CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER December 2016

CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER
Welcome to our December newsletter, our special Christmas edition.
Honestly, I used different templates, but some gave me a headache so
I hope this simple one can work for now. Well why not? As of this
writing Christmas is three days away. This Sunday in fact. How nice
for Christmas to fall on a Sunday. Sundays are already cozy enough
as it is, so Christmas will be twice as cozy this year. When I worked
years ago, I used to find Sundays to be the coziest days of the week
especially at this time of year. There was Sunday mass if one could get
there (or whatever service one attended if any) Then there’s Sunday
night football, though for me I fondly remember seeing the Sunday
paper, and remember watching baseball games of my New York Mets
many Sundays ago. I also associate Sundays with Bruce Lee movies
especially Return of the Dragon probably my favorite Bruce Lee
movie. I used to watch that movie every day at one point no
exaggeration. I loved it. And I sure watched it on many Sunday
nights. I remember many Sundays too when my father played his
Spanish Christmas music while his large tree graced our living room

with the classic bird making its chirping sounds for hours. Mom
cooking, and the red curtains she put up. These are some special
memories of Sundays I carry in my heart. Sundays of growing up
anyway. But all in all Sundays have always been the kind of days
when you just lay up, and sleep in if you could.
I love Christmas. And I love Sundays. For this Christmas I will likely
be staying home. It will likely be just us though maybe with a family
or so. Maybe a few of Jason’s friends later on. Not sure on that, but
today I went shopping for some of the necessities. More yellow rice.
Eggnog ice cream. Eggnog. More sodas. Ritz crackers. I already made
my own playlist of my favorite Christmas music much of that being
the old classics of course. Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como,
Patti Page, Doris Day, Brenda Lee, Amy Grant, and so many others. I
also made a different playlist this one in Spanish with many of my
father’s favorite Christmas songs. The many songs I grew up with.
We didn’t have our turkey for Thanksgiving so we plan to
have it for Christmas this year. With that I plan to make
our yellow rice, potato salad, and a cake. I considered
pumpkin pie so maybe we’ll still have it. Christmas dinner is
wonderful, and scrumptious. But good as the food can be,
remember that holiday dinners are about getting together
with the people you love, and making the best memories with
them. It doesn’t matter if you are visiting your parents,
parent, or if you’re at home with just a spouse, or with a
spouse and children. It doesn’t matter if you’re at church or
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at a shelter, an orphanage, anywhere you are, you are
spreading love, and holiday cheer. You are creating
memories for your loved ones. Do you have pets? Make it
special for them too for pets are living things, and they
spend the year giving you love, and receiving your love.
Make memories. Cherish each other. Cherish memories.
I want to thank you all for your support of the newsletter.
I put one out for the entire year of 2016 with the
exception of September and October, but I still put one for
both months. However, I am still proud to say that I
managed to release one every month, and this was despite
the hardships of the year. With my father’s illness, and
then the sudden death of my therapist, it helped to have
this to focus on, and knowing I had all of you supporting us.
Thank you all so much for that. I hope you all had a
wonderful Thanksgiving, and may your Christmas time be
bright
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Building a Snowman by Paula Smith Stephenson
A visit to Santa Claus by Angie K. Marlette
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Enjoying the Christmas Season by Melissa Joy Leonard.
I will like to thank the ladies mentioned for allowing me to
post these pictures in our newsletter. It’s always wonderful
to capture these precious moments to look back on, and I’m
always grateful to all of you for sharing them with me.
T’was the Night before Christmas describes perfectly the
way I picture Christmas Eve. A quiet type of day before
the actual Christmas day celebration.
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Here’s a picture of three bottles of Coquito as made by my
cousin Sam Melendez. Coquito is the Spanish version of
Puerto Rican Eggnog. Others would call it Spanish Eggnog.
My cousin posted this picture on his FB on Christmas which
as of this writing was yesterday. My mother and father
used to make some very good coquito or I should say
delicious coquito. (Rum of course being one ingredient) I can
recall many memories of family time of making coquito and
pasteles.
Also from my cousin is this picture of the 2016 tree of
Rockefeller center. I have yet to go see the tree this year.
In fact I haven’t been able to see the tree at Rockefeller
center for a few years now maybe two or three, maybe
more, but I really hope I still can before they take it down
this year. Seeing the tree at Rockefeller center was
something I used to look forward to every year. It was part
of the to do things of my Christmas list. It sure proves how
much things have changed in my life in a matter of a few
short years. With my father’s illness, and passing to my
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son’s condition to the work of my books, and other things.
But the holiday is not fully over yet, and I am determined
to still go see the tree. If I do get to go I’ll share that
picture on the first newsletter of 2017. So stay tuned.
However here is my cousin’s picture when he saw the tree.
Okay so my own picture won’t look so different lol but it’ll
prove to me that yes I went this year. And it’ll feel good. I
just need to make sure I get out there. I love watching the
tree, and it’s been a good few years since I’ve seen the last
one.
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CHRISTMAS THROWBACK
=This picture was actually from New Year 1995 if memory
serves me correctly. I’m very sure it’s around that time.
time. For this special Christmas edition I’ll have a few
Throwback pics. My father, brother, Javier, longtime family
friend, Erick Martinez, and my youngest brother Cruz are
all in this picture. I still lived in my parent’s home during
this time.
We had a good time that New Year’s Eve. It was a time
most of us still lived at home including my former sister in
law who I was pretty close to at the time. Christmas, New
Year gosh I laugh looking at this wishing I knew for sure
what night this was. But I’m almost sure it was New Year’s
Eve. But whichever it actually just know it will always be a
beautiful memory as so many of my best memories have
revolved around the holiday season.
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This throwback is actually an ornament that was sent to me
by a friend who still receives the newsletter Sharon Suhr.
She sent me this ornament from Oregon which I still hang
on my tree now. I love Christmas ornaments, and this was
the first time I hung it on my tree. The glass ornament
next to it was the one I described on my ornament
exchange group regarding the one I received years ago when
I participated in an ornament exchange back then a long
time ago. Unfortunately, I no longer have that ornament as
it broke. I still get sad thinking about it since I loved that
ornament. At least I still have a picture of that ornament.
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Many won’t remember who this man was. He was the
wrestler known as Bruiser Brody, but his real name was
Frank Goodish. He was killed in a dressing room in Bayamon,
Puerto Rico in 1988. In this picture he is sitting with his
son during a undated Christmas where he is handing his song
a Christmas gift. This is a Christmas throwback moment
worth sharing for it’s a sweet picture and Frank’s widow
Barbara is a friend of mind on FB, and she’s been supportive
of my writing and she’s even sent me and my brother Javier
birthday wishes every year as well. She’s a sweet woman
who shouldn’t’ have lost her husband in such a violent
manner. However this picture is just a Christmas moment.
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This was Jason not long after we moved here. During
Christmas 2012. Jason made our Christmas cake. Jason has
become a good cook, and really loves cooking. He made a
really good cake that Christmas.
Walter cooked our Christmas dinner, and I remember
speaking to my mother on the phone. I spent less holidays in
Brooklyn, as it became harder to travel out of Staten
Island since we still don’t have a car.
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Jason meeting Santa Claus in Macy’s for the first time when
he was seven. I took him on Christmas Eve, and I remember
him telling Santa he wanted a GameCube which he did get
that Christmas.
That Christmas was the next day of course. Santa asked
him what he wanted for Christmas, and when Jason
answered him he told him so then Santa smiled at me, and I
nodded knowing full well that the GameCube was already
bought, and would be ready that Christmas morning. T
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I want to share something my brother Javier shared on FB
regarding my father. I thought it was beautiful.
“For many 2016 will be remembered as the year many
celebrities died. For me it's much different. 2016 for me
will be remembered as the year I lost one of the most
important people in my life. He wasn't a celebrity he wasn't
an athlete he wasn't a TV star. But for me he was my hero
and the one who made me what I am today. He saved my
life when I broke my head as a child. He made sure I went
to School and got my diploma. He made sure I didn't just
sit on my rear end and made sure I worked for what I
wanted to achieve in life. Him along with my mother took
care of me when I had second degree burns in my back neck
and body in 2001. He was the one who made sure I got
home safely when I had my lasik surgery. When at times I
was down on my luck he took care of me and made sure I
never went hungry. Because of him I never became an
abuser of drugs and alcohol despite the neighborhood we
lived in as kids. Thank you for everything u did for me Dad.
I will do everything I can to make you proud and continue
the legacy you left me and the rest of us in the family.
Merry Christmas and happy new year in heaven. I love u and
will remember u always and forever.”
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This was the picture he chose to go with his words. I loved
it and hope you understand why I had to share them here.
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I had this ornament made for my Christmas tree this year.
It’s a ceramic of my me and my father, and I will forever
cherish it. It may very well be the last picture I took with
him (at least alone) which we took on his 80 th birthday. (I
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know we have said he passed away at 79 but my Mom
explained that his birth certificate was filed a year late so
his birthday was dated a year later – well this was explained
to me so I have been listing his last birthday as turning 80)
I know my father will always be with me in spirit, but I
want to put this on my tree every year. Since Christmas is
about memories, I plan to have more of these made, or
purchase small frames so I can hang more Christmas
pictures during the holiday season.
Well as of today the year 2016 is almost over. I wanted to
share more pictures, but my cell phone is out of order as of
this writing. I wanted to share some of the gifts that
Kristofer got in his class. They were beautiful gifts he got
from his teachers. A beautiful frame with a painting he did,
a picture, a card, and of course his share of candy. I’ll try
to share these pics in a future edition maybe the January
New Year edition.
As for my mention of the Ornament exchange. I am
seriously considering not having one next year. Or it may be
changed where I will no longer be the one giving out the
names to send the cards/ornaments too. As many of you
know since you have participated, I began the Christmas
card/ornament exchange last year, and it began very well
with a good deal of participation. However, I did hear from
a few people who never received ornaments even though
they did send their ornaments to the names they received.
Not all were upset that they didn’t receive an ornament for
after all the season wasn’t about simply getting something,
however for some they were hurt not to receive even a
thank you from recipients along with getting no ornaments in
return from others.
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For me this is very disheartening. For one I asked from the
beginning that if you were not able to fulfill your obligation
of sending out an ornament then please do not participate.
Now I understand that things come up, but why not send me
a quick message to pull out of the exchange if necessary?
No one who took their time and effort to send someone and
ornament should be left emptyhanded. Many of you were
happy with your exchanges, and it’s wonderful. Perhaps we
can handle this a different way next year, and I’ll get into
it more later on. I don’t want to leave anything negative on
this newsletter, but I do want to let you know that if you
haven’t send your ornament, but still want too you can.
After all like they say better late than never. Any ornament
not used this year, can still be used next Christmas. For
those who did participate thank you very much.
I am also proud to announce the release of my new book
J and K Christmas 2016. It was released a few weeks
before Christmas. The paperback is available on Amazon if
you want a copy, but you can read the book on Tablo. Here
is the link if you are interested in reading it. I will
appreciate any feedback you can leave. Believe me it all
helps, and I appreciate it so much.
https://tablo.io/am-torres/j-and-k-christmas-2016
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Here’s a Christmas Carol one of my all-time favorites. This
one is the Bing Crosby version Christmas is A Coming. The
original is a nursery rhyme and much shorter. This song is
so much fun to sing, and Bing Crosby one of the best
Christmas singers of all time, certainly puts a lot of zing
into it. Now sing along to it and merry along.
When I'm feelin' blue and when I'm feelin' low,
Then I start to think about the happiest man I know.
He doesn't mind the snow and he doesn't mind the rain,
But all December you will hear him at your window pane,
A-singin' again and again and again and again and again and
again!
Christmas is a-comin' and the bells begin to ring,
The holly's in the window and the birds begin to sing.
Now I don't take time to worry, and don't take time to
fret,
And the more you give at Christmas time the more you'll
get!
God bless you, gentlemen, God bless you,
And the more you give at Christmas time the more you'll
get!
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Christmas is a-comin' and the egg is in the nog,
Please to give a friendly man a friendly little dog.
If you haven't got a friendly dog, a friendly cat'll do,
If you haven't got a friendly cat, may God bless you!
God bless you, gentlemen, God bless you,
If you haven't got a friendly cat, may God bless you!
Christmas is a-comin' and the lights are on the tree,
How about a turkey leg for poor old me?
If you haven't got a turkey leg, a turkey wing'll do,
If you haven't got a turkey wing, may God bless you!
God bless you, gentlemen, God bless you,
If you haven't got a turkey wing, may God bless you.
Christmas is a-comin' and the cider's in the keg,
If I had a mug o' cider then I wouldn't have to beg.
If you haven't got a mug o' cider, half a mug'll do,
If you haven't got a half a mug, may God bless you!
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God bless you, gentlemen, God bless you,
If you haven't got a half a mug, may God bless you!
God bless you, gentlemen, God bless you,
If you haven't got a half a mug, may God bless you!
If you haven't got a thing for me, may God bless you!
I would like to quote something my friend Paula Smith
Stephenson posted in the days before Christmas for I
thought it was special.
I'm in tears! We just had Christmas carolers come to the
door!!!! It was beautiful! MERRY CHRISTMAS! ❤

where we sang Christmas songs to an old folk home back in 1988.
Wow, a long time ago. It’s a special memory of mine now though,
and I love sharing it. I remember discussing it with my speech
teacher at the time Mr. Weinstein, and he told me how beautiful it
was that we were bringing joy to old people even if just for that
moment.
Looking back now at my age of 46 it does feel strange to have such
memories to share. To be this age. When I was 20 or 18 I thought 46
was a pretty old age lol. Heck 36 felt old. Imagine that.
It sure wouldn’t be Christmas without Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang.
If you can remember growing up watching A Charlie Brown
Christmas every year you were lucky. Then again it seems to be a
generation thing now doesn’t it? It was a great thing back then
during my childhood. We watched it during the pre-cable days on
black and white television. Yes in my project apartment my father
fixed many TV’s for us, and they were black and white ones. That’s
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another thing that feels strange to me, but it’s true. We watched A
Charlie Brown Christmas in black and white many times. We watched
many of our favorite shows in black and white.
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Can anyone relate to this?
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God rest ye merry Gentlemen
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Savior
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy.
In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
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"Fear not then," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Savior
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Savior lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
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Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy.
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My parents tree this year. I still call it my parents tree.
My father would be so proud of it. I hope you all had a
wonderful Christmas season.
2016 saw the loss of many of our beloved stars like Prince,
Carrie Fisher, Natalie Cole, Chyna, Debbie Reynolds, David
Bowie, Florence Henderson, Alan Thicke, Muhammad Ali, and
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George Michael who is pictured above. I know there are
other names I probably left out though they are no less
important. There was the Damn you 2016 hashtags, among
other things said against a year that just felt like
everything bad happened.
First of while 2016 did see a good number of celebrity
deaths, especially many names from my childhood (or I
should say our childhood) we know that people die every day
of the year. For me personally 2016 was a nightmare after
losing my father, and I had lost my therapist unexpectedly
(a great man who didn’t’ deserve to go so suddenly) but I
know too that I alone have not experienced such a loss. I
know that many of you have lost parents, siblings, cousins,
aunts, uncles, grandparents, (all my grandparents are
deceased) close friends, I mean we have all experienced
these losses. We know how much they hurt so please don’t
think that I am trying to demean the pain you feel at the
loss of a celebrity. I felt it. At the loss of favorites like
Prince. George Michael. As a wrestling fan, I have lost more
than half of the wrestlers I grew up watching, but was
really affected by the losses of the Ultimate Warrior and
Roddy Piper. It may sound silly to some, but when you grow
up being entertained by these people they become important
to you too. So, I do understand.
However, I can only advice to remember that the same way
we cherish the memories of lost loved ones, we can only try
to hang on to the memories of our lost entertainers as well.
In high school I had much fun with my girlfriends talking
about George Michael and Wham. Of Prince, and Michael
Jackson. This was before Facebook and cell phones. The
most we could do then was bring a cassette tape to school,
or an article from a magazine to share with each other. Its
surreal looking back at the only way to share information
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ecause there was just no internet. At least no internet
with the public that’s for sure. Since this is our December
newsletter I will share the lyrics of his Christmas song
(during his Wham days) of his song “Last Christmas”
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special (special)
Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance but you still catch my eye
Tell me baby do you recognize me?
Well it's been a year, it doesn't surprise me
I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying "I Love You" I meant it
Now I know what a fool I've been
But if you kissed me now I know you'd fool me again
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to) special
Last Christmas I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special (special)
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A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man undercover but you tore him apart
Maybe next year,
I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone special
Special, someone, someone
I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone special
Who'll give me something in return
I'll give it to someone, hold my heart and watch it burn
I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone special
I thought you were here to stay
How can love be for a day?
I thought you were someone special, gave you my heart
I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone
Last Christmas I gave you my heart
You gave it away
I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone.
******************************************************
May all our dearly departed in the year 2016 those famous,
and those not famous, along with our departed loved ones,
all rest in peace.
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That is, it for our Christmas edition. I apologize if it’s not
what it should have been. It’s been such a rough year.
However, Christmas kept me closer to my father, as we
loved the holiday, and his presence was here perhaps even
stronger because of that love. I hope you all had a
wonderful Christmas. And I wish you all peace, and good
health. Email me at sonicmets1970@aol.com for comments
or questions. Thank you.
God bless. ****** Ana
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