Friday, December 7, 2007

The Grinch Gets a Heart




Christmas 1997. Well, there we were. Life, as usual, had twisted us in knots. We were short on money, long on bills, and the holiday was around the corner, nipping at our wallets. That year we had a new miracle in our family. Her name was Talitha Marie and she wasn't old enough to know that she was a miracle.

I watched her being born back in September. My younger daughter and her husband were having tough times so they were living with us… which meant that I got to see Talitha every day. She was nearly three months old and changing almost by the hour.

Back in my more arrogant days, among the many silly things I said, was one particular gem—that none of my children would be allowed to move back in with me once they were on their own. I’ve been forced to eat my words several times. That Christmas both of my daughters were living with us! In any case, I have found that God generally gets what he wills, one way or the other. That June, in a matter of twenty minutes, he simply removed all other options. God was determined to give me a blessing I didn’t want.

Tough times can shrivel the soul. On the outside, I carried on, but on the inside, like the Grinch, my heart was several sizes too small. And then, God sent Talitha into my life. Life was still tough. There was little income and large out-go. But when I came home from work and held my granddaughter, things were okay. I forgot how precious the little children are. I harbored resentments and bitterness because of my own failures with my children. With this tiny baby, I was able at last to forgive myself for my failures and simply allow myself to love her without expectations or conditions. When I watched her young parent's faces when they held her and cared for her, then I knew that I did something right. A miracle. Merry Christmas.

Anny

Do you want to win some fantastic holiday reading? If so come celebrate the Twelve days of Romance with 12 authors from Ellora's Cave, Wild Rose Press, Total-E-Bound and Cerridwen Press. Each day beginning December 8th and running through December 19th one of the twelve authors will tell what their "True love gave to them" on either their blog or website. All answers must be received by December 21 at midnight EST.

Collect all twelve answers and e-mail them to
anny@annycook.com with 12 days of Romance in the subject line to win some great books. There will be three lucky winners. The prizes –1st prize--6 books2nd prize--4 books3rd prize--2 booksAll books and prize winners will be drawn randomly.



Anny Cook Winter Hearts
Sandra Cox Boji Stones
Bronwyn Green Ronan’s Grail
Heather Hiestand Cards Never Lie
Barbara Huffert Deal of a Lifetime
Amarinda Jones Mad About Mirabelle
Kelly Kirch Time for Love
Cindy Spencer Pape Cowboy’s Christmas Bride
Brynn Paulin Fallen
JacquƩline Roth Access Denied
KZ Snow Mrs. Claws
Lacey Thorn Earth Moves
Stop by Amarinda's blog for the Saga and general waffling on...I especially love the waffling part... at www.amarindajones.blogspot.com and then go on over to Kelly's place where she's answering interview questions at www.kkirch.blogspot.com and then? Blessings on your Day!

10 comments:

  1. I want to know what happened Christmas 1965. Please have that on the blog tomorrow

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'll tell you what happened Christmas 1965...Mom and Dad brought me home from the hospital:)Hahahahahaha...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Molly, it's not always about you dear. LOL.

    Anny, take the challenge. Do you remember 65? I double dog dare you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. that's right - it's always about me so remember that Molly

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have to admit, I'm curious, how about it, Anny? What happened?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sadly, I have no idea. I have the Christmas 1964 which was memorable, but had planned to do that on Sunday. After 1964, I suspect that 1965 was incredibly dull with no disasters to report at all!

    Will y'all settle for 1964 on Sunday? I had planned to put up a story called The Christmas Mouse tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Christmas mouse...uh huh...why does that not surprise me. Disappointed in your lack of '65 recall. I thought you had every xmas tattooed on your heart. You are slipping ZQ

    ReplyDelete
  8. These posts are Beautiful Anny! Thank you for sharing your holiday memories wtih us!

    ReplyDelete