The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 7

Wednesday. Decamber 22. 19SJ THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRES- Comment' AT LETTERS FROM READERS 1JUUOJL VJIVOLIJLLl VJO 1 1 Home at List Joy of family with an upbeat Philadelphia Jewish sco-ferbrw and two gorgeous fcie Jewish grandsons. Enter the grandmothers mom the AdarA Israel Jodaica Step in Amherfy They gri the entire middle part cf their day to gently fead me through: the enrxades of ireideis and hints about wonderful traditions to begin wih the chliiren. Not only were the grandchildren delighted with my g-s to thera, hut my son-in-law I spent months researching tnditions.

Perhaps we could tarn the world's ejmpfexties and problems ever to coalition cf grandmothers from around the globe, talking about their grandchlLirea. The really important things irnniediatciy become dear. Thank you again, ladles. HI never forget BEVERLY FTEZGERALD Madeira Beloved America Two years ago, I came fem Ukraine, the former republic ot' the former U.S.S-R. through the Cmci-naa" Karftrr Sister Gty project to teach LTcariaa history and culture and language to the students of some schools ta CccinnatL My time in America has had a big influence on my life and experience.

I understood that people throughout the world are the same. In spite of their cultural and religious cliferences, they can still get close in their thoughts and feelings. In your country, everyone enjoys the right to refigious and cultural freedom. Ii is dearly manifested in the celebration of the current Festival of Lights. Hanukkah.

and the celebration of Christmas. Luckily, there is an increase of religious interest in recent years among the middle and younger generations. It is so nice to see the old traditions preserved and coming back after the suppression of Ukraniaa feelings in the years of Bolshevism. For centuries, the church has been a special guardian of culture in my country We united Enquirer readers to share their holiday good news or messages. Here are some of the responses.

V. -j wa I am thoniid this season, that c.y sister Johanna McGuffey has returned home after fearing Cincinnati, at age Ii, fcf a career in the US Army. She served two tours in Europe, traveled a2 over the world, and Eved in more places than I can remember. We missed her at many a Christmas gatheriig. Twenty years liter, after earning a meritorious service medal, among ethers, she' is finally home.

Here's to no more 5ocg-distince phone calls. Merry Christmas. Johanna. CHARMTE McGUFFEY Hyde Park Debt paid Christ came to pay a debt he didn't owe, because we wed a debt we couldn't pay. GEORGE O.

CHARRIER FumevtLTwn Words to Ihe bv Christmas the season to demonstrate and exemplify three effectual words: Love: "Love they neighbor as Respect: Respect everyone with reverence and dignity. Include: Include everyone in your prayers for peace, joy and happiness. EDXA P. FARLEY" St- Bernard Blest with love How fclest am I that the presence of that infant born so long ago can be seen in the four children bora to me. How blest am I that I was given the privilege of them grow and mature into loving and giving adults.

How blest am I that once again the privilege of loving a child was given to me. Welcome. Emily EHrabeth. Your Grandma loves you. BETTY" FEJST-H1LMER Savier Park Gift for God gooJ news is that Jesus washers jra.

Eved and died for us. In celebrate Christmas in the manner in which it was given to us XX'T. open-Reartea contemplatio open-hearted. ion of the mysteries of a compassionate God. Jesus Christ showed us how to Sve.

He grew up accepting profound humiliation, pain, sorrow and hatred in order to teach us patience, humility aid a correct perspective regarding our place in God's well-ordered universe. He welcomed poverty in order to show us the non-value of material things. He practiced total acceptance of all people in order to teach us justice aid unconditional love. We can see the results of rejection of God's wiU. but there is reason for hope.

This Christmas, we can look into our hearts and see if there is a gift we can give back to God. Perhaps we can change our outlook on life to conform to God loving wiU for us, and in so doing, transform the world into what it was meant to be. MRS. BALBACH TAYLOR Milford Journev with Christ Hate, destruction, and injustice of ev en- nature have come to pass these last 12 months. Seeing all the evil mankind creates, one begins to wonder if any good does take place here on Earth.

For my wife and me. however, this question can easily be answered. During the last 10 months we have been introduced to many wonderful things and many caring people. Why? Because we are in the midst of a new beginning and a time of teaming, thanks to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (KCL) at St. William Church.

Christmas this year has taken on a much deeper meaning for the two of us. The friendship and love expressed by our parish members has been tremendous. We want to tike this opportunity to send our love and thanks to our families, friends, sponsors, fellow RCL group, and those wonderful catechists, for their support and guidance on our journey with Christ Merry Christmas. JEFF SCH1XAMAX Western Hills To be parents, thai was our dream i dream we thought at times would never he fulfZed. Eat w-xh help from our doctor.

O'deS Owens, and my wife's never-g-e-up icirude, we were biessed with a baby girt on Nov. IS. 191. Her Eome is Tiyfer. and she has bruughl me mere joy than I ever irnagmed was possible.

Now she ho5day seasoo is here and I have many things to. be thankful for. but none is as important as my fomZy. my fcvely wife. Lisa, and my beautiiil daughter.

Taylor, thank you fibr making my 5fe JEFF YORK Milford Giftofghlng I have a special memory feat makes Christmas very special for me. It was tine year 1 Learned about giving, hen I gave up my daughter for adoption. Thirteen years ago this Christmas, I had to spend the hoEday away from family and friends because I was pregnant and Irving in the Sl Joseph Infant and Maternity Home. It was a very depressing time for me because I missed out on so- many special activities. The part that hurt the most was being away from home on Christmas.

My family packed everything in the car early that morning to come do Christmas with me. The visitors' rooms were terribfv Smells and I wis worried about where we would all fit with the gifts, my parents and sfbEngs. A kind lady. Barb, who worked in the kitchen, said she had aa klea. She dragged the decorated tree from the main Wbby to a special lounge that had couches, lamps and carpeting.

It was Eke a huge living room. Then she wheeled a cart of doauts. juke and coffee into the room for us to enjoy while we did Christmas. It was a most wonderful time, just Eke being at home. I don't think I ever got the chance to say thank you because the baby arrived the next afternoon and I didnt see her again.

She did a most unself sh thing that morning that made for the kindest gift I've ever received, someone's thougutfumess. I don't know where she ts cow. but I pray her Efe is ever blessed for what she gave to me that LRTI "JEANNE GARDNER Delhi Family tradition Never was love and gratitude more profoundly shown than by the beautiful Christmas party our children and nieces and nephew threw for our family. Can you imagine how honored we felt that they chose to carry on our tradition of a Hathorn family Christmas party? We always felt happy and proud when the party was over. It made the work all worthwhile.

This year we are even more proud to see how the next generation came together with such team spirit It was just wonderful and with misty eyes, your parents say thank you. Love and hugs and Merry Christmas to our children and nieces and nephews, ETTA HOEH Westwood Special dad I am writing this letter for my dad. Jack G. Watkins, who died 9, 1992. It was a sudden and unexpected death that shocked our whole family.

Christmas was a somber day, opening presents that he had bought early. Christmas was his favorite holiday: he always went out of his way to make sure my brother, sister and I got exactly what we wanted. He was the biggest kid of all when it came to Christmas morning. His death not only saddened me, but also angered me. How could he just go.

without a good-bye or anything? I consulted with my dad for advice and encouragement. He was always there for me. How ever, as the year went on I found that my father had given me something during his life more precious than all the presents combined himself. He never really told me hat to do, but rather helped me decide for myself. By his example he has passed on his confidence, common sense, honesty and ability to listen.

He has given me a part of himself that win never go away. I pray that I can pass on to my three kids what my father gave to me. I visit his grave often when I have things to talk over and he is still at it ktting me decide for myself. Merry Christmas Dad. and thanks again for the best gift of aft, you.

BILL ATKINS Madeira WW Christinas spirit He was the meanest onieriest 12-year-old boy in town. I needed a boy to heJp in the store so I asked hsrrr if he wanted a job. He took it and did real well The other workers liked him; he got alocg with everybody. I had one iecter from a person saying he would stop trading with me if I didn't get rid of him. The chief of police stopped and told me the boy was doing fine, that he had had no more complaints against h'mv I told him the boy had money cow and he could buy anything the other children could.

A week before Christmas, he told me he wanted to make mere money to buy presents. ChrisCnas morning, he was waiting for me at the store. He told me what he bought his sisters and mother, and then he left I never asked him what he was getting, because he had the spirit of giving and that was his Christinas. Bethel Special daughter This is a special wish for a Christmas to a very special girt You started out Lie being born early and with a physical handi but in my heart, soul and eyes. God gave me a special daughter to raise and care for and to love more than life.

My daughter, Samantha. you have grown into a grown into a Amf oung lady that r1 ft ft loves to be 4f Iff' lovely young everyone around. special way making people happy and to make them smile. You are a ray of sunshine. You have gone through so much in your 14 years, and yet you keep your positive attitude and your strong outlook on Efe.

Maybe everyone else in this world would get along better and be a lot of happier if we had your ,1 it attitude. Keep it up. Also remember that, no matter what, I love you with each and every breath I take. Mom. JOAWE WOOLERY Mount Healthy Glorious surprise You asked that we share good news this holiday season.

So this is to a Mrs. Reddick (she didn't want any recognition) for the most honorable thing a person could do. On Dec. 4. 1 went to the Christmas Choral Festival at Music Hal It was raining when we came out so we rushed to the car parked in the lot next door.

There was a parking-lot ticket stuck on the windshield and I opened the door and reached out to take it off. I didnt realize until we reached the restaurant that my purse had fallen out of the car at the parking lot Every important monetary and memorable thing was in my purse, and I thought it was all gone. What a glorious surprise when I called Music Hall and got the word that my purse had been turned in a purse laying in a public parking lot a miracle. A Mrs. Reddick gave me my Christmas joy, and I thank God there are people in Cincinnati like her.

I hope she reads this so I can wish her a joyous Christmas. ANN CARROLL Love land Dedicated senice I would like to wish a Merry Christmas to the Children's Services social workers at the Hamilton County Department of Human Services. You offer hope and stability to our community's most troubled families, and you keep on trying, even when your efforts are misunderstood or Merry as churches during those years were robbed of artistic glory, and preached submission to the state, praised Soviet policy at home and abroad I am sure Russia's current moral sufferings and spiritual decline are due to its 70 years of atheism. Both Hanukkah and Christmas are a good reminder for all people that we ail are as children, not merely the creatures of God. capturing the spirit of reverence and awe.

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas, my beloved America. YURI GO LI Symmes Township Coming home You asked if we had good news to share this holiday season. I sure do. My son Joe Wooddell is a seminary student in Fort Worth, Texas. He goes to school full-time and has three part-time jobs.

He gets very little financial help from family, and is doing this all on bis own. He called a couple of weeks ago and said he was coming home for Christmas. I was pleased and surprised, and worried about him making the trip in his old "SO Nova with 220,000 miles on it Then he said, "Momma, someone is paying my way home. I don't know who. A 'middle man' came to me and said somebody thought it would be nice if I could go home for Christmas and handed me the money for an airline ticket" I thank God for the anonymous angel who did this for my son, someone who truly cares about him and wanted to give him this gift BREXDA RLTFNER Madison Place Devoted clergy Ever since the first Christmas, beginning with King Herod and the massacre of the Holy Innocents, evil ones have tried to tear down the image of the Christ child, transformed into that wonderful word Christianity, but they wffl never succeed.

Almost 2,000 years of glorious faith will never be overwhelmed by the antichrists, whose latest gimmick is picking on isolated cases of hopeless and helpless, weakness-targeted clergy. Sad? Certainly it is sad. But their very isolation cannot begin to compare with the millions and millions of good, kind, gentle clergy who have lived and died through these almost 2,000 years and who have "fought the good fight and kept the faith." This they did despite almost unbelievable occupational hazards and, of course, at a minimum wage. To the faithful clergy: The newborn babe was thinking of you that first Christmas, for he knew that you would not close the door on him. GEORGE P.

MAHER Western Hills Honor Ruth Lyons If Christmastime again and I must write this letter. There was a wonderful woman in our city who has helped so miinu aiii rxrA crranHrhilHrPn when they had to go to the hospitaL She has gone from this world to her reward, but her great work continues. Couldn't we show our appreciation and name a street (instead of an alley) after her as we have done for so many others? How about Ruth Lyons Boulevard? MARGIE GEIGER Westwood Hanukkah gifts Hannukah was fast approaching, which should be a happy thought unless you are a clueless Midwest Episcopalian 'J '''0m2. unappreciated. Thank you specifically for the assistance you have given to the families I have referred to you this year.

M. ELAINE BILLMIRE, M.D. Mount Healthy Grateful family Thanks. Mom. We're all so glad you made it through the heart attack in Aprfl, and the five-way bypass surgery in May, and are here to spend the holidays with us.

You gave us all something very special to be thankful for during Thanksgiving, and having you with us for Christmas will be especially wonderfuL Merry Christmas and love from all of your kids Dee. Nancy, Betty. Carol. Marilyn, Denny, Maureen. Kay, Mkhele and Cary.

DEE ROBERTS Forest park Spirit of loving My special thanks to all the volunteer ombudsman who visit residents in nursing homes in the five-county area You bring Christmas every week. 52 times a year. You are the spirit of loving and giving. PAT UPPMW Supervisor PRO Seniors Inc. Downtown y.NJi TKTtt Xyfc" -7 'A I J.

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