Christmas Letter From Inside the Concrete Walls

Ive told many stories on this blog about my cousin Gary. I miss him so much. The holidays are even harder, because he is inside the concrete walls. Here our his thoughts this Christmas 2010:

Making Room To Give

Everything I own fits in a five feet tall, two feet wide, one foot deep locker. Of that space, about one square foot is devoted to my clothes. I've been wearing the same pair of sweats for three years. I've finally decided that I need to buy another pair of sweat bottoms so that I can work out in the cold and not get my sleeping pair dirty. The main thing holding me back is that I don't know if I have enough room in my "closet."

It's funny how easily we adapt to our environments. When people up-size in a home, they look at all the extra space and wonder how they're going to fill it. Then, a few years later, out of seemingly nowhere, the rooms and closets are filled, and they're wondering where to put their extra stuff. It works in reverse too. When they downsize, if they learn to let go and prioritize, they can limit themselves to the number of items needed to fit  in any space.

At first, I used to stop myself and think how pathetic my life had become. I had only one pair of sweats that I wore day-in and day-out. Even though I could have spent fifteen dollars to buy another top or bottom, I didn't even have the room in my locker to hold them! But then, over time, that bewilderment turned into amazement. It's been three years, and I'm still wearing the same pair of sweats, and it's OK! the world hasn't ended. I'm not a pauper, and no on has commented on my lack of sartorial options. Though they've thinned out a bit, these trusty gray sweats are still completely functional. I look back to five years ago, when I was in the position of not having enough space because of an abundance of clothes, and I am amazed.

I was never a hoarder, and I firmly believe in the "if you haven't worn it in the last year, then get rid of it" principle. Yet, I still had mounds of clothes, and by extension things in general. When I think about the "last year" principle, how much therein is really worn on a regular- or even occasional- basis? Probably little. Yet we can't let go.

I look at my single pair of thinned-but-still-functional-and-worn-in sweats (I'm wearing them right now), and I am thankful. I'm thankful that I'm back at a stage in my life where everything I own can fit in my (hypothetical) car. I'm thankful that I'm beholden to nothing material. I'm thankful that I've reached a point in my life where my possessions in no way own me.

After twisting my own arm long enough, and with little incentive from some freezing mornings, I've finally decided to buy a second pair of sweats, as a Christmas present to myself. This Christmas, instead of giving people things they don't really need, make this an opportunity to give away what you don't really need, and you be giving yourself a present as well. I think of all the presents I've bought for others or received myself, which generally just took up space, I'm thankful for what I have. Now, if I can just find a little bit more room in my locker.

-Love Gary-

After reading his 2010 Christmas letter, I have decided to make space in my closets!

Lights

My two year old loves lights! Christmas lights. We went to the River of Lights and he loved it. He even got to go to bed late. I also got to try out this. I have been a picture taking fanatic since I got it.

Look at this cute little boy! I love him to pieces!!!!

River of Lights:

Now here is the funny part. I asked my mom to take a picture of the three of us... this is the outcome. She had no idea where to look to aim. When I tried explaining it to her she put her eye in the hole where the flash is and snapped a picture. I swear- my camera is not that hard to use.

Oh yeah, and we saw Santa there too. It was a fun night and Liam was thoroughly entertained.

Letter From Jesus

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember.

I love you,

Jesus