Christmas tunes, holiday traditions, football fun and thoughtful gifts

By Darla Buckhannon

Merry Christmas!

Happy birthday to Margaret Phillips, Callie Perry, Tracy Whitaker, Steven Reams, Sara Atkins, Rebecca Crippen, Mike Eby, David Kirchdoefer, Cathy Imhoff, Ladonna Bollinger, Pam Schultz, Shirley Griffin, Michelle Holder, Stan Shields, Jerry Nunnally, Leslie Acey, Theresa Pepple, Wendy Hanselman, Jeanette Spies, Dylan Pobst, Tracy Kirchdoefer, Mike Sadler, Richard Britain, Butch Dumey, Thelma Stone, Sara Perry, Gary Gilmer, Suzanne Reischman, Dixie Shaffer and Samantha Lincoln.

Happy anniversary to Freddie and Pam Harrell, Dustin and Kimberle Nothdurft, Kyle and Callie Perry and John and Olivia Gramlisch.

Yuletide tunes

Today is all about the birth of Jesus as we listen to the beautiful sounds of Christmas. We each have our favorites, whether it is the standard Christmas carols or secular tunes. There are so many, but I would choose "Mary, Did You Know?" and who doesn't love the joyful "Sleigh Ride"?

Holiday memories

We hope Santa was good to all the good little girls and boys and the adults enjoyed the early start of this Christmas day. As little kids, we couldn't wait to get downstairs to the Christmas tree to see what Santa had left for us, and now, as adults, we wish they could stay in bed just a little longer! When my sisters and I were growing up, Santa brought each of us one gift, our parents gave us one gift, our Uncle Doc and Aunt Mardell Finney gave us one gift, and we cousins drew names for one gift. It is amazing how many gifts kids and adults expect today. Yet, the magic of Christmas for kids always has centered around Santa being on his way.

Some of us found those places where our parents hid our presents. I remember the time I walked in on my dad when he was assembling doll beds for Wilmajo and me. They were canopy beds with the dark cherry wood, the white sheer canopies and the white chenille bedspreads, complete with the long pillow rolls. Always the curious one, I had gone upstairs to find my dad and immediately saw his disappointment when he saw me standing at the door. I am not sure at the time I didn't believe in Santa Claus, but just seeing the look on his face had me assuring him I knew he and Mother were really Santa Claus, and I would keep our secret. I am not certain he believed me, but those doll beds were beautiful, and Wilmajo and I enjoyed them very much.

Thoughtful gifts

More importantly, one has to think about the time, thoughtfulness and expense our parents invested in selecting our gifts from Santa Claus so we little ones would have a merry Christmas. Even as adults, we treasure each gift, knowing we were thought of by that person who spent time to show us how much they care; it could be a gift, a handwritten note or even a meaningful word.

New Year's traditions

While we have been enjoying Christmas traditions, our thoughts will turn to New Year's Eve traditions. Here is one: To enjoy good luck through each of the 12 months of 2017, eat 12 grapes by midnight on New Year's Eve.

Football frenzy

There is plenty of football to watch this weekend, and the Dallas Cowboys are hot! They play the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football. There has been much talk about running back sensation Ezekiel Elliott, who celebrated his touchdown by jumping into the Salvation Army kettle. Did you know he attended John Burroughs High School in Ladue, Missouri? His parents are Mizzou alums, although he chose Ohio State. Not only is he a well-rounded athlete, he is also smart! He and quarterback Dak Prescott add lots of excitement and make Cowboy games fun to watch.

Final thoughts

We again wish you a very merry Christmas and safe travel for those of you who are traveling during these holidays. Our thoughts are with those who are missing loved ones and with our men and women who are serving in our military to keep our country safe. We wish a safe return for each and every person who is serving.

Remember to tell those special people in your life you love them -- those three words mean so very much and are so nice to hear, especially this time of year.

I have another early deadline. Please email your news to darbuck2@airmail.net or leave a message at (573) 887-6430 or (214) 207-7839 no later than 10 a.m. Dec. 26.

And then ...

Then there was the birth of Jesus, who would become our Lord and savior.