When the "Merry"

is gone

from "Merry Christmas!"

If you think you won’t be able to stand it if you hear another Christmas song telling you to be “merry and bright”, keep in mind that you are not alone.
The Christmas season can be a wonderful time. But it can also bring to mind the sadness of missing loved ones or watching someone suffer with disease or pain.

Some of these folks recently met for an ecumenical service at the Lundberg Funeral Home.

Part of their tradition, explained Sue Klicka, funeral director, is to put the names of loved ones who had died during the year on ceramic decorations and hang them on a Remembrance Tree. After the service, folks gather around and look for their ornament to take home.

But also, they are mingling with other people who know the heartbreak too.

And nothing needs to be said. But you might like to share a knowing look or a hug.

A similar service is held at First English Lutheran Church. Pastor Phil Ruud has asked folks what was their most difficult time? Some of the answers were:

“The first Christmas that I spent without a loved one, who had died.”
“The first Christmas after my divorce and my kids were with my ex-husband and I was all alone.”
“I remember Christmas during WWII. My brother and my husband were overseas. I was worried about them. It didn’t feel like Christmas at all.”
“The Christmases when my family member was drunk. They were at their worst during the holiday.”

Actually, these thoughts weren’t just from Pastor Ruud's congregation. A couple were from himself. One Christmas he had to confront a relative who had a devastating alcohol problem. Another time he had a relative who was dying.
And, he reminds us, heart attacks, SIDS, and car accidents also happen around Christmas.

"The thought that everyone else is merry at Christmas when you are anything but merry can make Christmas even more difficult."
So he asks: "What can we say to people who are having a hard time at Christmas? What can you do when you find yourself not so much in the Christmas spirit?"

His answer is: "It’s helpful to have people who will listen… and listen… and listen some more to our real feelings and emotions.
“It’s valuable to have people who will accept and empathize and respect our feelings without trying to cheer us up or change the way we feel.”

And "remember that Christmas is the story of how God comes to meet us in all the broken imperfections of ourselves and this world."

The Christmas story itself is not only about the joy of the birth of a child, our savior, but about physical discomfort and fear of the authorities of that day. And soon, "even the wood of the manger would become the wood of the cross."

"But," Pastor Ruud concludes, "Christmas is a story that tells that God comes to be with us… and it can be a time for receiving Christ’s blessing even though we are not merry and bright."

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(Photos from Brian Robison and the Minnesota Vikings.)

Minnesota Vikings

"Benchwarmer Bob"

could advise

"Blitz 'Em Brian"

He's copying me!
Or so it seems to former Minnesota Vikings football player, Bob Lurtsema as he talks about Vikings Defensive End Brian Robison.

Benchwarmer Bob" Lurtsema, Vikings Defensive End 1972-76.

Lurts was a darned good player. But he is also remembered for his endearing commercials for Twin City Federal Bank (TCF). In these he showed his sense of humor when featured as "Benchwarmer Bob". He could kid about sitting on the bench instead of being out on the field playing.

Now it is reality that in pro football you don't always get to be the star. But Bob made that fact less embarrassing as we empathized with him in these commercials. They ran on the air for about 12 years and even showed Lurts being traded to Seattle. According to the commercial he didn't get to fly out there... he drove an old rusty pickup!

So how does this relate to present Vikings defensive end, Brian Robison?

As a rookie last year, Robison ended up being a starter. That looked pretty good for this year's season.

Until the Vikings hired Jared Allen as probably the highest paid defensive end in the league! And Robison got a taste of the sidelines again.

That brought a reminder of "Benchwarmer Bob", all right! And that brought the thought of updating those commercials by having the old "Benchwarmer" train in his successor!
But with one change... we'll leave the benchwarming to the fans and have Robison known as "Blitz 'Em Brian"!

So I contacted the Vice President and Director of Marketing at TCF and told him of my idea. He was kind enough to explain that they weren't running any TV commercials right now but may decide whether to add some next year.

So going back to writing my column, I asked folks for questions they would like to ask "Blitz 'Em" Brian.

Here they are:

Q: What’s the most surprising thing you have learned in your first two years in the NFL?
A: How hard it is to keep my mind off football when the game is over.

Q: Calls of “holding” appear to vary from ref to ref… do you believe that offensive linemen "hold" on just about every play?
A: Without a doubt.

Q: Do you think “trash talk” is effective?
A: It can be if it get's in your opponent's head.

Q: What kind of superstitions or rituals have you seen?
B: One of the guys has to hide his shoes under the training room table, before every game.

Q: Who is the biggest worrier about the games… you or your wife, Jayme?
A: Definitely Jayme.

Vikings Defensive End, Brian Robison and his wife, Jayme
who is a competitive barrel racer. She trains her horses in a stable near Cannon Falls.

Q: How do you wind down after a game?
A: Eat a good dinner and relax for the rest of the evening.

Q: How long does it take for you to stop hurting after a game?
A: About a day and a half.

Q: In the off season, where do you live?
A: We have a ranch in Texas.

Brian's dog, Sadie, shows her preference is for #96 of the Minnesota Vikings.

Now whether "Benchwarmer Bob" ever gets "Blitz 'Em Brian" trained or not...
it's been fun to think of these two Vikings as part of a sport that has fascinated so many people all these years.

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Missing you...

I came home on a flight from the west coast late Tuesday evening

and found a phone message telling me that my friend, Judy, had died.

We had gone to school together from Junior High through college.

She was a bridesmaid in my wedding.

I have had a picture of Judy and me on my desk for several years.

(Or is the correct grammar: "Judy and I"?
Judy would have known.

I always had trouble with those terms!)

The picture on my desk was taken in our Journalism class at Roosevelt High School.

I have looked at it often and smiled as I recalled our enthusiasm and dedication.

Judy was a friend and encourager.

In fact, as I remember her words and her smile, she remains that still.

But this is hard.

I miss you, Judy.

Reality Check!

 

 

Reality Check... Is this for real?

 

Are things as bad as they sound?

How come folks who earn a zillion times more than me still want me to help them out?   

Do we really know what is going on?

            This last question brings to mind a thought from the internationally known motivational speaker and teacher, Kevin Hogan, who attended school in Cannon Falls a few years ago.  In his recent newsletter (check http://www.kevinhogan.com) he asks readers to make a reality check.

Find out if what you think is true, really is.  He gives a quiz to help challenge your mind.

What are the 10 most dangerous occupations in the U.S.?  Just think of two. 

My guesses were: 1) farmers and 2) police.

What did you guess?

In reality, a fisherman has the most dangerous job.  And number 5 is garbage collectors!

 

Here is the list: Deaths per 100,000 workers

1          Fishers/fishing workers   118.4

2          Logging Workers            92.9

3          Aircraft Pilots/Flight Engineers    66.9

4          Structural Iron and Steel Workers            55.6

5          Refuse/recycling collectors         43.8

6          Farmers/Ranchers         41.1

7          Power Line Installers, Repairers              32.7

8          Truck Drivers     29.1

9          Agricultural Workers       23.2

10        Construction Laborers    22.7

 

Kevin added, your reality is shaped by the people you talk to and what the news media presents.

So, could there be another “reality” to the outlook on the economy than what we’ve been reading?  

This point was brought to mind in Sunday’s St. Paul Pioneer Press article by Bill Blazar, Senior Vice President, Business Development & Public Affairs of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.  It’s based on interviews with 700 business owners and/or managers in the state.   He verified his position in an e-mail.

Bill explained that the Minnesota economy "...will grow but at a much slower pace..."  But what was encouraging to me were the words:  “…it will grow”!

Another point was that in Minnesota, "..company sales are up but gains are not as healthy..."

Again, he says: “…sales are up”!   And apparently there are gains too.
Bill adds: "Smaller and midsize businesses with good balance sheets report no significant changes in their access to capital….  Some companies... are reporting excellent years."

On the other hand, Bill mentions that one of the problems in the state’s economy is the problem of a workforce shortage.  That needs solving.  But it could be good news for some of us interested in finding jobs.

Cannon Falls Chamber of Commerce President, Pat Anderson reminds:   “Reinvesting in your community has always been true but is a good reminder at this time."

 

 

Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior
At Classy Restaurant?

Any ideas on this problem?
I had been invited to eat at a classy restaurant. (Keep in mind that I think it’s a treat to pick up a pizza to bring home – even a frozen pizza!)

The valet parking charge alone would have probably fed a family at MacDonalds.

The dining tables were set up beautifully. Many plates and forks and spoons, but I managed all right. And the service was exceptional.

But I would like your suggestions as to what someone can do to persuade the servers (waiters and waitresses) to leave you alone!
You didn’t have just one. Several were available to help at each table. And you didn't know which one would attack next!
Some folks enjoy the attention I suppose.

But I started to feel uncomfortable when I noticed that when someone at our table got up and left their napkin next to their plate, a server came over and refolded it and placed it correctly.
This seemed a little obsessive – compulsive. But this is not what I need your help on.

It was their constantly filling the glasses with water.

Not when you had almost emptied the glass... but when you even took a sip!
I started watching this happen at our table of ten. I had wanted to let the ice melt and just drink the water slowly because the air conditioning made the room so cold.

Of course I was wearing the proverbial “little black dress” instead of my “longjohns”. I later borrowed my husband’s suit coat to wear. Maybe it could have been considered a “fashion statement”.

Anyway, I became fascinated as I watched the servers hover in a spatial holding pattern ready to swoop down on the tables and fill the glasses again.

I wondered what I could do to avoid this.
Could I deftly hang my napkin over the glass? Or would they just fold it again?

After a lull in the action, a surge of servers attacked our table. I grabbed my water glass and held it to my lips and slowly sipped while they filled the other glasses and backed off.
Ah ha! I thought I had them outfoxed now!
I gently sat my glass back on the table and started to relax.

Watch out! One of the servers apparently had been watching me and stayed behind as the others left. Unknown to me he had stationed himself behind my chair… waiting… waiting… waiting to pounce!

I watched in horror as an arm came around from behind me and my glass was filled with cold icy water!

Anyone have an idea of what I could have done?
(Besides saying: “Thank you.”)

A promise kept... (when reminded!)

My favorite

little Halloween story

***
This story was featured on Fm 107's morning radio show with Ian and Margery Punnett. Since they were touched by it, I thought you might enjoy it too.
I know I still do... whenever I recall the moment that tested honesty and revealed kindness.

***

Many years ago when living up in the suburbs, my children, who were around 5 and 3 years old and I tried to raise pumpkins in our garden.

During the summer, the neighborhood "big" kids had been looking them over. I figured the pumpkins might disappear so I talked to the kids and said, "If you like, when Halloween comes you can choose one."
They agreed and the garden was untouched.

Halloween came around and I saw that the pumpkin patch had only produced three pumpkins.
Two were very small.
Only one was nice.

Since I had long since forgotten my promise, my two little tykes and I were starting to carve up the large one when the "big kids" showed up looking for their pumpkin.
Well, my children looked up at me with sad questioning eyes and I explained, "I promised."
And so the big pumpkin was taken away.

We proceeded to carve a little one and put it outside our front door that Halloween night. It looked a little sad and lonely out there.

When my children were ready to go out Trick or Treating we heard the doorbell ring.
When we opened it - there was no one there.
BUT, on the steps, next to our little pumpkin was a beautifully carved big pumpkin!

I think all of us involved learned some nice lessons about keeping promises, even if it hurts, and how to be considerate and kind.

Those "big" kids are all grown up now but I still smile when I think of them and this story.

Thanks kids!



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