Bill/sables that sounds like a really lovely and impressive book; I didn't know there were any songs you didn't know.:-)

One of my sisters works with Native American teens, many of whom live well below the so-called poverty line. One little boy, 13 years old, has stolen her heart. When she found out his family circumstances, she and my other sister, who is a minister, went to their church and spoke about it. Much in the way of Sarah's story, my sisters said the thing they loved this Christmas was delivering toys, clothing, and groceries to this boy's home, courtesy of the church. The children were thrilled.

The really neat thing was, while they were there, a huge moving van pulled up. There is a donor in Lincoln, Nebraska, who gives away 100 brand new bicycles every Christmas to needy children. My sisters and the children watched in delight as 4 new bikes, of appropriate sizes, were unloaded and given to my sister's student and his siblings. Absolutely made their day.

We had a few of the usual type gifts, bathrobes, etc.. Rue gave me a Tibetan Singing Bowl. The thing that I really will cherish, is my sister, the minister, wrote in page after page of a small spiral bound notebook, the many reasons why she loves me and what she remembers of me throughout our lives. I couldn't read it right away as it started to make me cry.

And, of course, there is my SO and my daughter whom we live with and my other children and grandchildren. It's been a pretty great day all in all.

kat