Country Notebook
By Rogene "Jeannie" McPherson
Dear Friends and Family, (and especially readers of the Journal):
It’s a tradition I can’t seem to give-up, i.e. sending Christmas cards and letters. Forgive me if they are a little, shall we say, unusual, but like most of my writings, my goal is to create a smile. Here’s hoping I succeed. I also ask for your acceptance as to using my imagination. I’ll confess at the end.
In September, close to my birthday, I received an email from a Mrs. Santa Claus. Having ever known only one woman with these credentials, I hesitated as she is far too famous to contact me. With so many scam operations going on, I almost deleted the email.
Mrs. Claus and I are not on a first name basis. That raises the question: Does she even have a first name? Anyway, I tried 411 on my phone for directory assistance, and believe it or not, I was put in contact with the North Pole and Mrs. Claus. Contrary to many business calls I make, it was not an automated message. An elf answered on the first ring and warmly transferred me directly to Mrs. Claus. She seemed out of breathe and apologized as it had been a busy morning making candy canes. She verified that she had in fact sent the email and asked if we could communicate in that way. With postage increasing ever year, she sadly said she had to rely on email to keep their operating costs down.
With this assurance from Mrs. Claus, I opened the email. She began, “You were referred by one of the child care agencies in the area as someone who volunteers.” She indicated that she needed extra help this Christmas due to the increasing number of families in need of food and other essential items. Mr. Claus is responsible for the toy department, but she is CEO of the kitchen and food departments. She asked if I would consider filling in at functions where it was acceptable for a Mrs. Claus substitute.
Here is part of my response.
Mrs. Claus, it is an honor and privilege to be asked for your assistance. There are a couple of concerns, however, with one that I pay a lot of money each month to not be white-haired. Two, if expected to fly in on a sleigh, forget that as I am acrophobic, having an intense fear of heights. Three, my schedule is pretty busy for December with some of my own charitable events. Four, I don’t bake cookies anymore as I have a tendency to eat too many.
I assured her I would continue to think about her proposal, but that my capabilities were much more restrictive than hers. I reminded her that she does not seem to age from year to year, unlike those of mortals like myself.
It has, however, caused me to rethink about activities I can still perform. My fingers look twisted from arthritis, but they can still purchase food for a church’s Blessing Box, tie more fleece blankets for those needing warmth and comfort, write a check to the many homeless shelters needing financial resources, and assist with Christmas care packages.
Obviously, Mrs. Claus and I did not communicate, but playing around with that concept, I am reminded how easy it is to give excuses. It’s also somewhat normal to believe there are others more capable of giving. I am trying to reflect upon how I can better be the hands and feet of the Savior as we celebrate his loving birthday.
So, with that brief background, please let me assure you, I have not lost my marbles, although there have been a few times I couldn’t remember what I was trying to find. Sometimes it is real marbles for the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes through Samaritan Purse.
You’ll probably hear from me again next Christmas, but for now I wish for you a joyous, worry-free, and safe holiday.
LOVE TO ALL,
ROGENE
P.S. Only my hairdresser knows for sure in reference to white hair.
P.P.S. Mrs. Claus’ first name is Mary Christmas.
P.P.S. It is not my imagination there are people in Linn County hungry and in need of assistance. We are encouraged to give as we are able.
Rogene “Jeannie” McPherson, from the Centerville area, is a regular contributor to the Linn County Journal. Her latest book Posts from the Country, Adventures in Rural Living is available online at Amazon.com, Thriftbooks.com, and Barnesandnoble.com.
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