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Show Friday, December 15, 1989 Christmas Giving A Mixed Bag by Edie Mills Aunt Lizzie isn't likely to get us anything. We haven't darkened her door since she complained about little Jeffrey picking all her precious marigolds. And Darlene, She had the unmitigated gaul not to come to our dinner party last April went to the Jensen's instead; after I tended her kids all winter. I suppose I should Let's see for Billy Hart, just get something in case. We might need to borrow his drill press again sometime. Won't do to get him riled. Cross off Bradleys. We don't owe them anything. Besides they with Cheryl and Andy b McWaters and I can't stand him why everybody knows he's a closet hob-no- drank! Tossing and turning, I finally awoke with a start, relieved that I wasn't really the author of that list this time. Then I had a lengthy talk with myself about attitudes and the art of giving and receiving. Hardly ever wanting for basics, 1 once wrote a letter to Santa: "Down with appliances. Please surprise me with something wrapped in glittery foil and frivolous satin ribbon." Understandably, my heart ached for a gift chosen with a personal touch. Meanwhile, down the road a neighbor prayed: "0 God, my children are hungry. Please give us what we need." And when I recall how unwittingly we hurt Grampa G's feelings by our gross ignorance, I still cringe painfully. It wasn't Christmas, but he generously presented lis with a check to help with our son's college tuition. We did not have the means to ever pay him back and chose not to place ourselves under his obligation, so we returned the check with a nice note politely rejecting his gift Polite or not, he was crushed. We didn't understand that it was an unconditional gift free to ui just for the taking. We were nevi r required to hold our faces rigl t or conform to any standards. There were no str ngs. Tearfully, he told us we had ropbed him of his greatest pleasure. Dear Grampa forgave our ignorance and we've learned, since then, to accept his gifts with grateful hearts. We aren't burdened! with imagined debt and everybody's happy! Christmas is about unconditional giving on God's part and humble receiving on ours. "...The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." We'll never deserve it, and we can't pay for it. We can only accept His offering graciously. there's absolutely no reAnd funds and no exchanges! Merry Christinas neighbors. The Summit County Bee A Fictional Story A Christmas Story by Jeanina Woolstenhulme only had one gift, a doll. Jenny couldn't believe that she was forgotten. She huddled in the comer of the room and started to sob. Jenny's cries woke her mother from her sleep. She sat down beside her daughter and began to explain why there were not any gifts under the tree. You see, her mother recently became very ill, so ill that she was hospitalized for many weeks. Jenny's parents struggled to find the money to pay the bills, but were unable to do so. They desperately wanted to make this Christmas with their daughter special, for it was to be the last for Jenny's mother. "Jenny, do you remember how derstand something. Mommy is going away and I won't be coming back. "What do you mean?" questioned Jenny. "I am dying, little Jenny." The tears began to stream down the mother's face. She looked into her daughter's eyes. "There is something I want to tell you before I go away. I love you so much and so does your father. He will be taking care of you now and you must love him and do what he asks. But most of all, I want you to remember something. The secret of Christmas is not the things you do or receive at Christmas time, but the love you share all year through. I love you, my little Jenny!" sick I have been lately?" "Yes, mommy." mother continued to exJenny's Being a young child, Jenny about the hossitutation that plain rethought that Christmas was for this and Christmas bills why ceiving gifts. She didn't understand pital had wanted. what was not they that there is more to Christmas But unknown to Jenny, it was to than Santa Claus and toys. the greatest Christmas, even be Christmas morning Jenny raced without gifts. Claus Santa to the tree to see what "Now Jenny, I want you to un had left for her. To her surprise, she ... Famous Pumpkin Pie 2 eggs, slightly beaten 1 can (16 oz.) solid pack pumpkin 34 cup sugar 12 tsp. salt 1 tsp. cinnamon 12 tsp. ginger 14 tsp. cloves 1 can (12 fluid oz.) evaporated milk 1 deep dish pie crust shell Preheat oven and baking sheet to 375. Remove one pie crust shell from freezer. Meanwhile, combine filling ingredients in order eien above. Recrimp edge of pie shell to stand 12 inch above rim. Place pie shell on preheated baking sheet. Pour filling into pie crust shell. Bake on preheated baking sheet near center of oven for 70 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Garnish wwhipped cream and walnuts, if desired. Makes 1 pie. ch 1C Shirley IMielps. liditorOffice Manager & Staff 336-550- 1 Bessie Russell. Office Manager A Staff 783-438- 7 |