Archives at Zinester: Starfish: (Contest) Emily's Christmas Gift, Norma Liles. Starfish:. Writing

Emily's Christmas Gift

by
Norma Liles

Little Emily was a small sinister who lived alone in a small village. She thoroughly enjoyed attending church each Sunday; trudging through all kinds of weather to attend. Emily had worked diligently to crochet warm toboggans, scarves and mittens for Christmas baskets for the needy.

The following Sunday; two days prior to Christmas, Emily awoke with a chill which restrained her from attending church. She was very distressed as she had looked forward to the Christmas message and
the choir's annual Christmas cantata plus making her donation of her work to the Christmas baskets.

Later that day, Emily was feeling somewhat better so she was sitting in her favorite rocker reading her Bible and her daily devotional. A firm knock came to her door. When she opened the door, to her amazement, there stood the Pastor with a recording of that morning's
service and a cassette recorder for her. Emily looked beyond him to see the church bus sitting there all decked out in Christmas decorations and the bus loaded with a lot of the parishioners, the youth group and the choir wearing their holiday robes.

If this were not enough, the youth of the church came in with a tree and the trimmings and proceeded to decorate it for her plus the ladies of the church followed them in with all kinds of baked goods as their
treat.

As you could imagine, Emily was very elated with this type greeting. All this merriment along with the carols of the choir gave her a spurt of
energy.

She went right away and proceeded to brew coffee, tea and hot chocolate to serve along with the baked goods. Everyone were in a joyful mood and when they departed, they left Emily with a warm Christmas glow plus the gift of warmth that Emily had prepared for
the Christmas baskets.

RE: Christmas, Contest Entries

(Here are a few of the responses from readers regarding Christmas Contest entries)

I think you should publish all the wonderful Christmas stories you have, even it it takes into January. Thanks for publishing these stories. I enjoy them all.
Alice

Please carry over the Christmas stories through January....................I love the Christmas stories, and it seems like the holidays are so hectic and over too fast anyway. Why not stretch it out!

Thanks for all the good you do by sending out the great stories!!

Karen

Bob,
Just my humble opinion here...I'd like to see and read ALL of the stories submitted. You just never know what story is going to touch a certain heart so why leave anyone's out? I personally don't mind it going into January at all. Your writers are so very much worth the wait, don't you think? I do!
Happy Holidays,
Sunny & Layne McClure

RE: Diana's Christmas, by Pamela Blaine

This one gets my vote.
Julia

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As usual, Pam has written a story for Christmas that tugs at the heartstrings. Her story triggered for me more memories about families and incidents from my childhood in Arcola, IL....and my head and books are already full! You know, there's a kind of kinship among some of the writers who were born or grew up in southeastern Missouri: Mary Ellen Grisham, Nell Berry, Pam Jenkins and I either came from the same area or lived there at one time....Mary Ellen and I even share some relatives, and we've never met. Likewise, Pam and I have never met; but she knows some of my Doniphan MO cousins. (By the way, I have her CD; and it is wonderful!) Without Ripplemakers and other online publications, I would never have met these wonderful Missouri women/writers. Thanks, Bob!

Barbara Elliott Carpenter

RE: An Ornament for Christmas, Kathy Anne Harris

What a story!! A Winner!!
Nancee

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I'm at a loss for words! A truly beautiful story, although it did tug at my heart. Great job...
Kathy Baker

Re: Clip-Clop the Wonder Horse, Kathy Whirity

MERRY CHRISTMAS, BOB,

LOVE KATHY'S STYLE.......SHE IS GOOD! WILL BE CHECKING OUT HER WEBSITE!

LOVE/PRAYERS FOR A PEACEFUL 2005 = PRAYERS FOR OUR TROOPS,

HAVE A 20YR OLD NEPHEW LEAVING FOR IRAQ ON JAN 4TH.....PLEASE KEEP HIM IN YOUR PRAYERS; CRAIG BRACKEN.