Day 14....'SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER ' Part II "A Betsy Wetsy Christmas "

Day 14.....'Spreading Holiday Cheer'

Day 14.....Give a hot beverage to the bell ringer or cold beverage depending on where you reside. 

                 FOR YOU

Day 14.....Enjoy a hot chocolate or hot beverage while relaxing.  

The Salvation Army bell ringers have a thankless task I feel.  There they stand from four to more hours outside in the elements ringing the bell next to the kettle hoping someone drops in a donation. I worked for a woman who belonged to an organization that volunteered to do kettle duty.  She had a four hour shift for two different days in a two week period.  Living up north during December is not a walk in the park. It is cold, sometimes frigid, snowy at times and just plain miserable.  She told me one individual had gone to a local deli and brought her back a hot chocolate.  It made her four hours out in the cold tolerable. I have seen those volunteers out in cold and out in warm weather now that I live in Florida. Last year I purchased a bottle of water and handed it to the bell ringer along with putting my donation in the kettle. That person thanked me and said how grateful they were. It is a simple act of kindness to give that person a drink to either warm them, hydrate them or quench their thirst. 

Again I think having a hot beverage to relax is an excellent way to relax before turning in for the night.  It has a calming effect and can actually make you sleep better (or it does for me). 

I enjoyed passing out candy canes yesterday. I had a variety of flavors and yes I did have miniature as well as regular size. This is the first year I found miniature flavored candy canes.  

Of course I kept a few of both for myself.  I always feel like a child again while enjoying one. Yesterday I had a cherry flavored. Today I see myself with a chocolate mint flavor. 

Enjoy the day.  Hope the bell ringer is appreciative of your gesture.  

Also Part II of "A Betsy Wetsy Christmas is posted below. 

I decided to post the story below the blog so you don't miss it.             

             Part II 

"A Betsy Wetsy Christmas"

This is part two of a wonderful Christmas memory.

After my visit with Santa, I was on my best behavior.  I kept wondering if Santa sees all and knows, does he see when you go in the bathroom.  I asked my grandmother and she said no that's one place he can't see you.  

During the days before Christmas things went on in life with my grandparents. Grandma and Aunt Julie baked breads, cookies and other goodies. On Sundays I went to Sunday school and church. My Sunday school class practiced the song we were going to sing at the Christmas Day Service.  I was excited I'd be singing at church as this would be my first time to do so.  I had a new red velvet dress I would be wearing.  

Christmas Eve my mother arrived at grandma and grandpa's house. Her hair this time was a brown color (one never knew what color hair she or my Aunt Mae would have. The colors changed on occasion). 

Grandma prepared a nice Christmas Eve meal and after supper I hung up my stocking.  I took my teddy bear and my cat Fluffy up to my bed.  I asked grandma to make sure Fluffy had a stocking hanging up. I was certain Santa also brought gifts to good cats and dogs. 

Christmas morning arrived and all I could think about was what Santa left for me. Unfortunately I first had to get dressed for the day and have breakfast. 

By the time I got downstairs for my Aunt Mae and Uncle Harold arrive for the day. My Aunt Julie and I would be attending church with them.  

I hugged all the adults, sat down to my breakfast of oatmeal and milk. I hurried through my meal so I could see what Santa left me. 

Walking into the living room there it sat under the tree or should I say there she sat, Betsy Wetsy. 

Santa came through. 

Keep watching my blog for Part III.