Dec 30, 2006

Never Forget


I came across this article in the province by Tony Gallagher - It's so true !!



IT'S JUST A GAME

This edition of the Vancouver Canucks is providing genuinely new ground even for long-time fans and observers of the franchise. This is perhaps the best defensive Canucks team in history while being one of the most frustrating to watch, all at the same time. It would be easy to conclude they were just a poor hockey team if they weren't so solid defensively and didn't consistently outplay opponents. Sadly, actually putting the puck into the goal is still a requirement for success, and all the chances in the world for this group so far don't seem to be getting the job done, at least well enough to be considered a playoff team. It's around this time of year though that fans of this team should make sure they get a grip. They need to understand the one essential aspect of everything Canuck and everything in this section of the paper. It's a game, and needs to be treated that way. Some people get so frustrated they let it seep into their real world and affect their attitude and deportment. Its all right to let it affect your mood in a positive way when things are going well. That can be uplifting and a real vitamin to help people through these long, dark West Coast winters. But when your team is on a downer, the light must flash - THIS IS A GAME, put it aside. If you think you have it bad, imagined the players. For these guys its their proffession. THere is nothing they would like more than to win and in the bargain succeed personally so as to get that next contract. The frustrations they feel are many more times magnified because of the genuine financial impact on their families, immediate and extended, and no matter how fat and overpaid you think these guys might be, not winning hits them much harder. Yet even these people continually acquire perspective. When they head to Canucks Place of Children's Hospital or in the case of some real brave BC Lions players over the past few years out to places liek Purdy Pavillion at UBC to visit with older people struggling with Parkinson's and Alzheimers, they realize just how lucky they are. Sure that next goal or next tackle is their living, but its' a game. IF they couldn't play most are young enough and fit enough and many smarty enough to do any number of other jobs contributing enormously to their communities. Going out to these places helps them realize it. About five years ago Lions players started to visit Purdy and my father in law who will be spending his first Christmas with our Lord this year, was one of the residents lucky enough to be on the receiving end. He couldn't remember who of course, no matter how much I pressed him, his short term memory was such that he once burned himself three times on the same cup of coffee before we finally got a grip as to how far gone his short term memory was. But he never forgot "a lion player" came to see him. Whoever that player was, his work was outstanding and just as surely, Purdy's work on him would have been just as effective. It would have reminded him he played a 'game' for aliving, that he could walk away from his profession and still be infinitely ahead of every patient-resident in that building and that there are bigger hits in life than on any football field. If the players can get it, surely we media and fans can also come to grips with it. If the Canucks are driving you nuts, make sure that frustration doesn't get through to reality. If your NFL team loses a playoff game, stop the mourning immediate for your family and for yourself. After all, IT'S JUST A GAME

Dec 24, 2006

Teach the Children

This is how it happened...I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree

He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.

He then answered me with a simple statement.
"TEACH THE CHILDREN!"

I was puzzled; what did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said,
"Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle.
"Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR.
"Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE.
"Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree.
"Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself.
"Teach the children that I, St. Nick, ( Santa Claus ) symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."


He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF.
"Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him."

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said,
"Teach the children that God so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON..." "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

"Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy BABE and presented HIM with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree.
"Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."


He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL.
"Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL.
"Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return."

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said,
"Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD."

Dec 23, 2006

Its Christmas !!!!!

'Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus
was anywhere to be found.

The people were all busy
with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking,
and shopping in stores

No one sang
"Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed."
Instead, they sang of Santa
dressed-up in bright red.

Mama watched Martha Stewart,
Papa drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour
the presents they'd wrap

When what from the T.V.
did they suddenly hear?
'Cept an ad.. which told
of a big sale at Sears.

So away to the mall
they all flew like a flash...
Buying things on credit...
and others with cash!

And, as they made their way home
From their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus?
Oh, no ... not at all.

Their lives were so busy
with their Christmas time things
No time to remember
Christ Jesus, the King.

There were presents to wrap
and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember
who died for their sake?

To pray to the Savior...
they had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time
to "Shop til they dropped!"

On Wal-mart! On K-mart!
On Target! On Penney's!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny's

From the big stores downtown
to the stores at the mall
They would dash away, dash away,
and visit them all!

And up on the roof,
there arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights
up on his brand new step ladder.

He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
they never once prayed to Jesus...
Light of the World.

Christ's eyes ... how they twinkle!
Christ's Spirit ... how merry!
Christ's love ... how enormous!
All our burdens... He'll carry!

So instead of being busy,
overworked, and uptight
et's put Christ back in CHRISTmas
and enjoy some good nights!

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Dec 22, 2006

Goalie Graveyard??????



Does this look familiar?

Yes you would be correct in your assumption. Vancouver Fans, are once again, blaming everything on the goaltender!!!! Apparently, the only thing wrong with this team is the goaltending. Cuz we can score no problem, yeah... whatever people ! What do you want Luongo to do?? start scoring goals as well?

Dec 17, 2006

Don't make me go back !!!!!

Two more days of my holidays left! I dont want to go back to work ! I could get used to this staying at home, and having fun! Working for a living is definitely not all its cracked out to be. I guess maybe if you enjoyed your job, it would be a little different, but when you hate it, it tends to get a little tiresome !!!!!!

Dec 14, 2006


Well, my holidays are almost over. I just have a few more days of freedom left. So, I plan to enjoy them while I can. Scrapbooking is the order of the day. Which means I must go to michaels and spend more money, on me ! :) Or I could wait to see if I'm gonna get any scrapbooking stuff for christmas - but thats so archaic. I prefer to christmas shop for myself, its more fun! :) ha ha

Oregon was great ! Wintry, and stormy, and windy, it was amazing ! I love the coast in a storm ! :)