Finding Laughter In Difficult Times

Over the past thirty-nine years we have had lots of ups and downs. Finding laughter in tough times in no way diminishes hardship, tragedies, or the difficulties encountered along the way. I seek not to make light of situations but rather to find grains of sands that would make our journey more tolerable. Laughter comes naturally for me. I inherited it from my mom. She always finds something funny in everything. That was passed on to my youngest brother, Nels. He was always the family clown. He made us laugh even when no one felt like it. From me, that gift of laughter has passed on to our youngest daughter, Sarai. She’s another clown with quick quips at all times. Laughter seems to have also passed down to our five-yr. old granddaughter. Praise God for that.
You have noticed several people pictured in my blogs. They are the friends I grew up with and have had many memories established with over the years. Here are a few notes on some of them.
Back in 1980, Nels got diabetes at the young age of 20. He’s been carrying that cross 40years. Life hasn’t been easy for him, but he makes the best of it.
Recently, I posted a picture of Benjamin, Terry’s brother. I probably met Ben back in 1967 when I was ten. The guys on the block never spoke to them. We only saw them on their way to church at night. They’d hop in a car with their parents and grandparents but never came out to play. We really came to know them in 1978 when they moved back into the same building (Terry for only six months) after moving out in 1974. In 1978 she brought me to the Lord, though I didn’t make that decision publicly known until May, 1979. One day in 1988, I saw and spoke to Ben as I was riding my bike. A few days later, he was dead. He was shot and killed in front of his young wife and toddler kids. Killed right in front of where he lived and grew up. Being the same age as my brother Nels, Ben was only 27. So sad.
Gil’s brother Angel, the husky, fast, switch-hand baseball player, and deejay, worked as a train conductor for New York’s MTA. Along the way, he ended up needing dialysis 1-2 weekly. This one day in 2008, he was home with Gil in the same apartment where years earlier, they lost their mom and then their dad. As the brothers talked in the living room, Gil asked him if he wasn’t going for his treatments. Angel told him, “I’m not going today, I have this under control.” The phone rang some 25 feet away in the adjoining kitchen. Gil went for it and answered it. As he said, “It’s for you…” he began to scream at Angel who died that quickly. One phone call called him home. Another friend gone.
Later, when I moved with my family to PR. We met Terry and her parents. Once-in-a-blue moon, she would visit us. One day, she was with us and we invited her to our church’s Christmas party about 40 minutes away. Terry headed home first promising to return, but never showed. We called several times, to no avail. She vanished.
Five years later, I received a call from her! She had been desperately trying to locate us with an important message. I asked if she was in PR. She was, and had been so for several months. I asked why she hadn’t called or visited, and she said she was trying to reach all the important people in her life. She then told me, “It’s that I’m dying.” I asked what she meant and she said she had stage 4 cancer. We went to visit her. As you’ll see in the picture below, she was known for her long, jet-black hair. When we saw her, her hair had turned white and she was hunched over. We thought we were looking at an 80+ year old lady. Our son walked in a few minutes later and motioned ‘Who’s she?’ As soon as he heard her voice his eyes opened wide in disbelief. Sadly, Terry passed away August 11, 2011 less than three months before her 54th birthday.

These are real situations. We’ve also lost friends Izzy, Joey, brothers Alex and Miguel, and Ray’s brothers Tomas & Danny. We’ve heard rumors that Danny-Boy is also gone. In the last 4 years I have lost four of my five older brothers. So, although I write about laughter interspersed throughout special memorable events, I do so, acknowledging the brevity of life. In conclusion, it’s important to make every moment count. I find it best to laugh along the way, than to cry. There are enough daily situations siphoning our tears causing great sadness.
“They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy” (Psalm 126:5).
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

God Bless!

Happy New Year!

Sam

Back in the 70’s at Brooklyn College in NY I was enrolled in a psychology class.  It was a large group.  The professor was a clown! He had us rolling in our seats at each session. Humor was in abundance while he taught the curriculum. He had us ‘in stitches’ as the saying goes.  Just before an upcoming test, he told us things such as, “There are students who will study all day, every day for an upcoming test. There are those who will spend all- day with study groups reviewing for it. Then there are students who will not study-ever, but will cram the night before believing they’ll be able to learn weeks of lessons in a few hours. Whatever works for you, do it.” 

Test day came and I guess some didn’t do too well because he addressed us.  He told us something in a serious tone. Something in the realm of, “I want you to know that the class may be fun and I might tell a few jokes and make it all entertaining, however, do know that the tests are serious.” “They’re not jokes-they’re not trick-questions; they’re based on the material we study and discuss here.” “All the material is serious stuff; the test is real!”

We sometimes look at life like that.  We ‘laugh all the way to the bank’ we take nothing serious. We can show-off or we can hide.  We can cry or party away, but the test is real. I hope as y’all read these entries, you’ll enjoy yourselves and will, at the same time, understand that the contents are real.  I hope you’ll understand the seriousness of God and His Word.

True, we can laugh galore, especially when we’re walking with Him in obedience, but when we’re not, we need to know where we stand in light of His Word.

All jokes aside, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

God Bless,

Sam

Cheers to all of you out there who have posted comments on my blog! It’s way-easier to respond this way.
I appreciate the opinions, comments, and suggestions tossed my way!
This is a new experience for me, having never posted or written anything to be shared with others before. I’m learning as I go along! I’m glad y’all are enjoying the reads!
Some entries may contain more serious topics than others. Then again, some issues have been easier to cope with than past ones. That’s life!
Granted, it isn’t always easy to find humor in some situations, as you will soon see! We can sometimes laugh at things right there and then, but sometimes, it can take months or years down the road, to see the lighter side of an issue. There are times when a topic only deals with life & death situations: providing nothing humorous at all. We’re just trying to make the best lemon-aide out there (when life serves you lemons…)! Drink up!
Thanks,
Sam

I’ve written several pieces about Christmas. There’s mention of snow, Christmas trees, tinsel, lights, storms, gifts, and more! Sometimes, in the midst of all that’s related to Christmas, like in the wrapping and the unwrapping of gifts, or the cooking and eating of sweets and meals, it’s very easy to lose our perspective.  It’s easy to lose Jesus. He’s the real reason we celebrate the day to begin with. If you’ve lost Him, you’re not alone.

Back when He was twelve, His parents took Him along to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of the Passover.  When it was all over, as they headed home, they figured He was among friends and relatives.  But they couldn’t find Him.  They had to backtrack and return to the starting point.  After three days, they found Him both listening and asking them tough questions that astounded them.  He was doing His Father’s business (Luke 2:41-49).

Jesus was found! He returned with his parents. Have you found Him? Have you had a ‘run-in’ with Him? Has He returned home with you?  Maybe you have all the ‘hard’ questions for Him.  He can answer them all. And, just as His parents found Him after three days, He rose from the grave for you after three days. Don’t hide Him under a tree, rather, wear Him about you like glimmering Christmas lights. Allow others to see Him through you. Though His parents lost Him, He was found. Like them, you may have to return to the starting point; Back to where you last left Him, or where you first saw Him. You’ll find Him there.

Merry Christmas!
Sam

Back in December of 1978 or ’79, I was sharing an apartment with my best friend Ray. His room was at one end of the place & mine at the other extreme. All eight windows faced the main street, and with the apartment being on the 4^th floor, we received all the cold and winds. The place was almost always freezing. One of us had a fake, in-the-box, Christmas tree that one could ‘easily’ put together in ‘no time.’ We decided to set it up. In somewhat of a jiffy, it was up and going. We proudly stood back and admired it.  “Not bad,” we thought, & we high-fived. Ray left for the day.  Some hours later, my cousin June walked in and stared at it for a moment saying, “Why are there so many gaps in that tree?”  I thought it looked good.  Must be his eyes, I figured.  The more he looked at it, the more convinced he felt that something was wrong.  “That’s it!” he shouted.  That tree is upside down!!!  I couldn’t believe it!!  After all, two ‘Pros’ had done the honors!  June showed me the reason for all the gaps.  All the branches were shooting down instead of upwards. The tree was small at the bottom and wider at the top!! We laughed and laughed. How could we have missed that?! When Ray got home, I had him look at the tree again and then explained it all to him. More laughs followed! I guess the winter cold had gotten to us!  Poor tree!

*Actually, the tree was upright as it should be, but the branches were inserted shooting downward instead of up. The bottom ones scraping the floor!

 On a different day, it was 3 degrees out and I had stayed at my parents’ apartment.  As of 10 a.m., Ray had not been up and about.  So, I took June up to see if he was alive or had frozen to death that night.  There was no heat or hot water in the building.  When we found him, he was face-down on his bed bundled head to toe with his comforter and blankets, and was cold as ice. We told him what the temperature was and then proceeded to turn on the stove and place a pot with water on it to heat the place.  We were able to thaw him out! Another freezing day in our apartment!  What are friends for?!

On either the same day, or on another freezing one, with Ray out again. My cousin decided to help me bake a cake!!! We did it without a hitch.  Then I realized we were missing frosting.  June said, “That’s easy, just make it from scratch!” He asked for chocolate and other ingredients and proceeded to create a batch.  It wasn’t bad.  What was BAD, was everything around us: Since we had no hot water or heat, the sinks and counters were packed with dirty utensils, pots, plates, and cups!  Chocolate was in abundance! There was no way we could wash with ice-cold water! Then, ‘Along Came Jones!’ As the saying goes, Ray walked in! He said one of his favorite phrases; something like, “Holy Moly!” “What happened here?” Then he said, “You guys are going to clean up this place!!” We either waited until the next day or heated water and took turns pouring it while the other person washed them.

I shared this memory (and the ones above) with Ray last night and he remembers well! What he doesn’t remember though, was eating of that cake.  I think June and I ate it all!  It goes to show that even in the cold & icy regions of your lives, you can create great memories.  You may fail to see any humor or fun in them now, but give it time!  I firmly believe you can bake your cake and eat it too!

Later! My brownies are waiting!

God Bless!
Merry Christmas,

Sam

Kenny Nolan had a hit song way back titled, I like Dreaming, as did before him the Everly Brothers with All I Have to Do Is Dream. I think we all like dreaming! Some, like California Dreaming, and others, enjoy dreaming about the mountains or lakes. I go for the mountains. So, let’s dream!
I see snow-covered plains all around. Hills full of snow for miles and miles. The distant sun is half-heartedly hidden. Its reluctance to commandeer the day suggests foul weather remains in the forecast. Like the sun, some people prefer to barricade behind closed doors. Temperatures are in the upper single digits. Full-blown blasts of frigid cold air almost blow me over. Steadying myself in the waist-deep snow I glance at the scenery with head down resisting the hail that cuts through to the bone.
Three hundred yards away, I catch a glimpse of both barren and evergreen trees dotting the landscape. In the near distance, a cozy cabin sits surrounded by all this beauty. I catch a glimpse of smoke ascending from the chimney. The howling wind causes the falling snow to create drifts along the way. Combined with the cold I can feel flurries cutting against my face. Wrapping my scarf around my neck and face, I trudge through the depths of snow slowly inching the hand-hewn cabin. I approach a window. I can see snow on the sills and covering the bottom of the windows. I reach up climbing on a mound of snow and look inside. There, I see a beautifully adorned tree with tiny steady lights, though some blink. This merits a sneak visit inside. Psssttt…not a sound. All is so quiet and peaceful.
I knock and knock, but no one answers. I glance around keeping my head down fighting the frigid cold, but no one’s around. I push the door and it slowly moves. I guess I’ll peek inside, after all, this is a dream! I leave behind the wondrous works of God’s creativity: a small portion of heaven is served right here. I breathe in the cold air. I admire His handiwork.
Opening the hefty handcrafted wooden door affixed with beautiful wrought-iron hinges, I poke my head inside, let out an “Anybody home?” echo. No response. With the steps of a mouse and with the wonder of a kid, I sneak into the living room.
Wow! What a fireplace! The decorations are spectacular and the fire warmly roaring. I immediately begin to feel nice and toasty warm. I remove my scarf, gloves, and coat. I look outside through the huge true divided-light windows. The darkening skies announce more snow is underway. Everything is so peaceful and quiet out there. No tracks on the virgin snow-even mine are gone. The wind’s strength is evident all around as it blows drifts and sways trees.
I shift my view back inside. Just as astounding as the fireplace is the Christmas tree! Must be at least 12’ tall and beautifully decorated with vintage ornaments, satin balls, lots of tinsel, and Christmas lights. Some blink, some stay on. Some clear, some multicolored. I sit on the floor between the Christmas tree and the fireplace. They both look so wonderful. These oak hardwood floors look amazing.
I notice the beautifully and ornately tied gifts. A partly-opened large box is positioned towards the front of the tree. It has gold ribbons & lace. It is stained a metallic scarlet color and has bows. Light seems to emanate from it as if a powerful source lies within. An orangey glow radiates from it.
A golden tag reads: To: Sophia Roselyn*–From Jesus
WOW! That’s a special box! And that name! I recognize it!
The box contains the Gift of Salvation. It’s something that can’t be bought, can’t be made at home either. It only comes through faith in God and belief in the sacrificial atonement of Jesus on the cross (Ephesians 2:8). The radiating glow must be a microscopic version of God’s glory-the one no man can look at and live (Exodus 33: 19).
Near this beautiful box I see several other beautifully decorated boxes; some to the left, and some to the right of it. Each gift box is made of a wood species with detailed carvings; a treasured gift in itself, I’d say! Each, has ribbons and bows, no gift-wrap paper. I notice that this group of gifts are for the homeowner.
It seems Ms. Roselyn has opened and accepted this great gift! Some of her other gifts are still under the tree. Let me carefully slide over and see if I can read what they might be…Shhh…OK, I see four boxes addressed to the Missy of the house…
Box #1-There’s a red Cedar box with carvings. I sense strong smells of cherry ointment, like candy. The label reads: Love. John 3:16 shares this: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes on him, shall not perish, but have eternal life.” She has received the gift of God’s love! That’s a very special gift!
Box # 2-Here’s a square box made of Rosewood painted Sun-bright Yellow and it is labeled Joy. Who doesn’t need joy? Sometimes we may feel like we were baptized in lemon, and sometimes we may even look it! “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13). “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10b).
Box # 3- Is large and rectangular, made of pine, has Emerald-colored ribbons and white lace. Its label reads Laughter. It’s great to laugh! Some people can’t laugh at themselves; much less have someone laughing at them. Sometimes, personal healing comes from being able to laugh at our own goofs and mishaps. In scripture, when the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, the people felt as if they were dreaming! “Then were our mouths filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them” (Psalm 126:2). When our sins are tossed into the depths of the sea (known as the sea of forgetfulness (Micah 7:19), there’s plenty reason to laugh.
Box # 4-A medium-sized box made of Sugar Pine and painted Teal is covered in many strips of lace. It’s labeled, Friendship. Jesus was referred to as a friend of sinners by the Pharisees of His day (Matthew 9:11; 11:16-19). They were not complimenting Him. They considered it an offense. They saw themselves as above others. It was thought inappropriate to ‘hang-out’ with lowly people-sinners which, they too were, but didn’t think so. Jesus came to show them-and us, that there was no difference for “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “I no longer call you servant; for the servant doesn’t know what his master does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). To the right of the Salvation box, are gifts that Sophie apparently plans to share with others. Let’s quietly sneak to the right side underneath this huge towering tree and get a closeup view of them. Doing this makes me feel like our youngest daughter: One day, my wife and I said to her, “The tree is looking really nice with all the gifts under it… and she remarked something like, “Yep, there are 18 gifts there.” We asked, “What, you’ve been counting them?” to which she replied, “Yep, every night.” And I asked her, “You mean, you crawl under the tree to count them?” “Yep!” she replied. So, “Did you include those, and the ones…?” “Yep, & Yep’ came her reply! So it’s been that she would say, “Now there are 34…45..” Somehow, even with all the decorations I usually place on our tree, she would get under it and count every one every night, ever year that she was home!
So, back under and going to the other side…Here we go! These gifts she’ll give away.
Here’s a box made of IPE wood. IPE is an extremely strong and durable wood, and Its ribbon is Royal Purple.
According to Its label, it contains the gift of Trust. I’m impressed! Trust requires strong connections amongst friends and family members, making this wood certainly the right type of species. IPE represents relationships that endure the test of time.
A rectangular box painted Cobalt Blue with tufts of lace and ribbons in gold is labeled Kindness. With what’s going on in our world today, here’s a gift that’s sure to outlast others by a longshot. Kind words as well as acts of kindness seem to be available in short supply.
The next box I come upon is labeled, Encouragement, and it comes in an Oak box with orange ribbons.
Ms. Sophie will be able to encourage friends and strangers alike providing them with ways to build their faith. We all could use some encouragement sometime. It’s easy to feel defeated or unable to go on anymore. This type of gift, the receiver can use over and over. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11
Outside, the winds are picking up. Howling is heard as the skies grow ever-darker. I wonder if there’s hot chocolate…ssshhh…
Just a few more to go…A beautifully painted box made of Maple, adorned with Pink lace and ribbon, is labeled Hope. In a world losing its hope, this gift is most appropriate. Those of us containing this gift need to share it with others. Give them hope for the long haul.
I see a circular box made of Black Walnut adorned with ribbons in Fuchsia. Its size is small but it packs a mean punch. In it, you can find the gift of Time. Like the box’s shape, time just keeps going; No beginning, no end.
Make time for others…Time to listen to them, to read to them, to talk, shop, play games, or do sports. Though time seems endless, your friends’ time may be running out-or yours. Don’t leave with unspoken words in your heart. Soon, the day is coming when time shall be no more as we enter into eternity.
Well, I’ve enjoyed myself here warming up, taking in the sweet aromas of these fine gifts, admiring the tree and the glowing fire. I hate to go out!
I hope I’ll receive some of her gifts! But, honestly, I’ll gladly accept the empty boxes!! Oh, the wood, the carvings, and the smell of it all!
Don’t know when Sophie will return, so I’ll just leave her a note by the gorgeously carved hefty, rough sawn mantle.
“Dear Ms. Roselyn,
Sorry I missed you! Will pass by again soon! I love your beautiful house!
Time to bundle up again. Once again, a waft of cherry, vanilla and cinnamon potpourri permeates the atmosphere. Out the door into the dusk I trudge. Snow’s about six feet deep now. I’m thankful for a dream of God’s beauty with the soft-falling snow. I enjoy the powerful winds, His majestic creation, and His sacrificial gift for me. I brace myself for the long trek home through the mountains, through the woods, thinking of His unfailing love, His wondrous gifts…
Time to get up. Time to live. Time to dream. Time to make dreams come true.
Merry Christmas! Thank God for His Indescribable gifts (2Corinthians 9:15)! Unwrap yours today! Share them!
God Bless,
Sam
*Disclaimer: The names Sophia, Sophie Roselyn, is a fictional name. Any connection to an actual person with this name is merely coincidental.

Outside, the cold winds blew hard while snow-flurries dusted our streets. We often went outside to play in the snow. From snowball fights to building snowmen, to falling down in the snow to making footprints, etc. we loved playing in it! The stillness surrounding the snowfall made the days extra special. In the evenings, the gusts sometimes increased and Christmas lights came on in neighbor’s windows. Such a pretty sight. We loved being outside rain or shine. But come snow, that was an extra treat. We’d play two-hand tackle football because we would attempt running and we’d laugh just trying to move as fast as we could as flurries went in our mouths, but couldn’t actually run! And, it was hard to get tackled! We could also fall without getting hurt. Such a great blanket! When we’d get cold enough, we’d head back inside my building to thaw by the radiator. Being the tallest building on the block, and having a step-down section at the back, we would sit and hide underneath the stairs and warm our hands and feet for a few minutes before heading back out.
Snow is such a God-thing. How’s it made? How do such tiny flakes connect in huge amounts to form several feet of snow? Scientists have their theories and they can even explain them. It’s amazing, isn’t it? Back in April 14-15, 1921 (in a one-day period), Silver Lake, Colorado received 76” of snow-that’s over six feet (Guinness World Records, 2007 p.29)!
In a week’s time, in Iran back in 1972, a blizzard dumped over ten feet of snow (Guinness World Records, 2019 p.44)!
And, in a one-year period, Tamarac, California had the greatest depth of snow on the ground at 451”-over 37 feet (Guinness World Records, 2007 p.29)!
Imagine a huge warehouse of it ready for delivery. Can you imagine? Imagine entering a huge place full of snow where you can play & play and not tire of it! Imagine having a room nearby, or in your house filled with snow and just saying, “Mom, I’ll be next door!”
Does God have a point of view on this? How does He explain it? Does He agree with scientist’s findings? Or does He have a different take on it? I’ve asked Him. He gave me the same answer he gave Job when Job thought he knew it all.
“Have you visited the treasuries of the snow, or seen where hail is made and stored” (Job 38:22)? I guess He does have a view! And a close-up one at that! He’s got His own ready-made snow as back-up for emergencies!
Winter Memories are great. Sometimes, special things tend to take place. Gentle-falling snow, sipping hot chocolate, baking or eating chocolate cake, sharing baked cookies, or even finding love, which reminds me of the lyrics to the song, Winter World of Love, by Engelbert Humperdinck:
“And in our winter world of love, You’ll see, we always will remember
That as the snow lay on the ground, We found our winter world of love.”

It’s so unfortunate that we can never get back the days and times we leave behind. That’s why it’s so important to cherish each day; cause we ain’t getting them back. I wonder, will there be snow in heaven where time will be no more? We’d have some mighty long days of fun! Won’t have to go up, or inside until tomorrow. And snow won’t have to melt or turn to slush. We could get twenty feet at each snowfall! We could bury each other as when playing in the sand-and no one would get hurt or die since death will be no more!
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12NKJV).

Merry Christmas!
God Bless,

Sam

The excitement of all the kids on our block was opening our curtains, rolling up our blinds or shades, and discovering white-blanketed streets! It mattered little if our apartments had heat, or not; or if we had eaten. Getting out was the most important thing on our minds! Everyone wanted a piece of the action. We’d grab our coats, gloves, hats, boots, and scarves, if we had one, and head outside! If the guys weren’t out, we’d yell them out. They’d rush to their windows and once they saw white, they knew what to do!
I remember one day going downstairs and actually being like the last kid there! I couldn’t believe I had missed it! We had had a blizzard and kids were on boards, panels, on just about anything they could slide on. Snowballs were flying left and right. I joined right in. Age didn’t matter. In fact, no one thought about it. There was the snow, and we headed straight for it.
Snow can be so white it can be blinding! That’s especially so when the sun hits it. Sometimes, we want to be the first to dive into it or to leave our footprints in it. When snow gets dirty, though, it doesn’t look too good. The thrill goes.
We want our lives to be pure and white like clean snow, but we know our lives can feel dirty. Sin makes us like that. It’s what separates us from God’s holiness. Standing before His presence no man feels clean. His pureness is such that all else falls short. Sin and holiness clash. His glory and our gloom, don’t mix; but it doesn’t have to be that way! He’s got cleansing power! “His blood (sacrifice) cleanses us from all sin…and from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:7b,9). Your life will be white as snow when the Son shines on it!
“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool” (Isaiah 1:18b)
So, put on your gear and dive right in! Leave your footprints!
You’re clean as wool before His eyes!

God bless!

Sam

Looking back at Christmas from yesteryear, I can relate to Stevie Wonder’s title-hit, Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday. Particularly, the line: “What happened to, the world we knew?” We all can agree with Bob Dylan’s famous line, “Times A-Changing.”
Back, when I was around 8, I can see myself on the floor face down coloring with my older brother Vincent. On a particular day, my parents were getting ready to leave. I immediately shot up asking where they were going. It seems Vincent knew what was up, since he didn’t budge. My parents told me they were on their way to see Santa. “Well, if that’s the case, get on outa here,” I thought! Upon their return, I remember my mom telling me that a certain toy car we wanted, could not be found. Santa showed them all the lists he had; one after another, but it didn’t appear anywhere. That was a real bummer!
However, he found it under a different name!
Growing up, my memories of Christmas, just like my wife’s, were characterized by certain events: Our parents always played their typical Christmas songs. Those songs, in Spanish, originated in the mountains. They dealt with the hardships of the Jibaro (The ‘J’ has an ‘h’ sound in Spanish). The jibaro was a person who worked the land growing crops and tending animals.
Our parents would play songs by a famous singer, Ramito, as they worked hard in the kitchen making ‘Pasteles’-a typical food made with green bananas, taro root, etc. [For more info on this delicacy, go to ‘Pasteles de Masa’ (Puerto Rican Taro Root & Plantain Pork Pockets) thenoshery.com)]. They had to grind meat, add olives, etc. then wrap them in either banana leaves or in a special type of paper made exclusively for them. They took hours and days to make. Once done, they were tied with string and placed in a large pot to cook. Most pasteles were five to six inches in length, like a burrito, but my dad made his twice as big. My cousin, Rosin, called them 747s! This being back in the mid-60s, the title was appropriate!

While things were being cooked, including Budin De Pan (Bread Pudding) & Arroz con Dulce (Coconut Rice pudding), the aromas flooding the air, and music playing in the background, we kids would usually put on a sweater and went outside to the hallway to play as quietly as possible. We’d run back and forth, played bowling, played checkers, catch, etc. Y-a-y!! The season was here!
Even though my wife and I didn’t grow up together, in comparing notes, we have found these events were typical of most of the families in our neighborhoods.
Those were the Christmases where almost every kid on the block usually received a blue and black Tommy (machine) Gun which sold for between $1-2.00, a good-quality pinball set $.19 for a small one, $.39. for a medium one, $.59 for a large one, or $.89 for an extra-large one. Another thing most of us used to get, like my brother Vincent, was a hand-held, either deep blue or bright red, 1963 Kenner, Give A Show 50-slide-Show projector with lots of Yogi Bear or Huckleberry Hound cartoon slides. We’d add the six large D batteries and show it on the walls or ceilings.
Under our trees, there were usually gifts that included guitars as well as train sets. Of course, most everyone received a huge net-like Christmas stocking stuffed with small toys, small games, and lots of candy. Once in a while we were asked what we’d like, but mostly we received whatever came our way.
Christmas can be about toys and games, though not always. More than gifts, it’s about time spent with those we love, like when my five older brothers with their wives or girlfriends visited for dinner. Along with them was my cousin Rosin and some of her eleven brothers & sisters.
The smell of roasted pork (pernil), yellow rice with pigeon peas (arroz con gandules), and pasteles permeated the small apartment where young and old alike, gathered to celebrate the most important of all holidays.
“And unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
Looking ahead some fifty-plus years later, occasionally, we might hear someone playing some of those old typical songs, and our minds will automatically race to those settings; settings of long-ago. Christmases of yester-me, yester-you, and yesterday where families gathered together inside working on family traditions, songs of old were listened to, the radiator pipes clanged as the ‘steam’ rose fogging our windows. Meanwhile, kids played in hallways without fear of danger. The holiday seemed to last forever.
Remember, giving love, lending a hand, or making time, as when my wife set aside days and moments and baked cookies and cakes with our three kids as they were growing, and taught our daughter to cook at age seven; or when she’s baked with our grandkids, are priceless. Those moments have been so special to her. For both of us, these memories have been the greatest gifts of all, and they’re sure to last a lifetime.
This Christmas you too can create special moments and special gifts with those you love.
**As I was writing this piece, I received a text from my good friend Ray, on the other side of this planet, asking if we knew how to make ‘pasteles’ so we could mail some to him! I referred him to this blog and site, since, unfortunately, we don’t know how to make them!

Merry Christmas!

Sam

At about age ten or eleven, I remember going with my little brother and our parents to buy some toys.  Not far from home was one of the best stores to shop at.  It was a tall, 2-3 story warehouse building on the corner of Broadway Ave. in Brooklyn near the El.

It was easy to get to walking, but for this occasion we had to take our car because my parents would be buying lots of stuff. The minute you stepped in the store, you were taken aback due to its height and volume. It was huge! We loved it! After being closed down for several years, it had recently opened-and we were glad! What impressed me most was the number of toys and games.  They were stacked really high.  I remember seeing what just about every kid wanted: a Johnny Eagle hunting toy rifle/gun combination. The boxes must’ve been stacked at least 15’ high.  One could choose from the Magumba, The Red River, or The Lieutenant.  I got the Magumba-it didn’t come with the gun, but it was nice, and I still have it! That was over fifty years ago! I still have the toy bullets that go with it. My brother and I had to stay put in one place once my parents began getting more and more toys.  It was easier to leave them with us while they shopped.  I doubt there were shopping carts back then, at least in that store. Besides, the store was packed.  Something else I received that year was a Lionel Train set! What kid doesn’t love a classic train?

I remember leaving the store around 9:30-10:30 p.m.  We dashed home!

Almost everyone loves shopping! We love going to see what’s out there. And Christmastime, with all its lights, mechanical decorations and lights, appeals to us all.

God wants us to shop!  He’s into shopping too!  Isaiah 55:1 tells us: “Ho, come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!  Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost.  Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?”

Wine and milk speak of the anointing and spiritual growth in a believer.  “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (John 7:37).  He’s out to satisfy our thirst for all things spiritual.  He is Living Waters. If you’ve been running from religion to religion, or from humanistic emptiness; or from anything that’s full of promises, promises but has left you empty, you need Jesus in your life.  The difference? Only a round peg fits in a round hole.  Likewise, only Jesus can fill the emptiness in the human heart meant to house God.  Only He can fill the void-any void.           

 He even hands out free samples!  “O taste and see that the LORD (Yahweh) is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him” (Psalm 34:8).  When we’ve gone from fountain to fountain, that is, from one source to another seeking thrills or frills to fill our wills, and find that nothing does, try God. And not all the crazy rules and objections that man might impose, but give yourself to Him. Wrap yourself in His forgiveness.  Tie a bow of His love around yourself and say, “Here I am God, please accept me.” And He will!  Now place yourself under the tree. Afterall, your name’s already there! When Jesus died on the tree (Acts 5:30), it was for you that He died. He was thinking of you.  He nailed your name there with all your sins, and all your shortcomings! Amazing!

Who says God can’t relate to us?!  He went shopping for us all: “You were bought at a price.  Therefore, honor God with your bodies” (1Corinthians 6:20 NIV).  Only, His shopping wasn’t with money or credit cards, not even Bitcoin or checks; but with His life. With His precious blood.  This Christmas season let’s honor God in all we do.

God Bless!
Sam