Southern Hospitality

[Jean_B]

So here I am, tucked away here in the BIG hills of Arkansas, about 820 miles from my family, my first Christmas with NO family. The day started out with a hearty Merry Christmas call from my former neighbors (they were the BEST neighbors anyone could ask for). Then I opened Christmas presents with my grandkids over the phone...could hear the paper ripping and the excited squeel from Kady -- "the jeans are SPARKLY!" Zach, well he's 2, so he didn't say much. Followed by Christmas phone calls from my brother in Connecticut and another brother in New York.

And then I was invited to have Christmas dinner with a co-worker's family because she knew I would be here by myself (definitely NOT feeling sorry for myself, I must point out). But it was so sweet ! And the food was great, and now I'm sitting here feeling fat, happy, and content.

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

 

[Marion]

It is great to see people are still nice in this day and age. I am glad that you had a nice Christmas with friends sorry you could not be with family.

 

[miniapp]

Merry Christmas!

Nothing better than sitting down and feeling fat, happy and content... that will be me in about 3 hours....

Suzy Hooper

Show Horses by Suzy

Fresno, CA

 

[Crabby-Chicken]

That is wonderful Jean! Sounds like things are going great. Nothing is the replacement for your family, but it sounds like you have the ground work set down for making some good true friends. And they aren't anything to shake a stick at either! Congrats and I am glad you had a great Christmas.

 

[Marty]

Jean when we got here we were very lost. We were very different and also upset being alone on the holidays. We don't like that.

Then, people began to step up.

The mailman/preacher invited us to his Church for an ice creme party.

The garbage man/preacher invited us to his Church for a live Nativity and caroling.

The neighbor's left baskets on our doorsteps of fruit, another with home make cookies and breads and peanut brittle.

Then we also found some home made chocolate fudge in the mail box.

Now, after some ten years up here, we have learned to return the favors best we can and open up our home to anyone that doesn't have any place to go to. We've had a houseful the past two Thanksgivings and Christmas.

You can learn a lot from people.

It may not be "home" and you may not feel like you are "home" for a long time.

But Southern Hospitality rocks if you just give it a chance.

Merry Christmas Jean.

 

[Cindy]

Jean,

So glad to hear of your new transition ...sounds like you are getting acquainted and settling in.

Here's to 2006 ... may it be bright, healthy and filled with lots of good surprises for you!

Best Regards

Cindy

 

[Happy Valley]

I am so very happy to hear that our Southern Hospitality is still alive and well. I saw a news report on NBC a while back that suggested that Southerners are trying to lose our "backward" image by becoming less friendly and losing our accents so that we will "fit in" in mainstream society. I can't imagine that happening to me in this lifetime. I take great joy in making others feel warm and welcome, and I don't feel backward at all!

Hope everyone's Christmas was as lovely as Jean's, and Happy New Year, Y'all!

Stacye