The Campground

I recently found out that a person I have gotten to know on a limited basis via emails is suffering from cancer and may not survive the battle. This person is my age and had many things left to do with his life. Due to privacy issues I shall not reveal his name. But he is on my mind everyday and particuarly at night when I lift my prayers. I am praying for him every day and asking God to give him courage and good faith to face whatever the next part of his journey will be. It may very well be that his journey will lead him to "The Campground" over the River Jordan. Blessed be.

Because of the privacy issue I am unable to express much more than this because it may reveal his identity. But suffice to say I will be forever grateful for having the opportunity of knowing him. He has given a gift to many--the gift of generosity, intelligence, perserverance and a passion for his life's work.

May his journey be peaceful and may the journey's end lead him to the destination where he can begin again.

Polar Express

We went to see the new movie Polar Express last night and I sat through most of it with tears in my eyes. Emotions just flowed through me as I viewed this beautiful movie. I hope every child that Believes goes to see this movie and those who don't believe must go also.

I adore Tom Hanks as an actor. I feel like I have grown up watching him even though we are about the same age but I have watched his carreer and even though I haven't always enjoyed all of his movies. . . I still have remained a fan. When I saw him in "Ladykillers" this summer I fell in love with him again. His character is probably one of the least romantic men he has played. But he is such an amazing actor that he made me fall in love with the quirky 'professor' with those southern charms and his way with Edgar Allen Poe's poetry. Now whenever we pass the Waffle House on Interstate 81 coming north from Hagerstown, MD I always hear those words, "Waffles! We must all think and have waffles." And I giggle.

In the "Polar Express" his spirit is infused into the movie. His multiple roles are fun but the best one is his conductor. The pairing up of Tom with Chris Van Allsburg was genius. And they took my all time favorite Christmas story and turned into something more magical--if it was possible.

Seeing is believing, but sometimes believing what we cannot see is the best thing of all.
Amen. Amen. Amen.

And may the bell continue to ring for Mr. Hanks for the remainder of his days.