Meetings, Parties, Decorating And Peace

Grandma B's friends were so very busy. They were holding meetings and even a group of ladies were holding an old fashioned tea party. The main topic of discussion was Santa and his decision to retire. They had been a strong force of nature for many years in their community. They would not let this happen. If necessary they would even send him an invitation to one of their parties and serve milk and cookies. Perish the thought. Their Christmas teapot cake was so very beautiful, but they would change the menu if he just would change his mind.

Maddie had helped her parents decorate their tree with lights, so their light helped the goats find the boots. She was so happy. Now if Santa would just change his mind. She just loved Christmas time. It made her want to hug herself with happiness.

Arieanna and Julian had worked really hard to help decorate such a big tree with lots of lights. They had sent letters. They figured they had done all they could do. They looked up to the sky looking to see if they could see a trace of Santa and his sleigh. They knew it was too early, but they just wanted to see for themselves before they went to bed that night. They were now leaving it all up to Santa.

Charlie's Nanny was hurrying through the snow to get to one of Grandma B's meetings. "Wow, it is really snowing out here. I'm sure glad Charlie is nice and warm. Hopefully we can come up with an idea to convince Santa that we need him and the idea of him to make us laugh and have fun at Christmas time. He also needs to talk to some of those workshop elves about their high prices."

 When Emma finished decorating the tree and putting on the lights. She went outside to wait. It wasn't cold, it wasn't snowing; all was quiet. There was peace on earth...

There Were Many Santa Helpers Willing To Help

After checking their lists Grandma B and her friends made more lists. She even had some of the children help make lists. They loved to help decorate trees so that their grandparents and parents had more time to do whatever they were doing. Those grownups were so secretive. There were even some moms on vacation that had seen a Santa helper. They whispered in his ear that Santa needed more help. The ladies told him that the real Santa was sad because he had made a mistake; could he please help them? He said that he sure would. He then started making his own list of friends to help Santa.

Kylee and Kenlee were busy helping decorate their nana's tree so that she could go to Marleewood to a meeting, whatever that was all about. The children had no idea that Santa said he was going to retire.

Brandon was busy decorating their tree too. This just had to work! He even had a picture of Santa right by his tree. He was helping just like all of his friends at Marleewood.

Even little Chata went to a pet store and told one of Santa's helpers that Santa needed some help because he was sad. The pet store Santa said that he would be glad to help. He was a good friend of Santa's and thanked Chata for the heads up. Chata then went home and changed into her Christmas lights to help light the way for the team of goats.

When Chata got home they made a list of Shorkie friends and human friends that they were going to call to see if they could help Santa. That's what real good friends do. They help each other when they need help.

In the meantime, Arieanna had an idea. She was going to send Santa a letter too. Not for what she wanted for Christmas, but to ask him please not to retire. She knew the real meaning of Christmas as her parents had taught her, but she also knew how much fun Christmas was. She loved the excitement and the magic!

Grandma B Is Making Lists And Checking Them Twice

Oh it was so cold in the blowing snow, but the head driver of the R.T.O.G. landed his sleigh carefully and jumped out to grab those black boots before they got buried in the deep snow. "Hurry," he yelled to his partner. We have to get to the North Pole before Santa retires. He feels so badly that he just might not go out tonight to deliver gifts for all the good little boys and girls."
 They called to the goats and away they went. They flew through the snow blizzard safely and landed right at one of the workshop doors.  When they opened the door to take the boots inside for the elves to load they saw something they had never seen before. There sat Santa in his chair. The snow was whirling around him. What a sad face he had. He had finally decided to retire. No more sleigh rides for him.

This just would not do. They had something to show Santa. A picture of Whitlee Jo. A sad Whittle Jo because she had no boots. "You just have to deliver toys and gifts to all of the children tonight. You just have to. Look at that sweet little girl's face. She needs you. All of the children need you. The adults need you too. They need the idea that you represent of goodness and fun." Besides that, they love to help you pick out gifts for you to deliver."

But Santa said, "But what if I make another mistake? I can't make a mistake when it comes to Christmas."
The goats reassured him as well as the elves and Mrs. Claus. "We all make mistakes, now you get out there and deliver those gifts. Here are the boots ready to put in the sleigh. They just need a little snow brushed off of the tops."

 If you don't that will be the biggest mistake you ever made. Look at this precious baby girl. Her mama and me'me have promised her that you will come.  It's her first real Christmas. Now come on my Dear. Get busy."

Down on the mini farm, Grandma B was a bit upset because she was one of Santa's helpers. She had found that some of the workshops that helped Santa were overcharging for their stuff. She was going to put a stop to that nonsense. She called all of her co-workers and friends to decide what to do.

She made a list of some of her friends and explained what was happening at some of those big workshops. They needed a plan. They decided that children didn't care about expensive gifts. They wanted gifts that they could love and use as well as play with. They just wanted to be loved and remembered.

They either needed to hurry or to ask for help. They decided that hurrying was no fun at Christmas time, so they started making a list and checking it twice....

Marlee Writes Santa A Reminder Letter

When Grandma Lu had just finished her story there was the brightest light that shone into the Sitting Room at Marleewood. It was so bright that many folks covered their eyes and were a little bit afraid. Marlee and Whittle weren't afraid though. They wanted to know what the light was. So they ran to the door to see what was going on.

The light was so bright they could hardly see what was happening. But Marlee grinned to herself. She knew it had something to do with all of her friends and family lighting their trees and their houses outside. She hoped that all this light would be helping Santa find his way to their house and all the good little boys and girls homes. She had written Santa another letter just to remind him that Whittley Jo needed a new pair of boots. "Please don't forget my baby sister, Santa. She really needs some new boots.  Remember the deal is, if you get her a present and me a present, then we will get you a present. What would you like?"

Santa got Marlee's second letter. After he read it he sighed, "Oh what am I going to do? This has never happened before. I lost that poor little girl's boots. It would take a miracle for them to be found. There just isn't enough time for the elves to make a new pair."
He patted his chubby belly and thought,  "Miracles do happen. I know this to be true. I can remember an age old story about a baby that was born in a manger ( a little place that had been filled with nice clean and warm straw) that grew up to be what millions of people call the Savior of The World. It seems to me that there was a very bright light that night. It guided visitors to this very special baby and his parents. They were in a tiny little shed or barn. There were some animals there to keep everyone warm and cozy. If I remember correctly the light was from a bright star. It stayed there until the visitors left that night. Yes, I need a miracle to save Christmas for this little girl, that's for sure."

Santa was unaware of the bright light that was guiding the R.T.O.G. through the blizzard. The light was so bright that it made the night into day. The goats saw something through the snow. A tree. It was bright with snow and lights. There it was! The head driver told his partner, "Land close to that tree I think I see the lost boots! They have fallen into the snow. Hurry before the snow covers them up."

 Marlee didn't know that Santa had lost those little black boots. It soon would be time for Santa to leave The North Pole with his sleigh pulled by eight tiny reindeer; without a shiny new pair of black boots for Whitlee Jo.

Soldiers Can't Always Come Home For Christmas

Grandma Lu got everyone gathered around her feet and started her story by telling Kyler and Marlee that once a long long time ago, even before her children were born there was a family that lived in a state called Massachusetts. They had lots of little boys and girls. Their mama and daddy loved them very much. They had lots of fun together. When they grew up to be teenagers one of the girls played piano and sang. Her name was Marie. Just a minute. I have her picture here on my phone. Look! See the quilt on her chair? It's a Christmas afghan that she made.

 Well, one of her brothers, Bob, played the banjo and another one, George, played the violin. They had a friend whose name was Arthur. He played the guitar. They had so much fun. They even won second place in a music contest. Well, some of those boys grew up to be soldiers. Some of them were in the Navy and some were in the Army. It was a long long time ago. In fact it was about the same time that I was just a tiny baby.

In another state called South Dakota there was another big family that I know that also had lots of boys. That family was the Grafing family. Some of them went into different parts of what they call the Armed Service. These soldiers protect our country. They even have to be gone at Christmas time sometimes. Some of the Aubin family and the Grafing family were gone at the same time. They didn't know each other because they probably were in different parts of the world, but you know what? They were all beginning to think that Santa Claus wasn't very important and that Christmas was just something that children liked. They were tired and lonely. They were hungry and sometimes cold and hurt. They missed their family something terrible. They didn't miss the gifts and the Christmas tree. They missed the laughter at their big tables and the teasing and wonderful food. Oh they missed the stories that everyone told on each other at Christmas time.

Marlee said, "My great grandpa was in the Army. I have seen his picture. He wore something called a uniform."

Grandma B and some children that were sitting in the back were being very quiet. Grandma B loved her daddy and missed him very much. The two children that looked sad had a daddy that had just left them to go where he was needed.  But you know what? They still had faith that Santa would be coming. He wouldn't retire. You know why? Because Santa knows that we need at least once a year a day or two to smile and be surprised. To sing and to remember our loved ones that couldn't come home for Christmas.

School programs with music and singing help both you children and your dad because he knows you will smile and be happy. Decorating your beautiful Christmas tree will make your daddy smile knowing that you are having fun. That will be his Christmas present this year; your happiness, Cameron and Arianna.

There was a teenager and a little girl that said, "I know one of those people. He was my Grandpa Wally. I'm just sad I didn't get to meet him, but the stories I've heard he was sure a character."  Grandma Lu laughed and said, "He sure was, Brayce.  Now he was a story teller, that's for sure."

The Aubin and the Grafing families have had soldiers down through the generations flying the flag of freedom. Did you know that my husband has had three children that were soldiers? They are part of the Aubin Family. The Grafings had eight brothers in the Service. I think that Brayce will also someday become a soldier if that continues to be his wish. He has a second cousin that is now part of the Armed Services as well

Addison's mama was in the Army and missed Christmas while she was gone. She also is part of the Aubin Family.

But even though Santa might feel badly because he made a mistake I'm just sure that he won't retire. Because we need him. We really really need Santa. We need his goodness. We need his jolly sense of humor. We need to be able to tell him secrets. We need the very thought of him at least once a year."

As Grandma Lu finished her story there was bright light that shone through the windows of the Sitting Room. It was so bright everyone covered their eyes. What in the world......

                                                      *******
If any of you want your family members added to this story I will be glad to add their picture.

Grandma Lu Knows Just What To Do

Frost continued his story by telling his goat friends that the children and pets that had heard the rumor that Santa was retiring were getting worried. Time for Santa to deliver gifts was getting close. Marlee of course, had not heard about Santa retiring so she was living the fun life. She had been to both grandmas baking. She had been eating a lot of sweets though, so she was sure to brush her teeth a lot.

She was in a hurry because Grandma Lu was going to be at Marleewood today to tell a Christmas story. Grandma Lu had been really busy lately so she hadn't been there for awhile. Grandma Lu arrived at Marleewood before Marlee did.

 When she walked into the Sitting Room where she always told stories she saw something she couldn't believe. There was her rocking chair covered with a beautiful Christmas quilt. Oh it was such a surprise that for a minute she couldn't even speak. Of course, Grandma Lu is seldom at a loss for words so she quickly started asking where the beautiful quilt came from. No one seemed to know. She smiled to herself. Christmas time was a time for happiness and surprises and of course, sweets.

After asking everyone that was there, she walked out to the back kitchen and was so very pleased that there were cookies, homemade candy and more cake pops. Some were brought in as a Christmas surprise.

There was another surprise. Arieanna and her family had brought snacks and left a note with a smiley face rock they had painted. Oh what a fun idea.

 Soon Grandma B and Marlee came in and she could hear the coffee pot perking. Oh it smelled so good at Marleewood. She just loved it here; it was her special place. But soon she heard some voices in the Sitting Room that just didn't sound very happy. The grandmas went in to discover that Kyler and his sister, Marlee, were disagreeing with each other. That happens sometimes. We each have different ways of thinking don't we? Well, Grandma Lu called them over to her rocking chair and asked what the problem was.

She discovered that Marlee was afraid that Kyler was going to tell her secret. She was worried that if everyone knew that Santa said that he was going to retire no one would be happy at Christmas. Well, Grandma Lu knew just what to do.
She was going to tell a story.

The Dogs And Cats Help Their Humans

Things were hopping at Marleewood! Both kitchens were busy. Children were baking and cooking getting ready for the Christmas party. They were expecting a lot of people because Santa was going to come. The photographer was going to come again this year so everyone could have their pictures taken with him. They just couldn't wait.

 Both Marlees were baking. One Marlee was making Rice Krispie unicorns and one was making Christmas cutout cookies and cake pops.

Arieanna and her daddy were making a beautiful cake. Arieanna was making sure she looked at the instructions on the box. Such fun everyone was having. They knew that Christmas soon would be here. Not only Santa would bring gifts, but there would be school programs and church programs. There would be singing of Christmas songs and Christmas movies to watch.

It seemed like such a wonderful time of year for most folks and even animals. But not everyone was happy; Silas. He knew the secret. Santa was going to retire. He just couldn't believe it. "I have no idea what is going to happen if Santa retires. I heard that he is going to quit just because he made one mistake. I even make mistakes. I wonder what got into that old man, anyway? Well, I'm just sick about it. I can't even muster up enough Christmas joy to put more than one Christmas ball on an old branch I found. What fun is Christmas going to be if he does retire? Will Grandma B even cook? What a terrible thought. I love to go there and play with the horses and her other dogs. Oh, I am so sad."

Not far down the road there lived a cat called Tiger. They had just moved to a big house out in the country. He had heard the same rumor about Santa retiring, but he was going to do something about it. "I hate having to do this, but if it helps to volunteer to be an elf, then I will do it. Silly hat! Why do humans do this stuff?My friend Nova is hurrying up her  girls too. Let's get these trees lit up, Avery and Finnley, Hurry!"
"Wow, I think we got it done! I sure hope it helps light the way for the R.T.O.G. I'm pretty little, but my mom and dad helped me. Santa just can't retire," said little Roland. "I think I had better call my cousin, Marlee. She should know about this. I don't think she has a clue. I heard mama say she was at Lollie's house making cake pops."

But actually Marlee had gone back to Grandma B's house to get some more stuff to bake with and one of her cats was determined to go along. "No cats allowed at Marleewood, Sorry, but Grandma Lu sneezes something fierce if there is a cat around. I wonder if Santa got my letter. My baby sister sure needs a new pair of boots. I'm sure he will bring her a pair."