Make Good Memories (true story)

by Kay Heitsch

My husband Bill's Grandma Z. was in a nursing home when we moved back to Michigan. Grandma had been unable to walk for quite some time; now her eye sight was almost gone.

Over the years Grandma Z. and I had exchanged many cards and letters. I knew how she enjoyed staying in touch with people. Since I'd come back to Michigan, Grandma Z. thought I should be her "personal secretary." Trying to jog her memory I said, "I guess you've forgotten how bad my handwriting is." Grandma Z. acted like she didn't hear me. Grandma would have me write letters to go in the cards she would send. She would dictate; then I would do my best to write down what she said. Grandma would always have me read what I had written back to her. Grandma didn't have a problem hearing then because she was always telling me, "That is not exactly how I said that!" I would then rewrite whatever I wrote in her exact words.

Since I had some extra time before Christmas, I asked Grandma if she would like to send out some Christmas cards. Grandma readily agreed. I rounded up several different kinds of cards. I knew she had friends and family who all had different interests. I would take each card and describe in detail the front of the card, then I would read the verse inside. After thinking it over Grandma would tell me who she thought would like each card.

After a while I looked up and I noticed that we had several nursing home residents standing in the doorway. I started to notice as I read each card, the look on their faces and Grandma Z's face, too. Each one had a faint smile and a far away look in their eyes, as they were seeing the scenes in their minds' eye.

I thought when I went over to do the Christmas cards I would be doing Grandma Z. a favor, but it turned out that she did me a big favor. I'll always cherish this special memory of bringing some Christmas joy and pleasant memories to Grandma and her fellow residents.

Grandma Z liked to say, "Make good memories!" Thanks to Grandma Z. I made a "good memory" that I'm now passing on to you.

 p.s. This story is also posted in my blog, Let the SON Shine!  on December 3rd, 2008 

Christmas Memory

by Kay Heitsch

"Today is next years Christmas Memory. Make it one you will always cherish, and be sure to enjoy every single moment."

This quote is a great reminder to be aware this Christmas season that we can make memories that we will cherish for a lifetime.

I don't know about you, but I'm guilty of hurrying just to get things done. This time of the year I don't often take the time to cherish and enjoy every moment.

Today's Bible verse is a good reminder to enjoy each day, "This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 NASB

We've all made some Christmas memories in the past. Today is a good day to start to make next years Christmas Memory.

Christmas Prayer (true story)

by Kay Heitsch

As we slowly drove down the street on that cold December evening we spotted the porch light. "This must be the house." I told our "Positive Teens In Action" group.

We pulled up in front of an older home with the porch light glowing. We gathered up our song books, walked up the steps, and knocked on the door. We heard a faint voice from inside say, “Come on in. The door is open." We opened the door.

There in a rocking chair sat an elderly woman with a big smile on her face. "I've been expecting you." she said weakly. Ruth was one of our Meals On Wheels stops I had arranged; along with the usual church members who enjoyed carolers.

We handed Ruth the basket of goodies the teens had assembled earlier that evening. Then I asked Ruth what carols she would like to hear. Ruth's face was beaming as she joined in singing each song.

As we hugged Ruth good-bye she said to me with tears glistening in her eyes, “The day you called I was still in bed. I had just finished praying. I asked God if it would be possible to have some Christmas Carolers come to my home and sing this year. Thank you for being the answer to my Christmas prayer."

Wow, what an awesome experience to have the opportunity to be the answer to someone's Christmas prayer.

Bible Text: When you pray, go to your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

Special Memories

by Kay Heitsch

I have a lot of special memories. I've written about a few of them over the years.

One of the best memories I have is the time I gave a special snowsuit away. Yesterday, a friend told me it was one of her favorite stories. ( "The Snowsuit"  is posted in my blog "Let the SON Shine!"  Jan 11, 2009)

Today's quote is so true! "Sometimes you never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory."

How many times have we gone through something and it didn't seem all that special at the time. It was only later on when we saw the value of the moment.

This Christmas season be on the lookout for those moments that later on just might become, 'Special Memories.'

Let the SON Shine!

by Kay Heitsch

It's very difficult to move forward when you have a child die. It's easy to let the shadows of yesterday spoil the sunshine of today.

When I read this quote, "Don't let the shadows of yesterday spoil the sunshine of today! I thought of Todd.

Our son Todd died on a Saturday. I didn't want to live in the shadows of yesterday. I wanted the Son to shine through the shadows of that day.

Many years ago I started to send out emails on Saturday in loving memory of Todd. I called it, "Let the SON Shine!" It was a play on words, but I wanted the SON's (Jesus') LOVE to shine through the shadows of Todd's death. I also started a blog to record special stories by the same name.

Today is yet another Saturday. It's cloudy here today, but I know no matter the weather the SON still shines.

Spirit of LOVE

by Kay Heitsch

When Christmas rolls around each year not everyone is happy. It can be a time of high anxiety, sadness, and depression. I know because this is what this season of the year was like for me for many years.

It would be easy to allow myself to slip back into that state of mind. However, over the years I've chosen to ask the Lord to fill me with His Spirit of LOVE. I also ask for His strength to do whatever I need to do with a good attitude.  Not everything we do is really necessary. For me, I know I need to keep positive memories in my mind.

Psalm 90:14 TEV is a favorite of mine. "Fill us each morning with your constant LOVE, so that we may sing and be glad all of our lives."

Today's quote, "Let the Spirit of LOVE fill our hearts and homes in this Christmas season. As LOVE fills our hearts help us to show LOVE to those around us."

When we get ourselves off of our minds we can show His LOVE to others and we are happy.

My hope and prayer is that we will ask the Lord to fill us with His Spirit of LOVE. As His LOVE flows in us we can choose to reach out to others and show LOVE to those around us.

Quietness Of Mind

by Kay Heitsch

I don't know about you, but this time of the year I need quietness of mind. That is why I chose today's quote, "Bless us Lord this Christmas with quietness of mind; teach us to be patient and always to be kind." Helen Steiner Rice

All kinds of thoughts run through our minds this time of the year. Thoughts about the past, the present, and the future. Some thoughts are pleasant memories, but some are not.

My prayer this Christmas is that the Lord will bless us with quietness of mind; He'll teach us to be patient and always to be kind.