Learning That Different Is Just A Word

 The two angels stood behind Grandma Lu's chair as she was getting her pictures together. Of course, you couldn't see or hear them. The older of the two angels said, "You know Grandma Lu is one of the reasons I am ready to retire. I have been looking after her for years. Even when she was a child she was a handful. She kept her parents and me on our toes. She's had broken bones, been in car accidents, had a need for speed when she was a teenager that even made me cover my eyes. Now that she's an old woman, she still needs someone to look out for her. Gracious sakes she just had another broken bone not too long ago. Hopefully, you can take over for me without any trouble. She seems to be happy here at Marleewood telling her stories not just to the children but to the adults as well."

About then Marlee said, "Hi Grandma Lu! Are you going to tell a story today? What are you looking for in that box?"

"Oh I was just looking for some old pictures and pamphlets and stuff that I have in here. Boy I sure save a lot of stuff. How are you anyway? I haven't seen you for awhile." Marlee grinned and said, "I'm good." Then she looked up and said, "There come some people I haven't seen before. Who are they?" Grandma Lu grinned and said, "Oh they are friends of mine. I invited them to come to Marleewood for snacks today. "How are you folks? What have you been doing today?"

Marlee said, "Wow, you look really different! Are you dressed up for Halloween?" The children laughed and said, "No, it was 80's Day at school. Who is that in that picture you are holding, Grandma Lu? That lady sure had big hair and big glasses." Grandma Lu laughed and said, "Well, that was me in the 80''s and yes we did wear big glasses and big hair. That was right before I moved to Humansville a long long time ago."

Marlee said, "Oh you look really different than you do now."

Grandma Lu smiled and said, "Let's talk about different. What does different mean? What is different than short? Marlee said, "Tall." Grandma Lu said, "Right you are! You gave the meaning of the word opposite. Another opposite would be the opposite of happy would be sad.  We are learning all kinds of words today. Okay let's play a game. We will say a word then say something that is different." The children started to come closer to her chair. She said, "There are lots and lots of things about people that are different. Some people can't walk. Do you know what some people use to get around?" The children started talking among themselves, talking about things that they had seen people use to get around like wheelchairs, canes, and walkers. Without her even saying much of anything else, the children said, "Some people wear glasses and some don't. Some people can't hear very good so they wear hearing aids, and some people have trouble talking and writing. I have a friend that I really like; he is different than me. He has different color skin. His skin is much darker. The adults that had been in the kitchen started to listen to the children and added some of their differences; some people can play the piano and some people can play basketball and sports really well and other people can't even though they want to really bad. They need some help and some encouragement to achieve their goals."

So Grandma Lu said, "You all have the right idea. So now tell me how we are all alike."

About that time the elderly uncle and Charlotte, and a nice lady walked in. Charlotte said, "We have just been to the library. We found out all about the Special Olympics. That's one place where we are all alike. We all like to have fun and have friends. If people have a goal  (a goal is something to work towards that is really important to you) to do things like be in a race or play basketball or even ice skate, there are people there to help them at Special Olympic gyms all over the world. Everyone smiled and agreed with her that goals were important and being able to achieve too. The one thing about a goal is that you sometimes have to work really hard to achieve it."

So Grandma Lu said, "Well, tell us all about what else you learned at the library. I have some things here and some pictures and of course, a story or two to go with them. But first let's hear what all you learned for instance where and when did the Special Olympics begin? What makes it different than the Olympics for people without handicaps? Oh there's a word to learn isn't it? I think it means that it is harder for some folks to do some things than others. Does anyone have another meaning? One person said, a handicap gives you a disadvantage at some things like running if you don't have legs, or having trouble remembering things in school. Does that count?" Grandma Lu said, "It sure does. There are all kinds of handicaps aren't there?" 

 She looked at the older gentleman and said, "Don't I know you from somewhere? You look so familiar."

Charlotte And The Elderly Uncle Go To The Library

After Spencer left the cafe he went home and discovered that his sister and her new baby were visiting. He just loved being an uncle and now he had a new little niece to cuddle and protect. When he tiptoed into the bedroom there she was sound asleep. He kind of grinned to himself and thought, "I kinda like her. She's so little and cute." It seemed like no time when Lani woke up and was able to snuggle for a bit with her Uncle Spencer. It was so much fun. While he was holding the tiny baby he thought about his new friend at the cafe. He really would like to play basketball again. Hopefully this bad sickness would go away so he could go back to play with the other kids. It seemed like it took forever though so he guessed he would have to do something at home that he enjoyed. He loved YouTube and thought maybe someday he would like to help other people make videos and give them tips on how to do better and get better scores. He also had another idea in mind, but that might take some doing.

After dinner that evening, Charlotte told her elderly uncle about her new friendship with Spencer. She said, "Do you know anything about Special Olympics? I haven't heard about them until today when I was talking to Spencer. He said they have lots of things to do. Are they like the Olympics that happen in the summer and winter? Don't they happen every four years or something? I don't know much about them at all. I know when I was in school they had different sports. They had track meets, basketball games, and football games that schools would compete against each other. The only Olympics I know about are the Olympics that are played by grownups in the summer and winter time.

Charlotte's elderly uncle said, "Well, I'll tell you what let's get ourselves to the library in the next few days. I know the librarian there. She actually sent me a Christmas card with Santa on it. I may have thrown it away. I didn't believe in Christmas and all the joy it brings to children and most adults back then. I'll have to see if I still have it. I'm sure she will help us find some books or pamphlets telling about those Special Olympics."

"I do know this much it was started by a sister of one of  our presidents almost sixty years ago. His name was John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Lots of us called him JFK for short. Let's make a date after you get off work this week. I'll take you and a friend or two to the library and then afterwards maybe we can find something fun to do. How's that sound?"

What Charlotte and her elderly uncle didn't know was that Charlotte's guardian angel had stopped off at Marleewood on her way to retirement. She had brought her apprentice angel who was in training with her. Marleewood was just down the street from the library.  Grandma Lu was getting ready to tell a story. People that knew her well knew that because she was going through her old photo albums.

New Friends Share Dreams Of The Future

 Charlotte was really tired today. "I must have had a gazillion customers already. Even with the new help I can hardly keep up. I may have to move into a bigger building. I am so glad they like my food, but I am just pooped."About the time Charlotte thought she could take a break a customer walked in the door. It was the young man that Charlotte had noticed many times. He came in with his sister and parents or sometimes by himself. She went over and asked him what he would like. He said, "I would like a piece of pizza and a Sprite please."

Charlotte said, "Coming right up!" When the pizza was ready the cafe was empty except for Spencer. As she put down his food she said, "Mind if I sit with you for awhile? I need a break and someone to talk to, okay?"

When she sat down with her own cold drink Spencer said, "So what do you want to talk about?" "Oh, I don't care. Do you like sports? I like dancing, fishing, and swimming. I love playing with my kids and I even like visiting with the old uncle I moved in with a little while back. He's really interesting when you get to know him. I don't have any other family but my kids so he has been my advocate. He stands up for me when I don't know the right decision to make. He has set up an account for me to put my money in at the bank. He said someday I will have enough money to maybe buy a bigger building for my cafe. Wouldn't that be cool? It would be a dream come true. I can just see it now; a big building on main street with people waiting in line to get a table. I think I will even change the name to Charlie's. How fun to think about things we would like to do someday."

Spencer said, "I haven't heard that word before. But I think my mom and dad are my advocates. Does that sound right? They make decisions for me all the time. Some decisions I don't like, but they say it's good for me, so I do them. I like to learn new words and do new things. I like school a lot. I am learning to read, and write and draw. Guess what? I started Special Olympics last year, but because of that bad virus making people sick they didn't have it this year. I hope we can go back soon. My sister and some of her friends play basketball and I would like to play too. I guess my dream come true would be to make a basket from a long ways a way. That would take lots of practice though, wouldn't it?  Special Olympics has basketball and all kinds of other sports to play."

Spencer and Charlotte had a good time visiting and telling each other what they would like to do in the future and becoming good friends. Spencer had other friends, but another one was just fine with him. He loved people and it seemed to Charlotte that people liked him too.

After Spencer went home she soon closed up the cafe. It was time to go home and help fix dinner and play with her kids. After dinner she was hoping to talk to her elderly uncle and ask him about Special Olympics. She had never heard of them before.

Rudolf Had A Head Cold

 Santa Claus loved his wife dearly, but my goodness that woman could talk. He had been around for hundreds of years so yes he did have lots of stories to tell, but he just had a feeling tonight he needed to be out and about with his elves and his reindeer to make sure all was well for his trip tonight. There were so many good little boys and girls that the sleigh would really be full of gifts. He looked up to the sky and thought, "I am so lucky to have Rudolph to guide my sleigh. He has had the brightest nose for many years. I wonder what happened. Maybe my transportation secretary was wrong." As he stepped out the door the wind about knocked him over it was blowing so hard. As he made his way to the reindeer barn he saw one of his elves with his arm around one of the alpacas that was in training to be a service animal on a farm for special people who needed an animal to love.

"Ho ho ho, you there, what's going on out here? It's Christmas Eve you should be helping the rest of the elves to get everything loaded onto the sleigh. I need to get going in just a few minutes."

The alpaca started to hum very very loudly. Santa could barely just hear and see him over and through the wind and snow. He couldn't believe his eyes. An alpaca with a shiny nose? I have never heard of such a thing. Where is Rudolf anyway?"

The elf yelled, "Rudolf has a head cold and his nose is not shining tonight. Fox says he will lead your sleigh tonight. What do you think?"

Santa tilted his head to one side, then the other. He put a finger to the side of his nose and said, "Merry Christmas to you, Fox, you will guide my sleigh tonight!"

As Santa made his stops around the world he saw sadness, joy, war, and peace. He saw illness and bitterness, but he also saw loving and wonderful people helping each other through this crisis of the world. He saw doctors, nurses, truck drivers, and folks working so hard in the grocery stores. He saw parents having to leave their children with family while they cared for the sick.  He always hated it when he couldn't help those children that were hungry and homeless, but he did his best to send his helpers in those places and countries. He stopped at children's hospitals, and homeless shelters and church dinners as often as he could. He tried his hardest to soften hard hearts like that of the mean old uncle in Charlotte's town. He passed the magic ruby for those that were unable to do it themselves like sick folks that whispered in Santa's ear for help. He promised those folks he would do his best, but couldn't make promises all the time. He always left a breath of joy and happiness even to the very old and alone by leaving a promise of yet to come and memories of past Christmas's with their children and grandchildren to help them sleep at night.

As he traveled that Christmas Eve leaving gifts for the good little boys and girls, he told himself, "You know old man you have seen even worse throughout your travels. These folks will make it through with strong wills and strong backs and love in their hearts, yes they will make it through. And what's more? I'll be here to see it because as long as their are children with hope in their hearts the spirit of Christmas will never die."

On this Christmas Eve Fox asked Santa for his own Christmas wish. A very special lady would love a visit from Santa. He knew the way because he used to live there before he was promoted to the North Pole. She was kind and loved the baby animals on her farm. Some called her the Boss, some called her Mom and others called her Mrs. Anderson, but she called herself fortunate. Fortunate to have such a loving family, friends, care giver and home. Juanita, her real first name, did get a visit that Christmas Eve with a promise of new life on her farm just as he had promised for generations.

Santa called over his shoulder, his eyes wet with tears that foggy Christmas Eve, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a very good night!"

Charlotte's Business Was Booming

Charlotte and her children and Marlee and her little sister were all invited to live with the wonderful old man who was Charlotte's mother's uncle. He had a huge house and plenty of room for everyone. Charlotte was given the go ahead and some money to start her own cafe in a new location. She started small, but she was so happy with her cute little diner. It was all done in pink her very favorite color. The news had spread that Charlotte had good food for a reasonable price so her business was going well. Hopefully not too well. In recent days she had had to hire help in the kitchen because it seemed that after school basketball players and football players liked her Christmas cookies and early morning customers liked the pancakes her new cook made.

She always greeted her customers with a smile even though at times she got really tired.

The kids always seemed full of fun and generally good but one young man that she noticed that sometimes came in with his sister and once in awhile by himself seemed so nice. She decided that someday when he came in by himself she would take a break and visit with him. She had a feeling that he was special and would make an excellent friend for her children.

Even though the wind was howling and the snow was blowing you could hear Santa laughing clear from the North Pole. What in the world was happening up there?

Do Angels Ever Want To Retire?

 The nice lady that owned the diner that Charlotte worked at was getting tired. Her business had been booming since her new waitress came to work for her. Suddenly there were moms with their children, and their children's friends and families. There were even some basketball and baseball players that stopped by for a cold drink or a sandwich. "I'm happy I have so much business, but I'm getting tired of working. I'd like to retire someday." She often thought of the old man that lived in the huge house on the edge of town. What was he thinking when he turned down his own niece's child and her children for a place to stay? She just couldn't understand someone like that. She had a mind to just go down there and give that old man a piece of her mind. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm going to do right now."

The walk to the old uncle's house seemed to take forever. It seemed like the longer she walked the angrier she got. Suddenly she heard a soft whisper in her ear. "Take it easy my dear. You know you have been in charge of Charlotte even before she walked into your diner. I have sent some junior guardian angels to your diner and to the boarding house to watch over her and her children in the evenings as you know. The mean old man as you call him  actually used to be a very nice man until he decided that money was more important than friends and family. I think maybe you should invite him to eat at your diner and meet Charlotte. If all goes according to my plan you can retire and let the younger angels do the hard work. How does that sound?"

The nice lady happily agreed to the plan and did indeed visit the old man, but with a smile on her face. She told him she wanted him to have a nice meal at the diner and meet Charlotte. After a lot of convincing and blustering he agreed. The end result was the beginning of retirement for her and a new home for Charlotte and her children and also for two little girls that were running an ice cream stand just down the street.

Marlee and her little sister Whitlee Jo had seen a miracle take place at their little ice cream stand, however, the weather was getting cold and Christmas soon would be here. "Marlee said, "You know we have been blessed, Whitlee. We have enough money to buy food for our Christmas dinner tomorrow and a nice warm room to sleep in for a night or two. I have been noticing that a lot of people have been going into the diner down the street. Would you like to go there and have something to eat? Tonight is Christmas Eve so it will be our special treat. What do you think, okay?"Whitlee agreed only if they could take their dog, LaRue with them. Their trip down the street resulted to a very unexpected and wonderful meal and the beginning of a new life.

                                                                       *********

"Oh oh, I just had a feeling there was going to be trouble tonight, said Santa. I've just gotten a message from my transportation secretary. Rudolph's nose isn't shining. I have no other reindeer with a nose so bright to guide my sleigh tonight. The weather man said it's going to be foggy out there. I just have to go, Dear. I'll let you know what's happening. Hopefully, I will find another reindeer to fill in for Rudolf. I'm not exactly sure where I'm going to find one. Wish me luck! I could use one of those magic rubies right about now," he chuckled as he went out the door.

Santa Said He Can't Ever Be Late On Christmas Eve

Mrs. Claus said, "I love your stories. Do you think it would be disappointing to the children if you were late tonight?" Santa said, "I cannot ever be late. Oh the children would be so upset. I am so glad that I have so  many people and elves helping me. It makes it possible for me to spend more time with you."

Mrs. Claus said, "I know. I can't even count how many helpers you have; here and around the world. Do remember Regan? She lives in the middle of the country. She is a believer for sure. Why don't you drop off a magic Christmas ornament for her? I think she would like that. And maybe something very special in her stocking. What do you think?"

Santa laughed and said, "She has been a very good girl all year long. She especially loves Pez candy so I'll add that for her. I was around in Vienna, Austria when the man who first made them invented them to help people quit smoking. I think that was around 1927. They tasted like peppermint back in those days. Of course, nowadays they are several different flavors and in fun dispensers that folks like to collect. Now they are made in only one factory in Orange, Connecticut not far from where James Naismith lived.

 James lived in a country called Canada. He had loving parents who were raised in Scotland. A country that is about three hundred miles north of where Chardon lived when he was a little boy. His parents wanted an adventure so that's why they moved even before James was born. He was able to go to school and then on to college. He was very bright and worked had and got his doctorate degree. He eventually became a physical education instructor in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was thirty-one years old.

One day the school superintendent came to James and said, "I want you to come up with an indoor sport for our boys. I want something where they won't get hurt as in football, but will keep their strength and spirits up during our cold winters."

It seemed like in no time, Dr. James Naismith had developed a fun and physical indoor sport which he called basketball. It consisted of peach baskets and a soccer style ball. He published 13 rules for the new games. The peach baskets were nailed onto the lower railing of the gym balcony. Every time a point was scored, the game had to be stopped so that the janitor could bring out a ladder and retrieve the ball. The janitors soon got tired of that so they cut  out the bottoms of the fruit baskets. The first public basketball game was played in Springfield, Massachusetts on March 11, 1892.

The story goes he possessed a magic ruby and gave it to a friend in need but he hid it so well that it was not discovered for many many years in a little town called Flemington.

Baseball Players At The Diner And Bowlers At The Ice Cream Stand

 Charlotte had been catching on to being a good waitress. She decided that she would slow down and make sure that she greeted all her customers with kindness and always a smile even thought life was tough. She had children to care for and lived in a boarding house . The lady that owned the boarding house took care of her children. The nice lady that owned the diner had told her that there wasn't a boarding house in their town, but of course, Charlotte knew that there was.
One day the door of the diner opened and a nice looking young lady came in. She was hot and tired. She had been playing baseball. She ordered something to drink and told Charlotte that her team would soon be coming in the door to order drinks and hamburgers too.

She said to be ready for a lot of orders. Charlotte sighed and thought, "This is just what I don't need. I need grownups with money to leave me for tips because my salary is just barely enough to cover my rent and food. My dream someday is to own my own cafe. Soon the door opened and closed many times. The small diner had started to fill with baseball players; all hungry and thirsty.

Marlee and her little sister were watching all the baseball players go into the cafe. They were sad because they had no customers. They were all going to the cafe to eat and drink instead of eating ice cream. Marlee just couldn't understand it because she had the best ice cream there was in the area where she lived. Her ice cream cart had miraculously filled with ice cream and treats, yet there were no customers. Her eyes began to fill with tears when she saw a little boy and his family walking towards her stand. They said that they had been bowling and thought they would like to have an ice cream because they heard that she served Bassetts' ice cream.

Marlee didn't know it but the legend says that the magic ruby had been carefully placed in her stand by a man named Lewis Dubois Bassett. He was a Quaker school teacher and farmer. He used mules to run his churns that made the ice cream. He signed a lease on the land in Pennsylvania in 1861 and never moved away until  years later. That was the beginning of Bassetts Ice Cream company. It would become world wide renowned.

In 1892 Bassett ice cream moved into a regular store and started shipping their yummy ice cream to foreign countries like Japan and China. The original marble counter is still used to this day in Philadelphia. It is shipped all over our country. It now owned by the sixth generation of Bassetts.

Santa chuckled, "A fun little fact, the Chinese actually invented ice cream before the baby Jesus was born, but nobody liked it until nowadays."