Happy holidays! Merry Christmas! Let’s remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. I am so very sorry that I have missed the last two Sundays, but maybe I am back on track. I love to write but it seems that I have had so many hindrances in the last couple of weeks, that it’s been difficult to get this column written. Please forgive me.

Thanksgiving was wonderful here at the center. As we shared stories and invited shut-ins to our Thanksgiving feast, we ate, sang and laughed; it was lots of fun. Words can’t express the joy of giving during the holidays. God loves a cheerful giver — always! There was so much food brought out to the center. I was so full of joy that I couldn’t even take time to eat. It was laid out beautifully. Thanks to all who gave and shared their time.

Now it’s time to start planning for Christmas. We close the center from Dec. 14 through Jan. 2, so we have to plan and work fast on our Christmas shopping trip on Dec. 3 at Cross Creek Mall, Hamricks and Fuller’s for lunch. Our van is already full. But just in case, call us if you would like to go, we usually have others who drive their own vehicles and we will try our best to make space for you.

On Dec. 4, LEAP, better known as the Low Energy Assistance Program, will be here signing people up for assistance. Come on out and apply. You will never know if you qualify if you don’t try. There will be lots of stuff going on in the upcoming month, so keep in touch with the center. If you need somewhere to “hang out” give us a call at 529-3931. There is always something going happening at the center.

Our sympathy goes out to the Johnson Family in the loss of their son, brother and friend, Clayton. Let’s continue to pray for Edward McKoy, Delcie Norris and many more sick and shut-ins.

The Alzheimer’s Support meeting will be held Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. at the Sampson County Department of Aging training room. This months guest speaker will be Nancy Broadweed and Lesia Levine from Alzheimer’s North Carolina. The public is invited. This is also our Christmas meeting, so bring a covered dish and have a wonderful afternoon of education and fun.

The center will have its annual Christmas Party on Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come and visit. The seniors are making Christmas boxes for our hospice patients as well as for the shut-ins. We are in need of items for our gift boxes. If you would like to donate, please contact us. We need lotions, toothbrushes, Kleenex, Vaseline, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, and powder. If interested in donating please call me at 305-3628 or 529-3931. Please help us bring a smile to these people’s faces and let them know that someone is thinking of them during this time of the year.

Now let’s look at some words to live by: Be thankful for what you have…you will end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never ever have enough. Ashtyn Rodgers said, “the memories that touch our hearts, the kindness of strangers, the joy we feel when friends keep in touch, these make the season bright. “A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten he words.” “The right thing will happen at the right time!”

As we enter the Christmas season, let’s remember how blessed we are. Let’s remember to be open to giving. Don’t worry about what we will give — give the best that is within your heart. Be open to give as well as receiving. If you are looking for a special gift, gift your time by volunteering. It is a very rewarding experience and it makes you appreciate what you do have and helps you stop worrying about what you don’t have.

Antidotes for the week: Save clean, empty wine and juice bottles and insert them in your tall boots to keep their shape in between wearing. Research has proven that people who have the most positive thoughts also have the best immune system thanks to the low levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. If you make gravy that is too thin you can thicken it by adding instant potatoes.

While I was out and about today, I got the smell of smoke from burning leaves. Lord, it brought back memories of the “shade tree days.” Of course by this time of year we had gathered around the wood heater or fireplace. Those are good memories. I treasure them. What have you done to make memories for later in life? Take time to enjoy life — it may not always be easy but nothing worth having in life is ever easy and more appreciated than by hard work. Take time to make memories with your family and friends. Don’t forget to make memories and listen to old timey stories from seniors in you life — you will be responsible for keeping alive their memories and good times too. Leave you mark and help continue someone else’s memories.