~Christmas is for Love~

This has been a day filled with many emotions. I woke up very early this morning in the guest bedroom at the home of Chris, Barbara, Hunter and Oliver Lane. I shared a cup of coffee with Chris before he left for work, and listened and chatted with Hunter and Oliver as they ate their breakfast before school.  It was nice hearing  the morning sounds of a busy family as they were getting ready for their day. When you live alone, the quietness is too quiet at times.  

I ran some errands and drove back to Powell to our family home to prepare for a sorority dinner this evening. Many of our sorority will be away so there will just be a few faithful members attending tonight. I thought I would share a story after dinner in keeping with the spirit of the season. I was looking through some stories pertaining to Christmas, and while I was searching one particular story kept coming back into my vision over and over again.  After I read it I knew without doubt that this is the one I would share.  I will publish this story here for your viewing; the author is unknown, after the story  I will share why this story was meant to be shared today and you too will see the significance of it's importance to me and you too!

Christmas is for Love a Classic Tale

Christmas is for love.  It is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for reuniting with family and friends, for tinsel and brightly covered packages.  But, mostly Christmas is for love.  I had not believed this until a small elfin like pupil with wide innocent eyes and soft rosy cheeks gave me a wondrous gift one Christmas.

Matthew was a 10 year old orphan who lived with his aunt, a bitter, middle aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister's son.  She never failed to remind young Matthew, if it hadn't been for her generosity, he would be a vagrant, homeless waif.  Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child.

I had not noticed Matthew particularly until he began staying after class each day [at the risk of arousing his aunt's anger so I learned later] to help me straighten up the room.  We did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day.  When we did talk, Matthew spoke mostly of his mother.  Though he was quite young when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman who always spent time with him.

As Christmas drew near however, Matthew failed to stay after school each day.  I looked forward to his coming, and when the days passed and he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, I stopped him one afternoon and asked him why he no longer helped me in the room.  I told him how I had missed him, and his large brown eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, 'Did you really miss me?'

I explained how he had been my best helper, 'I was making you a surprise,' he whispered confidentially.  'It's for Christmas.' With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room.  He didn't stay after school any more after that.

Finally came the last school day before Christmas.  Matthew crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back.  'I have your present,' he said timidly when I looked up.  'I hope you like it.'  He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palms was a tiny wooden box.

'It's beautiful, Matthew.  Is there something in it?' I asked opening the top to look inside.  'Oh you can't see what's in it,' he replied, 'and you can't touch it, or taste it or feel it, but mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, warm on cold nights and safe when you're all alone.'

I gazed into the empty box.  'What is it, Matthew' I asked gently, 'that will make me feel so good?'

'

It's love,' he whispered softly, 'and mother always said it's best when you give it away.' He turned and quietly left the room.

So now I keep a small box crudely made of scraps of wood on the piano in my living room and only smile when inquiring friends raise quizzical eyebrows when I explain to them there is love in it.

Yes, Christmas is for gaiety, mirth, song, and for good and wondrous gifts.  But mostly, Christmas is for love.

As I read this story a memory so very clear came to mind, a memory of a small wooden box given to me quite a few years ago.  This box has been in my jewelry drawer with my Beta Sigma Phi Pins, and charms placed inside.  I haven't opened that box or used my Beta sigma Phi items for many years, but I was led to that memory and to that drawer and that box today, after I read the story.  This is what I believe and I am as certain of it as I am of my name and date of birth.  I know that I was re-gifted this small wooden box today!  It is a wonderful Christmas gift, sent to remind me that Christmas is for Love,, and that my love, my heart and my soul mate is still watching over me, caring for me and sharing his love.  My life has been blessed from the first moment that he looked at me across Lynda Lawson's living room, and drew me into his aura playing his guitar and quietly singing one of his own songs written for me. ~Curtis Andrew Lane~  Thank you for all that you have given to me and so many others.  Christmas is for Love.  God Bless my Love, God Bless.....LSJL

Re-gifted and blessed beyond measure

A small handmade wooden box

the gift of Love

'Beautiful words' on the bottom of the small handmade wooden box

~Love of a Lifetime~

This Christmas is for Love wooden treasure is now sitting in front of Curt's picture in the living room so that I can see it always and know that it is filled and over flowing with the Love of a lifetime.