St. Anthony, St. Anthony, turn around. Find for me what must be found!

No matter how many times I prayed this simple, yet powerful, prayer it still remained lost. The “it” misplaced was/is my 36 year old Christmas Card address journal. Every year, at the beginning of each December, I have cherished looking over this book containing all the various address relocations, last-name changes and fond remembrances of loved ones who had successfully made it to Heaven, throughout the past year. Names and addresses which had spand across over 3 memory-filled decades – containing the data for the only correspondence (sometimes) exchanged from year to year.

Each important. Each loved.

Each prayed over as I address an envelope.

Luckily, there was some discovered grace in the knowledge that I still had my purchase log which clued me in on how many cards to order; however, despite this worth-while information – those 142 important names and addresses remained misplaced. I prayed my way through recreating the journal as best as possible, but still worry over the few I may have missed. So I extend my warm thoughts and best wishes if perhaps that was you – while also (additionally) including my many cyber-space friends too!

How blessed I am that, through this blogging-space, my friends have expanded! And I am truly grateful for each one of you, who take the precious time to stroll through my site every now and then to accept the sincere hugs & blessings I offer to you, each & every time that you do!

I have a list of folks I know, all written in a book

and every year when Christmas comes, I go and take a look.

And that is when I realize that these names are a part

not of the book they’re written in , but of my very heart!

For each name stands for someone who has crossed my path sometime

and in that meeting they’ve become the rhythm in each rhyme.

And while it sounds fantastic for me to make this claim

I really feel that I’m composed of each remembered name.

And while you may not be aware of any “special link”

just meeting you has changed my life a lot more than you think.

For once I’ve met somebody, the years cannot erase

the memory of a pleasant word or of a friendly face.

So never think my Christmas cards are just a mere routine

of names upon a Christmas list, forgotten in between.

For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you

it’s because you are on a list of folks I’m indebted to!

For I am but the total of the many folks I’ve met

and you happen to be one of those I prefer not to forget!

And whether I have known you for many years or just a few

in some way you have had a part in shaping things I do!

And every year when Christmas comes, I realize anew

the best gift life can offer is meeting folks like you.

So may the Spirit of Christmas that forever endures

leave its richest blessings in the hearts ❤️ of You and Yours!

hugs n’ blessings addressed to each of you with sincere gratitude for the important imprint you have made upon my heart!

(Just a bunch of crazies sharing a giggle or two!)