Christmas Haikus

(A Missing-Mom-and-Dad Blog)

Christmas Tree 2008 (by Greg)

A table-top tree

Covered with baubles and lights

Makes one remember...

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Trees from years gone by,

Decorated carefully.

Mother's gift of hope.

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Now I decorate,

Always remembering her;

How she loved Christmas.

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Christmas Pins on a Tray, 2008 (by Greg)

A tray full of pins --

A loud display of color

To make us feel bright.

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Harder now to feel

That everything is bright -- right.

There should be more here.

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Christmas Candles, 2008 (by Greg)

Christmas candles glow,

Lighting flames of nostalgia

In hearts that are sad.

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We long for the past

When families were complete,

Traditions intact.

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12/28 -- If Yesterday Was Your Birthday...

Taylor Hope Gottlieb with her brand new sister, Jordyn Paige, 11/12/02 (by Greg)

...If yesterday (December 27) was your birthday, I didn't get to post your Birthday Blog because I was in Zanesville, Ohio. (But I was thinking about you, and wishing you a wonderful day!)

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...If yesterday was your birthday, you are the girl who started it all -- my "Borrowed Babies," I mean. You were only two years old when I first met you. I remember Mommy had to take you to work with her on a Sunday morning, because she didn't have anyone to watch you. (That's when she and Meagan worked together at the Gap.) Meagan called me to ask if I would be able to come and pick you up and watch you for a while. She said, "Mom, you'll love this little girl -- she'll remind you of me!" (And she was right -- with all that curly brown hair and those big brown eyes, you did remind me of my Meagan when she was little!)

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...If yesterday was your birthday, I'm pretty sure that was the day I fell in love with you. I was fascinated by how tiny you were -- and by how brave, to let Mommy buckle you in your car seat and come away with us -- people you'd never even seen before. You were very quiet, and we were falling all over ourselves, wanting you to like us! (Ah well, some things never change, do they? Oh -- not the "you-were-so-quiet" part. I mean the part about us falling all over ourselves trying to please you!)

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...If yesterday was your birthday, it would be a couple of years before I would begin taking care of you regularly, although Meagan often brought you over to visit us. You were always so entertaining -- and cute -- and smart -- and talented...(Would you like me to go on?)

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...If yesterday was your birthday, I have so many wonderful memories of our days together as you awaited the arrival of your baby sister...Remember -- at first we thought it was going to be a boy, and you were going to call him "Unicorn Teddy." (I still love that name!)

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...If yesterday was your birthday, we just saw you on Christmas, when we reminisced about some of our favorite "Taylor Lines"...

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- One day I took you with me to the place where Dj got his hair cut. We had to sit in the waiting area, where you picked up a magazine and started "reading" it. An adorable little boy -- about a year old -- came in with his mother, and he just kept staring at you with admiration. I pointed this out to you, and you just sort of shuddered and said, "Ugh -- I hate having babies all over me!"

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- Then there was the time you were supposed to be putting sugar on the cookies we had made, but instead, you were eating it by the spoonful. I said, "Taylor, do Mommy and Daddy let you eat sugar like that at home?" You looked at me like I had lost my mind and said, "Um, Kate...Mommy and Daddy aren't here."

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-And then there's my personal favorite (even though you used a not-so-nice word -- twice)...I was reprimanding you for something -- can't even remember what -- and apparently I had gone on a little too long, because you said, "Kate, you're p---ing me off!" I managed to keep a straight face as I said, "Taylor, I know you are not allowed to say that word!" You came right back with, "I don't care -- you're still p---ing me off!"

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...Hey, you know what...If yesterday was your birthday, as I read back over this stuff, I'm not sure why your mommy let me continue to take care of you -- it's obvious that you were the one who was in charge! (But I'm so glad she did!)

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...If yesterday was your birthday, you are -- and always have been -- one of the most beautiful little girls I've ever known. We have so many pictures of you, it was hard to decide which ones to use for your Birthday Blog. I chose this one, because it shows your silly side...

Taylor at Meagan's wedding, 9/22/07 (by Karen Branson)

...and I like this one from last Christmas, because it's more serious. (Sorry -- even though Greg took more pictures this Christmas, he hasn't had time to send them to me, because he was in Ohio, too. Hmmm...maybe I'll have to do a follow-up photo blog...)

Taylor on Christmas Day 2007 (by Greg)

...Finally, if yesterday was your birthday, I am so very glad that you and your family came into our lives. We love all of you very much. Oh -- how could I almost forget my favorite Taylor line of all -- one I often quote: "We are family, because we're used to each other." That says it all, my sweet girl.

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I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Taylor. Sorry we weren't here to celebrate with you...But there's always tomorrow (or the next day)!

Happy Birthday, Taylor Hope Gottlieb!

My Christmas Blog -- If Today is Your Birthday...

Mary and Jesus from my father's old Nativity set (by Greg, 2008)

...If today is Your birthday, that means it's Christmas!

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...If today is Your birthday, it's late and I'm tired because I've spent the entire day being busy -- celebrating, You know. But I couldn't go to bed without saying thank You!

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...If today is Your birthday, You know that my words can never express what's really in my heart. And I know that I don't even need words. You -- and You alone -- just know!

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...If today is Your birthday, You are the reason for everything, whether I am mindful of that or not. (Sometimes I am, but often I an not. For that, I am sorry.)

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...If today is Your birthday, You are always waiting patiently for me to recognize the reality that is You -- and glad when I finally get around to asking for Your help in doing so.

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...If today is Your birthday, I love You, and I am sorry that I don't do more to show You how much. I know You know. But I know you would like for more people to know.

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...If today is Your birthday, thank You. For Christmas, and for everything.

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Happy Birthday, Jesus. We don't deserve You, yet You are ours...

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...Amen.

Some More Words about Work-Appropriate Footwear...

...Cowboy boots. Seems like they'd be appropriate for work -- especially at a job where you're behind a cash register; no one can see your feet anyway. They're certainly comfortable (i.e., hanging-around-to-shop-for-a-while-after-work-friendly). The heel was the right height for my pants -- my bootcut pants. And they were black -- exactly the same color as my pants. My decision was made -- today was definitely a day for cowboy boots!

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Unfortunately -- and this may have had something (or nothing) to do with what was about to happen -- I arrived 45 minutes late, thinking that I was actually 15 minutes early. Either I had not read the schedule properly -- or maybe someone came along and CHANGED it after the last time I looked at it. Whatever...

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Whether it was my fault, or someone ELSE'S fault isn't important. The point is, I was flustered. Perhaps I was rushing a bit. Maybe I just wasn't excercising due caution for the conditions...who knows?

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I'll tell you what I do know. If you wear cowboy boots to work, and if you make a quick stop in the restroom before going to the break room to stash your stuff, be sure that the bathroom floor wasn't wet. In the event that it was wet, do make an effort to see that the bottoms of your cowboy boots are dry before you step into the break room. If you don't, this could happen to you, too:

"The Fall" by Kate, 12/24/08 (MSN Paint)

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And if that happened to you, so could this...Well, or course your face won't look as puffy as mine -- unless you're on prednisone. I'm just talking about the big red mark, which fortunately did not bleed. It just just looked like I'd been putting on my lipstick as I fell:

"The Face" by Kate, 12/24/08 (MSN Paint)

Well, Bloggees -- I really must go do some other things now. Taking the time to tell you about this has done nothing to reduce my tendency to get overwhelmed by the number of things I still feel that I need to do before Christmas. I just felt that I would be doing you a great disservice if I didn't warn you about the dangers of the footwear faux pas!

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If this post has helped any one of you to avoid what happened to me, then I have no regrets -- save that the darned break room was empty when I staged my exhibition. Alas, not one single person saw my magnificient performance!

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Merry Christmas to all!

Peace of What?!!!!!

Ready and Waiting, 12/20/08 (by Greg)

Christmas is nigh -- In fact it's tomorrow!

I'm busy enough; I don't need to borrow

Reasons to worry. That would be senseless.

But when they start coming, I feel so defenseless...

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What will we eat, and where will we sit?

Our table seems small; how will we all fit?

Will they like all their gifts --and did we buy enough?

Oh, what if they simply hate all this stuff?!!

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I take a deep breath. I have to slow down.

I make myself smile -- no reason to frown!

I start to feel happy; it soon will be here.

Tomorrow is Christmas; there's nothing to fear!

Peace and Happiness -- and a little solitude -- to all!

I Found It!

Figures from a Nativity set which I believe has been in my dad's family since he was a child. (Photographed by Greg 12/20/08)

I had it, but then I lost some of the peaces. Well, maybe I never really had all of the peaces, but this Advent season I think I've had more of them than I ever have in the past...

For one, this year I had the peace of solitude -- at least a little bit every day. It's hard to find that peace when you have a house full of pre-schoolers. As many gifts as they bring, they seldom come bearing peace!

This year I also had the peace of reflection, which I think you can only have if you have the peace of solitude first. I was grateful for both peaces. And I was able to experience, for at least a short time, the peace of knowing where that elusive -- but, oh, so important -- quiet place is located inside of me.

Yes, I really liked having all of those peaces for a while. But then I started to lose them...

The first peace I lost was peace of mind. It was replaced by a bunch of hungry monkeys in a banana tree. (That's more or less a quote from Henri Nouwen.) Then I lost the peace of knowing that everything would be done -- at least the things that God wanted done -- if I would just stay calm and let Him guide me. Instead, I had a gnawing sense of anxiousness that Christmas would be here, and I'd be there, still searching for one more gift.

The peace of joy that comes with giving to others was overshadowed by worries about what we would live on after Christmas. (And we all know that worry alone can obscure a lot of peaces!) One by one, my peaces were being misplaced and re-placed by things that I didn't want to claim!

Then, this morning, I found a peace of time to go to Mass. Guess what...As soon as I entered the church and saw the altar being decorated for the Christmas Eve services tomorrow, I felt all of those peaces return!

It was wonderful...The first peace I found was the peace of being a part of something much larger than myself. After that, all of the other peaces just sort of magically appeared, exactly where they were supposed to be. And I've managed to hold on to them all day, even though I sometimes had to fight to do so!

Ok. Of course I realize I couldn't have held onto them all by myself -- God did that for me! But I think that's the best peace of all -- the peace of letting God. The peace of remembering..."Be still and know that I am."

Thank you, God, for helping me to find the peaces again. Please continue to help me hold on!

My Betty Blog

Betty dancing with Tom, Meagan's wedding, Sept. 2007 (by Karen Branson)

This is my "Betty Blog." Betty is technically my stepmother. She married my dad in July, 2007, six months before he died. But it's easier for me to think of her as a friend...

She is a friend with whom I rarely spend time, but a friend just the same. I know her mostly through her e-mail messages. The messages may not be frequent, but each one conveys her spirit so thoroughly that I feel like I have known her for a long time. I can see how my dad was drawn to this bundle of energy and good will!

Betty is in my heart in a special way these days before Christmas. I'm thinking of the vast difference she must be feel between this year and last, when she and Dad were celebrating their first Christmas together. This Christmas will be bittersweet for all of us -- our first without Dad. But I know Betty misses him in a way that is different from the emptiness that my brothers and sisters and I are feeling.

Yet she remains positive and hope-filled. She continues to do the things that she and Dad did together. Daily Mass, Hospice volunteering, visiting his brother in the nursing home, maintaining ties with his family. I know Betty has many friends whom she considers family. She stays active -- even during the heavy-duty Michigan winters. This is a lady who will never be alone. She will never be "old" (whatever that is.) Her deep faith and trust and God shine through everything she does.

I have only actually spent time with Betty on three occasions. Two of them were celebrations of joy -- the family gathering we had in Michigan after she and Dad got married, and Meagan's wedding last September, when she and Dad came to North Carolina. The last time I saw her was a celebration of a different sort -- Dad's life. Of course there were many tears then. But I also remember her sweet, gentle smile. That is the face that Betty wears when I see her in my heart.

I just wanted to say something about Betty today. God bless you, dear friend.

12/22 -- If Today is Your Birthday...

Top: Meagan Day Fischer, 12/22/77

Bottom: Daddy lends a hand with the pacifier.

...If today is your birthday, you're the Girl in the Stocking! (Remember -- That's how they brought you to me in the hospital on Christmas Day. You were only three days old, but I know you remember!)

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...If today is your birthday, that early experience set you up with a lifetime penchant for hopping around in a large red stocking -- something that's gotten a little less frequent over the years, but we still struggle sometimes...

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...If today is your birthday, then you made Christmas 1977 the most memorable one in my history! I remember planning to have had you much earlier in the month, and then feeling like my fine old self, ready to party, by the 25th. Not the way it turned out, of course, but absolutely no regrets -- I had a marvelous time in Lapeer County General with your Grandma Hilma in attendance as the head of the nursery!

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...If today is your birthday, I remember being there for an entire week -- plenty of time to learn all the ins and outs of taking care of a newborn. (Things like flicking the bottom of your foot with my finger if you fell asleep while you were nursing, and how to feign wooziness every time you pooped so that Daddy or one of the nurses would change your diaper.)

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...If today is your birthday, I remember being amazed that, after I had brought you home and resumed "regular life" as it was to be forever after, people actually wanted to talk about other things besides how amazing my new baby was. (Um, unfortunately, that's an adjustment I've had to make at just about every turn. I still can't figure out what's up with that, can you?)

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...If today is your birthday, I know it's wrong to give you all the credit for making me one of the happiest moms in the universe. I know that's God. And I am so very thankful. But the fact remains -- I am one of the happiest moms in the universe because God gave you to me! (In case your brother ever reads this, the same goes for him, of course, but hey -- this is your birthday blog.)

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...If today is your birthday, I hope that some day you will know what it's like to hold a newborn child that has been, very intimately, a part of you for nine whole months. I hope that you will then be able to describe -- better than I have ever been able to -- what that feels like. I know the word for it is Love. But it's such a strange and special love. I hope, my precious daughter, that you will have the same love for a child of your own some day. (Ok -- that's all about me becoming a grandma. But really -- I want it for you, too!)

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...If today is your birthday, I hope you have always felt -- and always will feel -- how much you are loved by me, by Dad, and by all your grandparents, aunts, uncles, pets, furniture, clothing, books, food...

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Happy Birthday, my Meggie!

Have a wonderful day!

12/21 -- If Today is Your Birthday...

Kim Welch, September 2007, by Karen Branson

...If today is your birthday, you are Greg's baby sister, Kim -- the one he used to call "Cubby." (He still does -- but only at family gatherings. You know...the ones where he likes to make Dawn laugh until she cries by doing his Florian impersonations.)

...If today is your birthday, you were just a kid when I started dating your "Stubby." It was fun to take you along with us sometimes.

...If today is your birthday, here are some of the things I remember about those days:

* You used to like to put food coloring in your water at the dinner table.

* When we would go horseback riding, you always liked to ride the horse known as "Little Mare."

* One day your dad was napping in his room right off the kitchen where you, Greg and I were goofing around. Greg started singing "Volare," (the Dean Martin version) in a very loud voice, and your dad poked his grumpy-looking face out of his door. Greg cracked us up when he said, "Dad, Kim was singing 'Volare.'"

...If today is your birthday, we don't see you nearly often enough, although you only live about a half-day away. We really should get together more often, because it's always so much fun when we do!

...If today is your birthday, you have a beautiful, brilliant daughter -- Tara -- and I will never forget the week I spent with you right after she was born. Babies are such magic, and I'll always be grateful that you trusted me to be there to help you. (I don't know if I've ever told you how touched I was to be asked.)

...If today is your birthday, I'm glad that we've become sisters and friends. Marrying your brother was a small enough price to pay!

Happy Birthday, Kim! We love you, and hope you have a wonderful day!

Some Words About Shoes

Hi Bloggees!

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(I hope you don't mind if I call you that. It's just that, well, I've been writing to you for a while now, not really being sure what to call you. I know I've referred to you as Readers a time or two, and I suppose that is an appropriate term; if you were not readers, then it wouldn't matter what I called you anyway, would it? Well, yesterday as I was driving home from work, I was thinking about you -- the collective you -- and the term Bloggee just popped into my head. Oh, don't worry -- it was a quiet little pop. Nothing to make me run off the road or anything like that. Anyway, I started smiling to myself, thinking "That's perfect!" So that's what I'm going to call you from now on, ok?)

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Now for those words I was going to say -- you know -- about shoes...

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As you know, there are countless styles of shoes. Dress shoes, casual shoes, work shoes, athletic shoes...If it can be done wearing shoes, then there's probably a specific shoe made just for that activity.

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To simplify, therefore, I am going to speak here of only two types of shoes that will fit nicely into one basic category -- Work Shoes. The types of shoes to which I refer are (a) Mean Shoes, and (b) Nice Shoes.

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You may wonder why a person would even own a pair of Mean Shoes. Of course we can assume that one wouldn't purchase such a pair of shoes in the first place, if one knew the true character of those shoes. But some Mean Shoes are very pretty, making them hard to resist -- initially. It is not until they are actually worn for more than ten minutes that they let their secret be known, i.e., this is a pair of shoes that must be taken seriously! Get rid of them? Well, that's one option...

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Personally, I have found that, while owning more than one pair of Mean Shoes can be dangerous -- They will try to rally the other shoes over to their side, potentially causing Nice Shoes to turn -- one pair can be very useful indeed.

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Let's say you have been blessed with an opportunity to work in a place where you also love to shop. And let's say that you tend to be a little impulsive with your money. (Of course I'm speaking hypothetically, Blogees.)

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Let's also say that you love the store where you work so much, you'd even work there for free.(But don't say that part out loud -- we wouldn't want Management to hear.)

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Given the above then, it's understandable if sometimes you find it difficult to resist lingering in that store a little longer than your work schedule demands. You know what I'm talking about; let's call it browsing. (For purposes of this post, browsing shall be defined as "spending money.")

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Now if you were feeling particularly weak on a morning when you knew that there was no money to spend (even on books -- which would be a rare occasion, indeed), you simply slide your feet into your Mean Shoes. It's practically guaranteed that all of the time spent in your favorite store that day will be overshadowed by an overwhelming desire to get home so you can be rid of those miserable shoes. Immediately after clocking out, you make haste to your car. No browsing -- no spending. Problem solved. I rest my case -- Mean Shoes can be useful.

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Now what can I say about Nice Shoes? I think they speak for themselves. Wear them when you want to have a nice day. Wear them when you need cheering up, or when you already feel happy. Wear them when you have something fun planned -- or when you have no idea what the day will bring. Wear them when you want people to be nice to you, and wear them when you want to be nice to people. Wear them because you like them, and they will reward you by liking you back.

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Wear your Nice Shoes today, Bloggees, and have a Nice Day!

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"Mean Shoes" and "Nice Shoes" by Kate, 12/18/08 (MSN Paint)

His Name was Juan...

Bradford Pear Tree felled by Ice, Winter 2003, by Greg Fischer



...Juan Estevan Salado. 25 years old. From Charlotte, North Carolina.

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He had a 6-year old son, and a sister who lives in Florida. And a mother who is still alive, I think. He lost his father when he was young.

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Yesterday was my nephew, Kristofer's, birthday -- his 25th birthday. The same age as Juan Salado.

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I can't imagine what was inside the mind and heart of the shooter who got away. I can only picture Ice.

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Even though witnesses saw him run out the back service entrance of the store and get into a dark-colored car that was parked at a nearby bank, no one saw which direction that car took as he drove off. Everyone who was outside was focused on the 25-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his head. (In retrospect, I'm sure there are a few people who wish they'd taken time to note the license plate number of that dark-colored vehicle.)

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One report mentioned a second guard in the Brinks truck. Did he have any training or instruction in what to do in case something like this ever happened? Surely something like this was never supposed to happen...His partner was 25 years old. He had a six-year-old son. It was the week before Christmas.

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Most likely, he was in shock. Frozen. Unable to do anything.

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I wonder if he had a gun. If he did, did he think of using it? I'm sure there was no time -- to think, or to shoot. (Then he, too, might have become a murderer in the week before Christmas.)

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I wonder where the shooter is hiding. It was reported that he got some Brinks bags -- maybe two or three -- presumably with money in them. Probably a lot of money to someone who doesn't have any -- someone who needs it so badly, he's willing to kill someone else to get it. Will he be able to spend it? On what? Did he need it for food, or to buy gifts for his family? Drugs? What?

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He shot a man twice in the head, without warning. At 10:00 in the morning. In a nice neighborhood shopping center. My mind won't even let me try to imagine what is inside him. (Besides Ice, that is.) Where is he? Did he get far, or is he hiding somewhere nearby?

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As of 6:00 tonight (Wednesday), he remains un-captured. Oh -- the police say he should be considered armed and dangerous. (Thank you.)

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I'm only speculating, of course, but even though he appears (for now) to have gotten away with a crime that was horribly bold, I don't feel like he was some kind of a mastermind genius criminal. I can't help but wonder if he's ever done anything like this before. Was this the first time he'd shot someone? Was he just a guy who had become a victim of desperate circumstances? Had he recently lost a job -- or just been unsuccessful in finding one? Did he simply let go of the last thread that was holding him to reality?

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And I wonder if he's sorry. Is he really made of Ice?

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I can't imagine. And I can only try to imagine what it's like to be Juan Salado's sister. Or his mother. Maybe his aunt.

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The only other thing I can think of is to pray...

12/16 -- If Today is Your Birthday...

(Kristofer Karlek, circa 1988)

...If today is your birthday, then you are the guy who was immortalized by that famous song, "Baby-Beef," sung by Greg Fischer in the 1980's! You remember how it goes...

Well, if you wanna smell a baby

And tickle some feet,

It's Baby-Beef,

Ba-ba, mm, ba-ba, mm, ba-ba mm...

...If today is your birthday, your horoscope in today's newspaper says that you bring liveliness to your surroundings wherever you go this year...

Kristofer, Thanksgiving Day 2008 (by Greg)

...I think I see what they mean!

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...If today is your birthday, your horoscope also says that your carefree apporach to making friends contributes to your career in January, and that you will gather helpful new contacts. I guess that means you don't care who you hang out with, but sometimes you get lucky. Well, good for you!

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...If today is your birthday, you will always be Fifferdo to me, because that was Dj's first name for you.

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...If today is your birthday, there are countless images of you in my mind and in my heart...the adorable things you used to say, like "How 'bout a bottle of beer?"...the way you used to play with Dj -- You've always been such a good "big" cousin to him...the extreme Cuteness Factor that has surrounded you all of your life...(as evidence, I give you the aforementioned "Baby-Beef!")

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...If today is your birthday, there are a couple of other memories of you that I treasure, and would like to mention. One is the very special relationship you had with Grandma Rose. I remember the summer that you, Dj and I rode with her up to Michigan. I don't want to embarrass you on your birthday or anything -- I think I already did that with that "cuteness factor" comment -- but you were so wonderful. You deserved her special love. The other memory is special to me alone, probably, and I can't explain why; I just like it. You were staying over night at our house, sleeping on the floor in Dj's room. I remember checking in on you before I went to bed. Dj was sound asleep, and you were under the blankets reading a book with a flashlight. You gotta love a kid who loves books!

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...If today is your birthday, your are a wonderful son, grandson, brother, cousin, friend and nephew -- and we're so glad you belong to us!

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Happy birthday, Fifferdo -- We love you!

"The Name of the Victim Has Not Been Released..."

Something awful has happened. It's really too soon for me to write about it, because I have so few details. But I haven't been able to think about anything else all day...



This morning started off on a positive note -- for me anyway. I was scheduled to work, and I arrived just enough minutes early to allow me to stash my bag and be at my assigned register when the store opened. Not too many customers yet; it was nice to have a chance to talk with my fellow booksellers -- one of whom I had not even met. Things began to pick up gradually then, which meant nice customers to chat with, too. I had begun to feel gratitude, once again, that I had found this job in an environment which suited me so well.



However, not even an hour had gone by when things started to change. I didn't realize how much they had changed until I walked outside after my shift ended at 1:00.



We heard -- not a siren -- but rather, the blare of the horn that an emergency vehicle uses when it approaches a busy intersection. This one was warning customers just leaving the store not to step out into the parking lot -- yet. From the windows behind the row of cash registers, we could tell only that the vehicle had slowed, and then stopped somewhere just beyond our store.



It would be another half-hour or so before customers started trickling in with bits of information -- and lots of questions. Before I left, I was able to piece together that the armored truck driver making a pick-up at the Old Navy Store three or four doors down had been shot. I heard that the suspect had gotten some money, and was still on the loose. More and more customers -- all of whom seemed remarkably calm -- were commenting on the buzz of activity at the shopping center. Apparently there were police cars and camera crews everywhere, and at least part of the shopping center had been closed off -- our part.



As pieces of the story started coming together, it didn't even register in my psyche. That's good. Somehow, the information that a man with a gun had walked into a nearby store and shot another person was able to remain on the "outside." I would not have been able to deal with it-- and continue to work -- if I had let it in.



But now I am home. The television news is carrying the story. Apparently at least three eye witnesses say that the robber was in the store -- either circulating, or hiding in a dressing room -- before the Brinks truck arrived. He was wearing surgical scrubs and a red wig. He did not give the Brinks man a chance to "give up" the money; he just came at him, shooting, as he was leaving the store. The driver was shot three times in the head. A customer who had just come out of the drugstore next door said he was able to say a prayer at the man's feet before the ambulance took him away. The news reports say that he was in critical condition, and that he died later.



They said "The name of the victim has not been released, so that his family may be notified of their loss." (I just knew it would be someone who had a family -- maybe even young children.)



Please join me in praying for that man's family.



That's all I have today. (Not even a picture with this one -- except the one in my mind.)

I "Break" for Little Old Men -- a Holiday Retail Poem

'Twas a fortnight 'til Christmas, and all through the store,
Prices were dropping so folks could buy more.
It was still rather early for real hard-core shopping,
But later, we knew that place would be hopping!

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When a brief lull occurred in the customer line,
The Head Cashier said, "'Twould would really be fine
If you'd take all these stickers -- There should be enough --
To mark all the Christmas cards; for now they're half off!"

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So armed with a big roll of colorful stamps,
I walked to that card table and set up my camp.
'Twas hard to stay focused on the task now at hand...
The finest assortment of cards in the land!

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There were cards that were cute; some went for the laugh.
(Buy some of each, 'cause you'll only pay half!)
There were plenty of snowmen and Santas, and such;
And one Holy Family, which I liked very much.

***

Quite pleased to be given this pleasant new chore,
I realized that this break would likely do more
To replenish my spirit and make me feel new
Than a banana and coffee break ever could do!

***

Totally immersed now in reaching each box,
I piled them 'round me like so many rocks
(Rememb'ring, of course, their oringinal places;
All must be returned to their very own spaces).

***

Concentrating hard on doing the job right,
Gave me cause to worry o'er the plight of my sight...
Looking up for a moment from all of those piles,
Lo, what I beheld gave my heart cause to smile!

***

Standing there quietly, watching me work
Was what I consider one of this job's best "perks;"
A Little Old Man in a pristine ball cap,
Just keeping busy 'til time for his nap.

***

He picked up a box of cards to inspect --
I showed him some more, thinking, "Oh, what the heck!"
He was a customer -- buying or not,
And I wasn't moving too far from this spot.

***

We shared all our insights on holiday greetings;
'Twas clearly a case of like minds a-meeting!
(He made me think, of course, of my dad --
Most likely because of that ball cap he had.)

***

His eyes, how they twinkled as he bid me good day;
I felt a strange longing as he walked away.
But the feeling of Happy stayed with me a while,
And the rest of the day, my heart kept its smile.

***

So I've made up my mind -- even when I am busy,
With a list that would make a dervish feel dizzy,
If given a chance like this one again,
I always shall "break" for little old men!

In Praise of Prednisone

Kate Fischer, Christmas 2007 (by Greg Fischer)

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If you're like me, the very word "prednisone" strikes fear into your heart. At least that's the way I used to be, before I actually tried it...

You see, years ago, my mother was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease, and her doctors prescribed prednisone. I was in my early 20's then, and typically self-involved. It was pretty hard for someone else to grab my attention and hold onto it for very long...

I do remember, however, being extremely concerned when, as a result of the chemotherapy treatments that were also prescribed for Mom, she lost her hair. And I recall that she felt really awful for what seemed like a very long time. But what I mostly remember is that for years afterwards, she talked about the terrible things prednisone had done to her (i.e., destroyed her immune system, making her extremely vulnerable to whatever nasty bug or virus was in season). In my mind, the drug became worse than the disease...

Not any more, though. Now I have my own prescription for the "Big P," and apparently it's not my mother's prednisone! True, it may be destroying my immune system, even as I type this testimonial, insidiously weakening my bones and planting little cataracts in my eyeballs. But the patient-information pamphlet that comes with the pills informs me that if my doctor did not think the benefits outweighed the risks in my case, he would not have prescribed prednisone. And he was so right!

Let me describe some the marvelous benefits I am reaping, now that I have worked my way up to 40 mg per day of this marvelous wonder-drug:

- Prednisone is an anti-inflammatory. That means no more stiff, aching joints when I get up in the morning. I hit the floor running -- mostly because prednisone makes it unnecessary to sleep much -- but also because I know it's not going to hurt!

- Prednisone is an anti-depressant. It must be -- I'm positively manic these days!

- Prednisone is a stimulant. See above.

- Prednisone is a mood-enhancer. It makes me love everybody!

- Prednisone is a stress-reliever. Probably because it's all of the above. Who could feel stressed when they're pain-free, happy and stimulated?

- And last, but not least (the reason I was given my very own prescription in the first place) prednisone is a breath of fresh air! I almost forgot to mention that for the first time in two years, I am able to fill my lungs all the way to the top without coughing and sputtering. I can talk aerobically (can you?) without choking on my words. And I can read out loud for as long as I like without having to continually down cough drops. (I can also sing again, but I still can't carry a tune. I guess the drug does have its limitations.)

No, indeed. This is not my mother's prednisone. And I am not my mother. (Sigh.) My mother did not trust drugs, and after her Hodgkins ordeal, seldom took anything stronger than Tylenol. I, on the other hand (although I do try to limit the drugs that I take), seem to really, really like the ones that I allow myself!

So ask your doctor. Prednisone is not for everyone. But for people like me, well...I'll cross the withdrawal bridge when I come to it.

Meanwhile, if your doctor says it it's ok for you, then I invite you to join me for a very merry prednisone holdiay -- just think of how much you'll be able to get done!

Astrological Explanations

"Scales," 12/13/08 by Kate (MSN Paint)

Disclaimer: Although I may have mentioned having read my horoscope a time or two in this blog, I am not a true believer/follower of astrological readings -- especially the ones that appear in the daily newspaper. I don't understand how such readings are done, or how they can possibly apply to everyone who is born within a given time period. So I just view them as "for fun," and read mine every once in a while, being extremely tickled if I can make it fit my particular circumstances that day...

Have you ever heard someone say something that made you want to ask, "What is the matter with you?!!!"

Mm-hmm. I know -- I'm one of those people you've wanted to say that to. But I think I can explain, now that I've read my horoscope in today's paper...

"It seems to you that everyone is probably thinking and feeling as you do, but this is not so. Your ideas and impulses are unique, and you should follow them. As Oscar Wilde said, "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken."

As I said -- I'm extremely tickled now. It explains quite a bit, don't you think" Maybe for other people, too, and not just us Librans!

You have a wonderful day!

Advent Reading -- Another Guest Blog

Three Little Girls with Bangs (Karen, Kate, Bev), 1959 by Rosemary Karlek

(Bangs also by Rosemary Karlek.)

From Watch for the Light/Readings for Advent and Christmas, "To Believe," by Karl Barth:

There are so many gates and doors that must finally be lifted high and opened wide, and there are still many prisoners who must finally be set free. For truly we are among the prisoners, and among the gates that should be opeped, I include our closed ears and lips. Our lips! Because we are actually quite similar to poor Zechariah (Luke 1:11-22). After all, something burns in our hearts that would gladly come out...

That's what I was talking about in yesterday's post!

Something often flames up in our soul that we would like to call out to all people -- a question, a complaint, a word of defiance, a rejoicing, a stark truth -- something of the sort that a person simply cannot keep to himself, once it is there...

Like the blossoms that cannot be contained in one heart, but must take root and spread on contact!

It saddens us to be so alone, to be unable to share with anyone what moves us. It also saddens us to see other people coming and going, all in their own way, all in so much error and dullness when we have something to tell them that would help them. For we sense that their concern is at root our own concern. Above all it saddens us that we are so cut off from each other, that there are always such different worlds -- you in your house and me in my house, you with your thoughts and me with mine. This is simply not the way life is meant to be, this separate life we all lead...

That's exactly what I was trying to say -- I think!

But with one single change we could have infinitely more joy and good fortune and righteousness among us, if we could open our hearts and talk with each other...

Amen!

And then we experience the fact that we are mute. Yes, we certainly talk with each other, we find words all right, but never the right words; never the words that would really do justice to what actually moves us, what actually lives in us; never the words that would really lead us out of our loneliness into community. Our talk is always such an imperfect, wooden, dead talk. Fire will not break out in it, but can only smolder in our words.

Ah -- so often I have complained about my words being inadequate conveyors of what is really inside of me. I can only trust God to be the translator...

***

Note: I do not mean to be presumptuous by placing myself in the company of Karl Barth (Swiss theologian, 1886-1968), but when I read his essay this morning -- so soon after having posted my "family" blog last night --I felt that perhaps it was God suggesting that I allow him to blog for me this morning!

For Families...

I

wish

-- always,

but mostly at

Christmas -- which

is, after all, the season

of Peace and Love...the season

when somehow, in spite of the over-

whelming distractions of commercialism, if

we can find a small, quiet niche somewhere deep

within ourselves, we will feel (often in spite of

ourselves) a quickening...something small stirring,

growing, waiting to be brought forth... It is during

this season especially that I wish there were some

magical eraser that could take away all memories of hurt,

done both to us and by us, thereby making room for that

small seed to blossom; to burst from its tiny, dark

womb and to fill an entire heart with its beauty. See how

light actually emanates from its blossoms! If it is

allowed to bloom, it cannot be contained in one heart;

rather, it spreads, taking root wherever it makes

contact with another heart. Always -- but especially at

Christmas -- I wish...I pray...that we could find room

in our hearts for that small, fragile seed to grow.

For not to do so is to allow all of the beauty

that is in

us to be

strangled

by weeds.