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December6, 2002 - "Miracle of Christmas Lights"
Welcome to 2TheHeart!
"We are all a part of life's miracle ~ each one of us emits a special glow and hopefully when our life is over ~ our glow will always remain." ~Francine Pucillo
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SONGS OF FAITH AND COMFORT BY 2THEHEART'S OWN RITA SPILLERS
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2TheHeart had a bit of a crash yesterday, so if you were wondering where yesterday's story was, it has been moved to January. Please be sure to see the birthdays below today's story!
Francine writes about a wonderful tribute that not only helped her heal and helps spread a spirit of love and remembrance, but also brings the reminder that small miracles can be found all around us.
"Miracle of Christmas Lights"
by Francine Pucillo
Last year around September 31, when the world was still numb from the terrorists attack on our nation, I decided that I wanted to create a memorial in my home for the holidays that would make my heart hurt just a little less.
Doing something in memoriam, for me, is one thing that always makes me feel better. I remember the day was cold and bleak around the end of September and my mind and heart was filled with sorrow for all those wonderful people we lost that day. With a heavy heart I started to think about what I could do.
I found a beautiful tabletop trellis of Ivy that my cousin had given me as a gift the previous year and started with that. I added sprigs of holly and bought some beautiful little angel ornaments that glittered and hung them inside this little trellis of ivy. As they moved I could see that they were going to be a constant source of little lights that would catch the eye. What angel wouldn't?
I gathered up my most heart wrenching pieces of porcelain Precious Moments statues that were related to "sweet memories" of those gone from life too early, and placed them all around the table. One in particular touched my heart, was a little soldier in a car with an American flag waving as he saluted. As new little pieces of porcelain from Precious Moments were evolving in Remembrance of September 11th I would add them. It was a very special memorial that was being created on this table top.
The base of the memorial started with garland of red, white, blue. Christmas lights were strung and interwoven within the trellis in red white and blue. For this we had to replace the tiny little bulbs. We placed two little American flags on either side of the trellis and that was to be my memorial for Christmas for all our fallen heroes. It sort of eased my soul to know that I was doing something that was making me feel better.
My friend Chris and I took great pains to change the light bulbs, delicate as they were, to red white and blue. It looked so beautiful. I kept hoping and praying that the lights would last until Christmas of that year. I had no plans to ever put out the lights for this Memorial, until after the Holidays.
The first night the memorial was made, I noticed blinking. I said to Chris "Oh no, do you think these lights will make it?" She assured me they would, "we just have to tighten them up a bit." And so we did.
Well, you know how it is with Christmas lights, you get them all wound up in the tree carefully placing each one strategically, and then when the tree is ready to go, the lights wont go on. So day after day we looked at the lights and looked at each other and without a word, but with a confirming smile, acknowledged that the lights were holding up.
After the Holidays were over. I decided that I would keep the Memorial up until the lights went out on their own. Until this day, fifteen months later, the lights are still on. Not one bulb has gone out, not one flicker for all these many months and through the First Anniversary of the attack on our country and they have not faltered.
Everyone who comes into my house, marvels at this little tiny tribute to our lost friends and loved ones, and every day the lights shine on.
For me the miracle of these Christmas lights is a special blessing. It is a special gift that I have been granted each time I look over to the little remembrance of lights I say a prayer for all those lost and their families who miss them so terribly. So much sadness we have experienced in life, and a set of Christmas Lights in honor of those gone still glow, and that glow comforts me daily.
For me this is truly a miracle that I witness each and every day and night. I don't know when these lights will start to fade but I know the miracle of it all is this ~ the brightest lights of love, always remain in our hearts and souls forever ~ they are never extinguished.
We are all a part of life's miracle ~ each one of us emits a special glow and hopefully when our life is over ~ our glow will always remain.
I wish you love and an abundance of light always.
Francine Pucillo copyright 2002 franiap@aol.com
Francine also wrote "Katie's First Ballet Recital", found in our archives, as well as two incredibly moving poems in "Angel's Legacy". She is a very gifted poet who has used her talents many times to bring comfort and peace to others. Please visit her web site: Garden of Life's Emotions ~ by Francine http://www.poetry-emotion.com
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2THEHEART BIRTHDAY CLUB!
Happy Birthday to:
Teresa Cox YESTERDAY love4mylord@yahoo.com
Carolyn Hittle YESTERDAY hittleframing@comsys.net
Please send both these ladies belated brithday wishes! THANKS!
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The Letter Box:
Dear 2theHeart,
Mary Ellen's story "Christmas Joy" was definitely just that -- a joy to read. There is something about the way Christmas was celebrated years ago that makes me long for gentler, simpler times, and this story was perfect for depicting that. I hope our children and grandchildren have similar memories as we struggle with the commercialism of today's world while searching for the the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you, Mary Ellen, for the reminder.
Maria Harden
Dear Mary-Ellen,
Your story of Christmas after WWII ended also brought back wonderful memories for me! I was s mall girl but remember vividly the joyousness of having family all together. It seems that even with tragedy, we are reminded to cherish life and family and that was a time of closeness for our family. Your story was so beautifully written. Thank you. Sincerely, Barbara F., Ohio
Dear 2theheart,
This week of Christmas stories has really gotten me into the "right" spirit of Christmas. As you so often do, your stories help keep things in their proper perspective. I have been blesses countless times through the stories on 2theheart - especially this week! They have brought the Christmas Spirit into my home! God bless, Yvonne
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