Hometown Rankin - December 2015 & January 2016

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Making Memories Mary Ann Kirby Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. - Dr. Suess 94 • December 2015/January 2016
This time five years ago, my family was gearing up to move into a new house. If you’ve never moved anywhere the week of Christmas, don’t. It’s insane. And it’s the second time we’ve done it. The first time was sixteen years ago as newlyweds into a home that my husband and I had just built. It was Christmas week and all we had was some random furniture, each other, and big dreams. Our biggest priority, at that point, was to have people over for New Year’s Eve to ring in Y2K before the cyber-world collapsed. The second time we moved was different. We were a family that included a child, two dogs, a cat, and more stuff than anyone should haul from one place to another— all, of course, in boxes. Countless boxes. We stuck a tree up in the corner and put a handful of ornaments on it including one, brand new and still wrapped in tissue that said “Our New Home”. I was starting a new tradition of collecting ornaments that told our story, and this was our first. There were no elaborate decorations or wreaths or swags. There was no gourmet meal, no Christmas cookies and no eggnog. But despite the stress of moving, and all the back-breaking work that comes with it, it was undoubtedly one of the best Christmases I can remember. It allowed us to reflect on the true meaning of the season. Actually, it forced us to, I guess. We had each other, a roof over our heads and a warm place to sleep. My husband and I didn’t even exchange gifts that year and my then-seven-year old son only had a few. I would love to tell you that we limited our gift giving as the result of some new-found stance on materialism–after all, Baby Jesus only got three gifts. But the truth is, that with the all the packing and moving and working, I hadn’t had time to shop. And as it turns out, no one seemed to mind at all–particularly my son. It made me proud. There we were– all genuinely grateful for what we had and for being together. It’s one of my fondest Christmas memories. It is incredibly easy for us to take our worlds for granted and many of our children may likely never remember a time when things weren’t constantly available–and in great abundance. But sadly, we are surrounded by people in our own zip codes that struggle with keeping a roof over their heads or feeding their own families. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of seeing, firsthand, what the efforts of a determined few can do to offer hope to the weary. I’ve volunteered for several organizations that are committed to changing people’s lives and I’ve learned more from the broken than I ever learned anywhere else. It makes me appreciate, even more, all we have, and even more so, all we can do. It’s important to help others–particularly during the holidays. Remember, “To whom much is given, much is required,” Luke 12:48. So this year, as we continue to whittle down our holiday to-do lists and prepare for our annual family gatherings, let’s remember those who are truly in need of our time and generosity. Consider sponsoring a needy family. Help to put food on the table for those that might not have the means to do so themselves. Or commit to helping the homeless. At a time when warm homes and family get-togethers are common, the homeless are left feeling particularly isolated. Deliver a meal, visit a senior, or adopt an angel. (The Salvation Army Angel Tree program is one of my favorites.) Help a co-worker or over-tip your waiter. There are lots of ways to make an impact. I know that as a child, I couldn’t wait to open gifts on Christmas morning and probably asked a hundred times when it would be time. But, looking back, I don’t remember many of the gifts I received. I do remember baking holiday cakes in my grandmother’s kitchen, though. Those memories are more valuable than any board game or Barbie doll I ever got, I can assure you. Making memories is what it’s all about. And so, time marches on. My son will turn thirteen just two days into January. And since that first Christmas in our new home, we’ve collected five more years’ worth of memories–many commemorated by special ornaments on our tree. There are no cardboard boxes in our living room and our halls are all suitably decked. But nothing will ever take away from the lesson we learned from our very first Christmas here. We know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the most important things in life are being grateful for what you have and being together with people you love. And that the best thing about memories, is making them. Merry Christmas. n Hometown Rankin • 95
Page 1:
volume 2 number 5 dec 15/jan 16 Chr
Page 5 and 6:
publisher & Editor Tahya A. Dobbs C
Page 7 and 8:
facIal rejuvenatIon Is about the ar
Page 9 and 10:
Karen Crowe My favorite Christmas m
Page 11 and 12:
Allergic Rhinitis EAR. Cancers, Tum
Page 13 and 14:
ChristmasTreats & Treasures Recentl
Page 15 and 16:
Brie &Jelly Tarts 1 8 oz. wheel of
Page 17 and 18:
Unbaked Cookies In 2 quart pot brin
Page 19 and 20:
Mississippi Sin 16 oz. sour cream 8
Page 21 and 22:
Hometown Rankin • 21
Page 23 and 24:
Bradley Alexander, Jacque Sullins,
Page 25 and 26:
©2014 Ergon, Inc. All rights reser
Page 27 and 28:
Home is a wonderful place to celebr
Page 29 and 30:
What can you tell your Washington a
Page 31 and 32:
Page 33 and 34:
Mary Neese, Kim Allen, Robyn Prall,
Page 35 and 36:
Miles McNair, Rickey Emmons Richard
Page 37 and 38:
Page 39 and 40:
-wedding- LauraAnnWhittington & Luk
Page 41 and 42:
Camille Anding For the 160 members
Page 44 and 45: Teach the Children Author Unknown J
Page 46 and 47: Why take your business or your skil
Page 48 and 49: Mr.& Mrs.TristenHarmonJackson Mr. a
Page 50 and 51: MilitaryBall November 7, 2015 Brand
Page 52 and 53: 52 • December 2015/January 2016
Page 54 and 55: Another Place at the Table Kerri Wa
Page 56 and 57: ight and have their kids returned,
Page 58 and 59: Love Recycled Camille Anding Peggy
Page 60 and 61: That infamous card has been frosted
Page 62 and 63: April Rigsby, Weatherly Rose Ariel
Page 66 and 67: HOMETOWN Sponsored by For ten weeks
Page 70 and 71: Susan Marquez Started in the 1920
Page 72 and 73: PICKUP YOUR FAVORITE Primos Cakes F
Page 74 and 75: Pearl River Wood Carvers Susan Marq
Page 76 and 77: “I enjoy carving because it’s r
Page 80 and 81: Be a Scout Susan O’Bryan Scouting
Page 84: 84 • December/January 2015/Januar
Page 87 and 88: Olivia Herring, Breanna Mcquirter,
Page 89 and 90: Hometown Rankin • 89
Page 91 and 92: Fringe Booties Miss Priss Kendra Sc
Page 93: SHOP LOCAL. EAT LOCAL. SPEND LOCAL.
Page 97 and 98: Serving our county Constable Barry
Page 99 and 100: Hometown Rankin • 99
Page 101 and 102: McLaurin Shelby Tew and Jade Westbr
Page 103 and 104: As shown by the high inspection rat
Page 105 and 106: een an intimidating presence at the
Page 107 and 108: CELEBRATING 115 YEARS OF LASTING IM
Page 109 and 110: Northshore The families of our Kind
Page 111 and 112: Pie the Principal The students at P
Page 113 and 114: New 2015 LaCrosse New 2015 Encore F
Page 115 and 116: 118 service drive suite 5 | brandon
show all

Hometown Rankin - December 2015 & January 2016

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?