What Christmas is to me

First of all, today is Jesus' birthday. If you do not believe, I am sorry for you. Not sorry that I celebrate the birth of Jesus, but sorry that you do not. I will never hold that against you, but expect that you respect my feelings and beliefs as well.

Secondly, it's about the kids! I am in no way saying that I don't wish to receive presents, but I would rather forfeit what ever I may have to provide for my son. My son is a terriffic young man. When he woke up this morning, under our two foot table top tree was a single video game and a heating blanket. He was so excited! He said, "I told you Santa would come mom! How did he know I wanted a heating blanket?" My heart felt so good. Here it was, the smallest Christmas we have ever had, and he was more than happy with what he had received. At 15, most children no longer believe in Santa. Not my Steven. I think he will believe in Santa forever.... and why not? I think it's beautiful.

Now here's the kicker. I have been talking back and fourth a little, (and I mean minimully as to respect his privacy) to a celebrity that I, myself Idolized as a child. I have followed this group of people since 1985. I have attended two different functions in which they were there. One when I was 12, the other in 2009. 

A couple of days ago, my son received a DM from one of them (I feel annonymity is important in this situation) wishing him a Merry Christmas. That was awesome! Steven was so happy, he had said he needed nothing more for Christmas. What an unselfish boy. 

Today, another message..... I was pleasantly surprised! Even though Steven was happy, I had hoped to do more for him this year. A couple DM through my account, Steven does not have a twitter or facebook at this time, and then an offer. He was gonna send Steven his cell phone number so that Steven could text him back himself!!! WOW! And so it was. I sent a DM with my son's phone number (something I normally wouldn't even consider) and listened to him laugh each time his phone went off. They talked back and fourth a little, and Steven asked if there is any way they might meet in person some day! The answer, "I'll see what I can do." That is just amazing! (to me anyway) 

So what is Christmas to me? A time to believe in miracles, no matter how big or small. A time to thank God for Jesus Christ. A time to enjoy your family and friends, be they old or new! And most of all, a time to think about those around you and be thankful for the things you have while praying for those that have nothing! 

The only thing else I can say is Thank You for making a young man feel extra special on the specialist of all days! 

Just Chillin'

I have always found peace in music. I like everything from Hank Williams Sr. to Megadeath and anywhere in between. You can even find some Mozart in my collection. When I am asked who is my favorite, I can't answer that... I have several. I love Jim Croce, George Strait, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Reba, Patsy Cline, Tanya Tucker, Loretta Lynn, Motley Crue, Ozzy, Poison, Cinderella, Dolly, The beatles, The Stones, Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock... I think you get the idea. I played alto saxophone in school, but smoking killed that. As a child, I was surrounded by music. My parents drank and played cards a lot! My Uncle had more 8-tracks than the local music store. Mostly country, and Elvis. It was like being at the bar. Bunch of adults drinkin, talkin, and playin cards. Stereo jammin, pool table, bets, fights, the whole thing. Kind of crazy now that it's in type. To me, it was perfectly normal to drive home at the age of 10 ;) I miss my dad terribly. He passed June 30 2009, he was just 62 that March. We learned of the cancer May 3rd, it was so progressed, the doctor just said, "I'm sorry Bill, there's nothing we can do." He never once asked, "Why me"... he said,"Billie Jo, your days are numbered, guess my numbers' up"... My dad was an alcoholic, and abusive to my mother. He came from a rough family, and lived what he'd learned. He never hurt us kids, and would've died protecting us. He had quit drinking about 6 months before we knew about the cancer. One day he said, "I never noticed it before, but it's sad when you get to number 15 in a 30 pack, and your already worryin about where the next 30 is gonna come from". I remember when Randy Travis came out. My dad has a brother and sister that were in a closed adoption. Half the family swore that was my dad's brother. I wish.lol. I get my love of music from my parents.

Christmas Wishes

I think it's beautiful when a child receives something very special for Christmas. Not a new video game, or Stereo, something special. My son, Steven is 15 years old. Steven still believes in Santa Claus. I tried to tell him a few times over the last 3 years that Santa isn't really a person, but a symbol of kindness. The first time he became angry and called me a liar! He insisted that I take it back, because if I didn't Santa wouldn't come and it would be my fault. So there I was.... disappoint my son, or let him hold to his love for Santa? We put out the milk and cookies...lol... Steve said, "I think I hear his reindeer!" and off to bed he went. This kid, with enough mustache to shave, runs to bed so Santa won't skip him! I did this though. I didn't know how differently the world was to him when he was little.
Every well baby check up he had came back he was highly advanced in everything, for the first year and a half. Then, things changed. He hadn't started talking or crawling, although he did sing. He could sing the song "Nobody Knows" by Kevin Sharp like you wouldn't believe. He schooched everywhere he went, and pointed at whatever he wanted. The doctors accused me of "spoiling" him. They told me to refuse to give him what he wanted until he would say the words. They also told me to make him get himself around where he wanted to go, stop helping him. He was not even two years old!
I didn't listen....LOL... and to this day I am glad I didn't. He was 5 years old when they diagnosed him with Autism. Everything made sense to me then. Autism was just emerging around here back then, and I had recently met a woman that was going through it with her son. I'm way off track now, but it's necessary to understand why today was so awesome! Anyway.
I spent years trying to explain the difference between real and make believe. He once made a cardboard friend, Ted. Ted had to have a car seat, bed, blankets, DINNER! Then, my mom had a house fire, Ted was there. So we made Fred. Fred was bad though. He scared Steve. He said mean things and told him to do bad things. I had to actually "move"' Fred out of the house one day so Steven would come home! He wanted to meet Dexter, from the cartoon Dexter's Laboratory..... I had to show him a drawing and explain that that was all Dexter was, a drawing. It took years to explain.
With all the quirky stuff, there's another side. Steven is a respectful, loving, giving child. He is extremely intelligent, but has limited comprehension. Put him in front of a computer and see what he can do! Ask him the difference between one dollar and a hundred dollars, no comprehension. He also has high anxiety. Fear of heights, water, loud noises, and crowds.
I am lucky to have my son! Recently we found out he is almost blind in his right eye, currently waiting for the end of the month for his appointment with the optometrist. Crossing my fingers.
So, with all that said. Last year, I covered my inability to deliver his Santa list with the explanation that Santa Clause has so many little kids to deliver presents to, that when you turn 15, it is your mom's job to take care of Christmas. I was disabled four years ago, and Steven has felt the change from 50K/year to less than 15K/year. He told me last week, " Christmas isn't about me ma, it's about Jesus. I don't need any presents, I would like a card. It doesn't even need money in it. Could we make Santa some cookies just in case he needs to take a break?" "Of course we can bud! And who knows, maybe you'll get a cool Christmas surprise. Maybe just something small...."
I get through my text messages this morning, and there it is! A DM for my son! It was from someone he is a huge fan of, and it was very special to him. And even more special to me. Thank you, you know who you are, and even if you don't think it was that big of a deal, It was MAJOR! He was so excited! He said, "I think I'm gonna cry! This is the best Christmas ever!!!"

No longer new to this

So Here I am... Three months later, and still online. I have to admit, twitter is a pretty cool place. I have had some disappointments. Uninformed opinions and such, but that will happen with face to face interaction. I have met quite a few people over the past couple of months, and am relieved to chat without all of the bs that goes along with games and adds and stuff. Also, I come to the internet to get away from the common drama in the small town I call home. Facebook is nothing more than my hometown on the internet! LOL. I still like to go play the games and stuff, I just prefer to spend my time getting to know new people! I also like the amount of fund raising that goes on at twitter. I have yet to see a post to help a community service type of thing at facebook. I see requests for individuals, but never for organizations. Organizations are vital to those who do not qualify for help with stuff here or there. These are the tweeners.... between ok and sunk, but not bad off enough to get any assistance from a state agency. These are the people that need the most help! I met @JimmyWayne, @FrontRowNews, and @UpcomingSMR just to name a couple. These guys care about the world! Not just their own, but everyone that needs help!! @CntryMusicCares as well. I know I am forgetting a lot of people, but these are the one's that stand out the most at 3 am..... There are also several celebrities that contribute their time (not that they have much free time) to helping the less fortunate. A lot more than what people would think!! @Reba, @followtheblonde, @leannrimes, @MrVinceNeil, @Oprah,... again, that's just to name a few. There are so many more over there! Twitter is becoming a good place to hang out and talk to people. Sure, you run into your occasional JkA$$, but that's gonna happen no matter what. So I say, give it a shot. You may be pleasantly surprised too!!! Love and Hugs to All.....