The fat guy in the red suit is closing in

The fat guy in the red suit is closing in

Local Commentary OK, here we are another week closer to the big day, and you are probably not anywhere close to where you need to be at this time.

Come on now, no crying! We are grown-ups and grown ups just don't do that. Well not where anyone can see us. Have you thought that the fat guy in the red suit is the one that comes out smelling like a rose after you done all the work of going out there and claiming your spot in these stores and taking all the lumps and bruises that came with it?

I know that a lot of you do a lot of shopping on the Internet and that let's you stay at home with a good cup of coffee and you let your fingers do the walking. But then you start to wonder is it going to get here on time and will it fit and what if I have to send it back and on and on it goes so when you think about it even that was not the easiest thing to get your mind wrapped around.

As I said before the fat guy just has to lay back and take it easy and then get all the credit and you know what bothers me is the fact he's not even real but don't say that out loud In case the young ones might be close but that is just the way it has to be. But you got to remember the kiddies don't see bruises because as long as they get most of what they want the big guy to bring them then all is well in their world but remember that is all part of life remember when you were their age.

Seriously this is the time of year that we should be thinking about all the blessings that we have in our life and I'm not talking about just material processions but if you look around you then you see a lot of those blessings everywhere.

I'm talking about that pretty little girl or boy that God let you bring into this world a short time ago and I use that time frame because you can't imagine how quick the years will pass and now when you really look at it you can never put a price on those little arms around your neck and that sweet little voice say into your ear I love you. Now there is a blessing with no comparison and if you think about it that is only one of your many blessings. How about your mother and dad that love you more than you could ever think possible.

I do know that with them being as old as they are, that you think they just didn't seem to understand sometimes what you thought you needed to do and it just had to happen but they wouldn't let you so you thought that they were just to old fashion. But take it from someone that has been there many, many years ago, in time you will come to the conclusion as you look back that they were so much smarter than you ever thought possible. Now hopefully as you grow with your kids one day they will think the same thing about you, so now how about that for a major blessing. The thing that we all must remember is God gave us those kids and he expects to get back a good return on his investment in our lives so what I'm saying is always remember that you should teach them that God should always be first in there everyday life and all these other things like the fat man in the red suit should always come behind that.

I know that sometimes during this time of year we just get so busy that a lot of things that we ought to think about just gets away from us. Now I know that we don't mean for that to happen but it just does so when you get a break in this hectic life that we are living right now just try to keep God in the mix. One thing you have got to remember is this one holiday coming could be your last one or could be their last one so do not ever let that thought get away from you. When Christmas comes around I can't help but think of it in a different way than a lot do because my Mother was born on Christmas Day, so you can understand why I look at through a different set of eyes.

If you had a good relationship with your Mother and she's gone on to be with the Lord then you probably feel like me and would sure like one more of those hugs that she so freely gave to me when I growing up. I do know that she is very happy today even though she left this earth back in the early eighties because she is hand and hand with God now so take all those hugs you can get and take the time to tell her how much you love her just in case it is the last one. Remember some of the last words on the cross when such pain was taking place Jesus looked down at John and told him to behold his mother so just remember if it was good enough for Jesus it ought to be good enough for you. So don't let Christmas over take you just take a few minuets to do some reflection and the holiday will be a lot better. God bless all, and I hope your family gettogether turns out just right.

Bill McFerrin is a West Memphis man with some things to say and a certain way of saying them.

By Bill McFerrin