A gift of words

[Amanzi]

As most of you know, my parents still live in South Africa, and it costs a lot for postage. We dont really send gifts, so my Mom sent me this as my Christmas present, I would love to share it with you all as it really touched me.

Merry Christmas everyone

Unfolding a Rose

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
with these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so sweetly,
When in my hands they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
to unfold this life of mine?
So I'll trust in Him for leading
each moment of my day.
I will look to him for His guidance
each step of the pilgrim way.
The pathway that lies before me,
Only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

[Lindaloo]

HUGS to you and your Mom Bron!! She sent you a wonderful gift.

[Amanzi]

Thanks Linda! I wish I could mail her a hug.

[coriolis]

That make you think, Bronwyn! Put it on a plaque and put it on the wall!

[streetsoldier]

Send it to me, and I'll do it in calligraphy, then...back to ya!

[azskyman]

Your mom is surely a special person.

Over the years, in the most difficult times, I would write a fond note of pride and hope and best wishes for my sons during their teen years. My heart would speak to them on their Christmas morning. Before they opened the gift marked "Open Me Last," I would hand them my handwritten message from me to them written on a Christmas card. I did so with Kathy too.

The idea was not to make the tears come, but instead on that special day make sure our hearts and minds connected in a meaningful way at that meaningful moments.

In recent years, I have continued that tradition. We all know that sometime on Christmas morning there will be lumps in our throats...even tears in our eyes.

But the best news of all to me is that each of my boys now use that moment to write notes of their own, in cards of their own, for me and their mother...and for the women in their lives.

Bronnie...the miles may seem insurmountable, but the hearts and souls are connected by words such as these. There is probably nothing more assuring at Christmas than knowing that...and sharing that.

God has blessed you for sure...

[Amanzi]

Your mom is surely a special person.

Over the years, in the most difficult times, I would write a fond note of pride and hope and best wishes for my sons during their teen years. My heart would speak to them on their Christmas morning. Before they opened the gift marked "Open Me Last," I would hand them my handwritten message from me to them written on a Christmas card. I did so with Kathy too.

The idea was not to make the tears come, but instead on that special day make sure our hearts and minds connected in a meaningful way at that meaningful moments.

In recent years, I have continued that tradition. We all know that sometime on Christmas morning there will be lumps in our throats...even tears in our eyes.

But the best news of all to me is that each of my boys now use that moment to write notes of their own, in cards of their own, for me and their mother...and for the women in their lives.

Bronnie...the miles may seem insurmountable, but the hearts and souls are connected by words such as these. There is probably nothing more assuring at Christmas than knowing that...and sharing that.

God has blessed you for sure...

What a wonderful tradition Steve!

I do know that the situations I have been in over the last few years with holidays and such have really taught me what "it's all about". I have learned to cherish words far more than gifts.