time, that’s when the forgiveness should be for yourself.”

I must have looked puzzled, with a huge invisible question mark hovering over my head. My father chuckled at my confusion, then handed me a candy and clasped my hands in his.

“Forgive yourself for believing in them and getting disappointed. Forgive yourself for trusting too much. Forgive yourself for taking risks in the hope of something better. And, my dear, give yourself the chance to be free—free from hatred, revenge, and the weight of your past.”

One morning, I found him in front of my mother, tears streaming down his face. He had been betrayed by a friend for many years. I asked him if he now hated his friend, and he simply smiled and shook his head.

“My heart doesn’t have space for hatred. I won’t suffer because of it. I’ve forgiven him, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten what he did. The next time he sees me smiling, despite everything, he’ll know who truly suffered.”

Wiping his tears with the favourite handkerchief I had gifted him for his birthday, he added, “You know the best thing you can give to someone who hurts you? It’s to live a better life after what they did. We only live once, so don’t waste your time on those who have left scars in your heart. Let them see what they’ve lost. Let them understand how they inadvertently helped you grow.”

In that moment, I realized that without his wisdom, I would still be haunted by burdens that weren’t my fault.

"The Meaning of Life"

 

‘The Meaning Of Life!’

Once upon a time, there was a young man named Alex who was always searching for the meaning of life. He read books, consulted philosophers, and talked to wise men, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer.

One day, he decided to embark on a journey to find the answer himself. He left his home and travelled far and wide, visiting different places and meeting people from all walks of life. He saw the beauty of nature, witnessed the kindness of strangers, and experienced the joys and sorrows of life.

Years went by, and Alex had not found the answer he was looking for. He became tired and disillusioned, thinking that maybe the meaning of life was just an illusion. But then one day, as he sat under a tree, he noticed a butterfly struggling to break free from its cocoon. The butterfly seemed to be in great pain, and Alex thought he could help by breaking open the cocoon.

But as he reached out to help, a wise old man appeared before him and warned him not to interfere. "The butterfly needs to struggle to break free," he said. "It is only through the struggle that it gains the strength it needs to fly."

Alex realized that the same was true for humans. It is through the struggles and challenges of life that we gain strength, wisdom, and character. The meaning of life is not to avoid the struggles but to face them with courage and determination, and to use them as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.

From that day on, Alex stopped searching for the meaning of life and instead focused on living his life to the fullest, embracing its challenges and joys with open arms. He found happiness and contentment in the present moment, knowing that the true meaning of life is not a destination to be reached, but a journey to be experienced.

 

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Johnny Duhan - " a tribute"

 

The Voyage - Johnny Duhan

I am a sailor, you're my first mate
We signed on together, we coupled our fate
Hauled up our anchor, determined not to fail
For the hearts treasure, together we set sail

With no maps to guide us we steered our own course
Rode out the storms when the winds were gale force
Sat out the doldrums in patience and hope
Working together we learned how to cope

Life is an ocean and love is a boat
In troubled water that keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage, there was just me and you
Now gathered round us, we have our own crew

Together we're in this relationship
We built it with care to last the whole trip
Our true destination's not marked on any charts
We're navigating to the shores of the heart

Life is an ocean and love is a boat
In troubled water that keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage, there was just me and you
Now gathered round us, we have our own crew

Life is an ocean and love is a boat
In troubled water that keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage, there was just me and you
Now gathered round us, we have our own crew

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgtk0OlZ-Jw&ab_channel=JohnnyDuhan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wNTMq6an-U&ab_channel=JohnnyDuhan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wNTMq6an-U&ab_channel=JohnnyDuhan

" Pause and Remember loved ones"

 

NO MORE TIME

When death comes knocking on your door

Will you be ready to say your goodbye

Or will you beg for just a little more

As you were never ready to die.

If only life could work that way

We’d all just ask for a little more time

Because we’re never ready to go away

When we’re still learning how to climb.

But, life never gives us these chances,

It just creeps in when you least expect

And it don’t care about circumstances

That you were so eager to perfect.

It just comes without any invitation

And tells you it’s your time to go,

Never caring about your obligation

You made to the friends you know.

It’s kinda sad how our life just ends

In the blink of our naked eyes

Leaving us torn from family and friends

That wish they too, had goodbyes.

.

If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me,

And I'm not there to see,

If the sun should rise and find your eyes

all filled with tears for me,

I wish so much you wouldn't cry

The way you did today,

While thinking of the many things,

We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you,

and each time that you think of me,

I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me,

Please try to understand,

That an angel came and called my name,

And took me by the hand,

and said my place was ready,

In heaven far above,

And that I'd have to leave behind

All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,

A tear fell from my eye

For all my life, I'd always thought,

I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,

So much left yet to do,

It seemed almost impossible,

That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays

The good ones and the bad,

I thought of all the love we shared,

and all the fun we had

If I could re-live yesterday

Just even for a while,

I'd say good-bye and kiss you

And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,

That this could never be,

For emptiness and memories,

would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,

I might miss come tomorrow,

I thought of you, and when I did,

My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,

I felt so much at home

When God looked down and smiled at me,

From His great golden throne.

He said, "This is eternity,

And all I've promised you."

Today your life on earth is past,

But here life starts anew

I promise no tomorrow,

But today will always last,

And since each day's the same way

There's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful,

So trusting and so true.

Though there were times

You did some things

You knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven

And now at last you're free.

So won't you come and take my hand

And share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me,

Don't think we're far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I'm right here, in your heart.

Author believed to be

~ David Romano

 

“The most painful goodbyes are the ones that are never said, and never explained. It’s the sudden silence, the unspoken words, the unanswered questions that haunt you at night. You lie awake, your mind replaying every moment, every word, every touch, searching for the reason why. But there is no answer, just an emptiness that stretches into eternity. It’s the pain of not knowing, of not understanding, of being left in the dark with only your own thoughts to keep you company. And in that darkness, you slowly come to realize that you may never know why, and that is perhaps the hardest truth of all.”

 

 Suggestions for those in the land of the living.