reVision magazine - December 2015

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a reVision publication

December 2015

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From the editor

rePeatedly reVised My childhood memories from the holidays are filled with time spent with family and traditions that made Christmas a time to remember.

When I was a kid, we didn’t decorate the outside of our home and our trailer park wasn’t really the best place to spot holiday décor.

So, every season, my dad would load the car with me, my mom and my siblings for a trip to housing additions filled with holiday lights.

Thinking back on those homes, they weren’t anything special, but in my child’s eyes they were mansions lit up with holiday magic. While out looking at lights, my dad would always go through the drivethrough for chocolate shakes. Considering we didn’t do fast food in my family, this was a big treat.

For Christmas Eve, we’d go to my grandmothers where we’d prepare all the “fixin’s” for Santa. Cookies, milk and some carrots for Rudolph were carefully put on a plate and placed near the tree. My sister and I would be sent off to bed, but there was hardly any sleeping going on. We laid in bed and talked about what we might find under the tree the next morning.

When tired eyes gave way to sleep, morning would come full of gifts under the tree. My grandmother and my mom would fill the table with the best food. Turkey, potatoes, green bean casserole and desserts galore! I loved all the hustle and bustle found in my grandmother’s house. In the den, my grandfather would turn on his stereo system, you know… the system encased in a large wood cabinet. Bing Crosby would croon holiday carols and somehow a warmth would float through the house.

Those memories are tied to funny traditions that only my grandmother could institute. Such as using argyle knee-high socks for our stockings instead of the traditional red stocking with white trim.

Our socks were stuffed with fruit and nuts… and maybe a fun toy. She would divide the room under the tree in three sections — one section for each of us grandkids. Of course, as children we were sure this creative display of gifts was Santa’s idea.

Now as an adult, different traditions come into play. My husband and all of his siblings are darn good cooks. So, after a five-star feast at Thanksgiving, the Browning tradition for Christmas is to pitch the traditional repeat of delicacies, and opt for a family cook-off. Last year the dish was macaroni and cheese. These dishes would put Kraft to shame! It was fun and something different. My sister-in-law Jenny won last year’s cook-off, but this year’s event is centered around chicken and dumplings—a dish I believe my husband will win hands down. My job is taste-tester, along with the other noncooks. So, I think it is I who truly wins, my waistline — well, that’s a different story.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Christie Browning — Editor, Speaker, Entrepreneur, Success Coach

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On the cover: Hannah Schaefer is a rising star in the Christian Contemporary Music scene. A talented vocalist and song writer, it’s Hannah’s approach to her career that’s cause for applause. Photo courtesy of Hannah Schaefer.

Christie shares a personal and intimate look at a Christmas miracle with her grandfather.

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Winter fashion:

Christmas from a single parent’s perspective: How to deal with the pressure and take in the moments

Go boho!

15 23 Gooey, tasty treats combine for one major dessert

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18 Dealing with holiday stress: You can avoid it!

Home

Give your Christmas decorating a lift courtesy of The Inspired Room (www.theinspiredroom.net)

I

love traditional Christmas decorating, but after 23 years or so of decorating my own house for Christmas, I am really inspired to to find some new fresh ideas to mix things up a bit this year. I want to do something a bit different and a bit unexpected.

To be honest, the thought of dragging out 25 boxes of

dusty old stuff makes me a little tired, is that a sign of old age? Don’t answer that. Seriously. I do love traditions and the memories involved with some of our things, but I am finding it fun to stretch myself and modernize my look a bit.

So, here are three ways to mix things up this Christmas and come up with something more unique!

1. Put a tree or other decor in a new room.

This is an easy one, why not try some of your traditional items in a new room? Putting a tree in the bedroom seems very romantic to me (top photo).

I’ve often thought about it but I don’t think I have ever actually had a tree in my master bedroom. Even some branches with lights would be very pretty in the bedroom, wouldn’t it?

Hmmm…I think I really need to do this. Two years ago I hung a wreath from my bed to try something a little different.

The wreath is traditional but you’d expect to see it on a door or window. It was really pretty until it started getting crunchy and dropped leaves every time we rolled over at night.

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2. T ry a n on -traditi onal shape for your trees.

Some rooms just do not have enough space for a chubby Christmas tree. These almost bonzai style trimmed trees (above) would make an interesting statement even in a small space, wouldn’t they?

Confession: We’ve almost trimmed our tree branches like this on accident while trying to get the tree to fit in our tree stand, but never on purpose. This shape of tree would look very cool in a dining room or entry too.

Even sticks and twigs can give a real wintry and festive look in a room. I love how these sticks are in a container of white rocks, it looks like snow!

3. Look for ways to r einterpret the ex pected .

Think outside the box. What are some ways you could make a new statement this year?

Maybe instead of (or in addition to) a tree you could try something like this table arrangement with the brightly wrapped gifts below it. The table and greenery stand in for the traditional tree quite well.

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Fashion

Have a bohemian

By Kennedy Slavicek Bohemian in the winter? Of course!! There is nothing more

boho than ponchos; and they are definitely in this season. During the winter months, throw on a chunky scarf and keep it edgy with some leather leggings. Ponchos are great because they can keep you warm and are cute at the same time!

Wear this outfit to a Christmas party or even a family holiday reunion. Merry Christmas and have a great, fashionable holiday season!

Kennedy Slavicek is reVision magazine’s fashion contributor. You can learn more about Kennedy by visiting her at her online clothing store, kennedynoellescloset.com and her blog, kennedynoelle.com .

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Feature

Taking it

It would seem Hannah Schaefer has been singing contemporary Christian music her entire life. A consistent sound that brings faith-filled truth to life, Hannah’s voice is ripe for the Christian music scene. However, this particular brand is something new for Hannah.

Growing up in church and having participated in a variety of school choirs, musicals and performancebased groups, singing was second-nature to Hannah. However, her classically trained voice was geared more for performing arts or the Broadway stage. As her high-school graduation date grew close, she was accepted to the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Prestigious in its own right, Hannah also earned a vocal scholarship.

But she shocked all that knew her talent when she turned down the opportunity and decided to go for a Christian Contemporary Music recording career.

Although some scratched their heads and questioned her decision, Hannah is finding her instincts, intuition and heart were spot on. She’s now an award-winning song writer and on her way to the career she’s been wanting, working and preparing for since making her choice.

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By Christie Browning

RM: Hannah, tell us about this songwriting award you recently won.

HS: “The award was the John Lennon Song-

writing Contest and I won for the Gospel Category. The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is named for former Beatle John Lennon. It’s a songwriting competition for songwriters, and I am beyond amazed at being selected for this honor.”

RM: What does this mean for your career?

HS: “For me personally, it is a confirmation

that what I am doing is working. It gives me confidence to keep writing. As for my career, I think it gains me the attention I want to go further in this industry. I don’t like pushing myself on others, so this award sort of speaks for me.”

RM: You just released your first EP, “All The Way.” Tell us about the songs you selected to release.

HS: “As you can imagine, they are all very

close to my heart and tell a part of my story.

You can almost listen to my journey as you listen to the CD. I wanted songs that communicated faith, trust and perseverance. The first song on the CD is “All The Way,” which is the first song I really came out with. It really speaks to my decision to chase this career.”

RM: Yes, tell us about the thought behind this song and your career choice.

HS: “The song talks about not knowing what the future holds,

but trusting that God is with you in every step -‘All The Way.’ The song summed up my heart when it came to taking a different path—one that many people didn’t understand. I wasn’t really sure how this music career would work out — there aren't any guarantees. But, I knew I had to follow my heart and what I felt God was calling me to do.”

RM: Any other songs that resonate with your career?

HS: “I think ‘Warrior’ is my power song. It makes me feel

like I could take on the world. But ‘Go’ is sort of my commitment to God saying, ‘I am going to go wherever you take me, even if it’s hard, uncertain or means a lot of change.”

RM: So how did you make the leap from classical voice to a more “pop” sound?

HS: “I worked with a coach that helped me retrain my

voice to embrace a more contemporary sound. It was a lot of work, but it was also fun to step into this new sound.”

RM: Other than writing amazing songs and spending some time in the recording studio, what else have you been doing?

HS: “I’ve been performing as much as I can. It’s been great

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getting to work with a live band, which evolved this year. I’ve had the privilege to be on a great tour with a few other artists and building those relationships are priceless. The experience is great and every time I go on stage, I feel like I get stronger as a vocalist and performer.”

RM: Any big plans on the horizon?

HS: “I am always writing. That is something I

try to do on a regular basis. As I continue to form relationships, I gain more exposure and have more opportunities.

“There’s some exciting things coming down the pike. I’m just spending time trying to soak it all in and be thankful that I get to do what I love to do. I know now that I am doing what God created me to do, and I'm so thankful that He has given me the courage to take that leap of faith, to go and follow Him.” Download Hannah’s debut CD, “All The Way,” on iTunes. Visit her online for the latest news and music at www.hannahschaeferofficial.com

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United

for the joy of

giving back

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In Print

The Best Small Fictions 2015 Anthology Edited—Robert Olen Butler & Tara L. Masih Queen’s Ferry Press—October 2013 ISBN-13 978-1-938466-625 Paperback—145pp $14.95 Review by Valerie Wieland Here’s the solution for people who love to read fiction but haven’t the time or inclination to plow through a novel or even a standard length short story. The Best Small Fictions 2015 lets you peruse 55 short stories—some are as tiny as a paragraph or a sentence. The longest stories in this digest-size book are four pages.

Bright Dead Things Poetry—Ada Limon Milkweed Editions —September 2015

ISBN-13 978-1-57131-471-0 Paperback—128pp $16.00 Review by Dana Johnson Ada Limón’s fourth collection of poems, Bright Dead Things, faces discontentment, nostalgia, and longing in the face of a changing environment. The speaker examines her place in a varied world littered with its fried pickles, wide expanse of blue skies, fields full of fireflies and the stars they mirror. Limón brings us a world we recognize.

Where the death of a loved one comes flooding back over margaritas at a Mexican restaurant, where animals suffer, where we leave small pleasures in old cities, and where life goes on despite all of it.

City of Ladies Fiction—Sarah Kennedy Knox Robinson Publishing—October 2014 ISBN-13 978-1-910282-09-0 Hardcover—293pp $27.99 Review by Allysson Parsons

City of Ladies is the second book in Sarah Kennedy’s “The Cross and the Crown” series.

The book follows recently reformed ex-nun, Catherine Havens Overton, and her life with husband William Overton. At her new estate, she has employed her former sisters and cares for them, who have nowhere else to go. When one is found dead, she fears for the safety of the rest of her ladies. But another murder and an investigation will not deter husband William from his plans to gain a place in King Henry VII’s court, in which Catherine plays a key role. With his assurance that the murderer will be found, Catherine reluctantly agrees to leave Overton House.

Compulsion Fiction—Meyer Levin

Fig Tree Books—April 2015 ISBN-13 978-19941493021 Paperback—480pp $15.95 Review by Patricia Contino Meyer Levin (1905-1981) wrote novels, plays, and the Israel Haggadah for Passover still in use and in print for over 40 years. Fig Tree Books, a publisher specializing in titles relating to the American Jewish experience, recently re-issued Levin’s Compulsion, his 1956 bestseller fictionalizing the names (including his own as a reporter for The Chicago Daily News) but not the facts of the Leopold and Loeb murder trial. Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood (1959) and Norman Mailer’s The Executioner’s Song (1979) followed the same author-in-the-nonfiction/novelization crime formula, producing some of their best writing. After subsequent “Crimes of the Century” involving celebrities and troubled young men both rich and poor that the media treats like celebrities, Compulsion is a reflective experience.

The Crossing Poetry—Jonathan Fink Dzanc Books—May 2015 ISBN-13 978-1-938103-02-9 Paperback—76pp $15.95 Review by Dan Schell The poems in Jonathan Fink’s debut book The Crossing were a decade in the making, and it shows with well-crafted language and imagery that broadens expectations of modern poetic narrative, while still carrying a torch for more formal styles of verse.

An artist takes his whole life to construct a debut work, and Fink himself has stated that the main struggle in a first outing is to know when to stop fiddling with the pieces and release them from the nest. But Fink’s patience has paid off and he has made all the right moves here, even garnering an introduction from former U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Tretheway.

Famous Baby Fiction—Karen Rizzo Prospect Park Books—July 2014 ISBN-13 978-1-938849-30-5 Paperback—240pp $15.00

Review by Elizabeth O’Brien The story of Famous Baby focuses on Ruth Sternberg, the “First Mother of Mommy Blogging,” and her daughter/blog subject, Abbie. Resentful of her mother’s appropriation of her life for blog material, eighteen-year-old Abbie has kidnapped her dying grandmother to live with her in an effort to prevent Ruth from recording and blogging her death. Ruth is understandably panicked by the disappearance of her mother and daughter, not least of all because without either of them, she is at a loss for subject matter. The plot is further complicated by the appearance of Eric, a sweet, young, aspiring filmmaker whose interest in making a film about Abbie reminds her of her mother a little more than she’d like. She seems to find his interest flattering and offputting by turns.

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Faith

A Single Parent Christmas

By Toni Ryan I love Christmas! I'm sure you do too! Every year I look forward to Christmas music, Christmas decorations, Christmas goodies, and yes, like everyone else, Christmas presents; both giving and receiving.

For many, the giving of gifts becomes more of a stressful event than a joyful experience. Due to a lack of financial resources, we can find ourselves dreading, more than looking forward to, this magical season. Single parents in particular, especially if the other parent is unavailable, seem to suffer the most.

For much of my son's young life, Christmas was financially difficult on me. From the time Joshua was four years old, it was just the two of us.

Many Christmases were financially tight, so guilt would set in as I got caught up in the commercialism just like everyone else. Add to it, the peer pressure as he became a teenager to have the coolest stuff, and you can imagine how much added pressure I felt to provide said cool stuff. Creativity was a must to insure a pleasant Christmas season for both of us.

My son is now twenty eight years old and proudly serving in the United States Air Force.

Before I go on, I'd like to share something he wrote for me to share with you. I asked him for his thoughts on having grown up in a single parent home with limited resources much of the time.

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Here are his thoughts penned for you:

“Christmas was sometimes tough for my Mom I think. But I don’t really remember it that way. Mostly what I remember from Christmas doesn’t even have to do with presents. I remember putting up lights on the house. Hanging ornaments on the tree. Passing out candles for the Christmas Eve candlelight service at church.

Making apple pie.

“Of course it got to me sometimes, when some of my friends had new video games or the newest pair of soccer cleats. The main reason that I didn’t let it get to me was my Mom’s honesty about our situation and her promise that I would always have what I needed, even if it wasn’t the best of the best. Since she was honest with me I understood our situation and was able to appreciate so much more the little things when they did come.

“What is most memorable for me is the quality time we spent together. Playing ping-pong, running around with my dog Striker in the house, racing home after church to watch ‘Alias.’ When we did things together, having things didn’t matter.”

“Words cannot adequately express my thankfulness and admiration of my Mom. She sacrificed so much and strived incredibly hard to provide for me growing up. That means more than any new pair of jeans or video game could.”

— Josh.

As you can imagine, I cried when I read these words from my son. Tears spill again as I thank God for

those tough financial days that have had an impact on my son for the better.

I share this with you in hopes of bringing peace and hope to those who may also be feeling inadequate to meet the expectations of children and themselves. Not only for the single parent, but also for two parent homes where finances are stretched thin.

One of the things my son eluded to was that I was honest with him about our financial situation. He knew I would not go into debt just to buy gifts and he understood why. He also knew he would always have what he needed and a few of the things he wanted along the way.

I am most thankful that he also knew and still does know, the true meaning of Christmas.

Whatever you do, do not fall for the guilt trap of feeling like you must provide everything to make up for the lack of a two parent home. Can I hear and AMEN!?

Many will fully understand what I mean.

I think we must have a malfunction in our brains that creates such nonsense. This is the exact opposite of what our children need from us!

Instead, what they need from us is our love, discipline, encouragement and trust. More than gifts, they need to know we are not going anywhere. They need to know they are safe and have a parent who is their biggest fan. No amount of money can buy such priceless gifts to our children.

So what's a parent to do when money is tight and Christmas is calling.

I may be a little late to the party here, but try to plan ahead. After Christmas this year, look at the huge sales for gifts for next year. Put them away, somewhere you will remember but will not be found by the kids.

Remembering is tricky. Ha! Yep, I've found things I bought and hid well after Christmas.

This year would be a good time to start a new tradition. Taking your children somewhere to serve others really does help them to understand the real meaning of the Christmas season. My son and I had a soup

kitchen we served at, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year. Priceless life lessons for both of us.

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 Have your children go through their old toys that are still in good condition. Ask them which of them they'd like to give to children that are living in a homeless shelter.

I'll never forget the care, concern and generosity that poured from my, then eight year old, son the first time I told him about the children who may not have much, if anything, for Christmas. He was saddened at the thought then overjoyed as he gave, not just old toys, but, many of his most cherished possessions. Made this Mama proud.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Buy multiple, small, inexpensive gifts. We all like the opening part, so several small items will make even teenagers delight in your thoughtfulness. Just ask my son, he still enjoys opening his very own box of Chips Ahoy cookies and Little Debbie treats. Love that boy!!

Have you started an ornament collection yet?

Many ornaments are inexpensive and give them something to look forward to each year in adding to what will be their very own Christmas tree someday. Look for ornaments that will remind them of this time in their lives. The re-living of each ornament is a memory that keeps on giving year after year as you place them, one by one, on the tree.

If you are able to purchase something you know will have them hugging the stuffing out of you, make it a challenge to find. I loved leaving clues all over the house, each leading to the other, until the moment of finding the gift finally came. I'm not sure which of us had more fun!

I could go on, but I think you get the point. It's not necessarily the amount of money spent, it's the thoughtfulness and effort that matter. Our children

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need to learn this from us far more than they need us to spend endless dollars on gifts that will soon be forgotten.

Oh, one more thing. Depending on the age of your children, think about writing a letter and framing it for them. The letter should be about how much you love him or her and the things you are the most proud of. Seriously, this is one of the least expensive gifts (dollar store for frame) you will give, but the one that will be kept for a lifetime. Heartfelt words are priceless.

Try this one for anyone on your Christmas gift giving list. It's sure to be a hit!

Regardless of how you navigate the Christmas buying season, I pray, above all, that you, and your loved ones, will experience great joy and build wonderful memories as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Heavenly Father, please help each of us to remember the beauty of Christmas as we give to others

and show the love of Christ to everyone we encounter.

May each of us know You more fully as each day passes.

In the matchless name of our Lord Savior and birthday Boy. Amen.

Merry Christmas and God bless you!

Toni Ryan is a wife, mom, a Christian, and business woman with a heart to write and speak about the love of God. Insurance agent by day, speaker and writer by night, Toni has a deep connection to her faith and shares her writing online at In His Embrace (www.inhisembrace.com)

Faith

by Christie Browning

It’s that time of year when hustling and bustling is taboo. We expect the season to be merry, bright and stressful.

We prepare ourselves for long lines, grumpy attitudes and over-stretched budgets. But we quickly wrap it all up in shiny paper and serve it with a “Merry Christmas!” - yes, that makes it all better.

Is that really how we deal with the holiday season? Are we doomed to just survive it? If only it was possible to move through the next month in a slow-motion fashion, with grateful hearts and genuine smiles.

Consider this your tutorial on how to do just that — reduce your holiday stress, enjoy the holidays and truly be present for each moment.

#1—Check your expectations When it comes to the holidays, our mindset can determine the outcome. If we have dreamt of a magical experience with all of our family members dressed perfectly with big smiles and warm hearts, gathered around a tree, and a dinner scene that looks like something painted by Norman Rockwell…. we might be disappointed. Truth is, our expectations can set us up for failure.

The pressure that comes with heightened demands, the need to please and perform, and the stress to impress can make us crumble at the first sign of something not going according to plan. And, as we threaten our kids within an inch of their life to not fight or mess up their dinner clothes; hold our breathe each time that certain family member takes a sip of the spiked egg nog; pray your parents don’t provoke your spouse; hope your mother-in-law doesn’t spot the stained carpet…. the holiday is passed.

Rather than spend your holiday stressed and an emotional mess, keep those expectations in a realistic frame.

As rapper Ice Cube once said, “you better check yourself before you wreck yourself.” Never has a saying been more true about the holidays.

Instead of setting your sights on the memories you are determined to create at your holiday gathering, why not turn your heart to the simplicity of twinkling lights, children’s laughter and the entertainment that comes from eccentric relatives. And that stained carpet...well, now you don’t have to worry about your tipsy aunt sloshing the egg nog on the floor.

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#2 — Check your calendar Between holiday dinners, school pageants, workplace parties and church services, the calendar can get crowded very quickly. To keep from being stressed, don’t over-commit to all that is offered during the season. That may seem easier said than done, but if you take time to predetermine what you will and will not do, you can keep your grip on the calendar. This helps you feel in control and in the driver’s seat.

Know what your limitations are. Don’t book yourself for something every night of the week if you know that emotionally and physically drains you dry.

Look at the December calendar. Write in the events that are non -negotiable. Next, write in the events that are important to your family.

If the calendar is full...stop writing. If there are blocks of dates where you are open, you can feel free to agree to some holiday revelry. Otherwise, if you see your calendar is getting to full for comfort, stop planning and stop agreeing to attend each and every tree lighting, choir concert and so on.

#3—Check out for a break No matter what time of year, we need a break. It’s OK to take time for ourselves, to detach from the to-dos, unplug from technology, and shut off from the world. Breaks are also necessary during the holiday season.

When looking at your December calendar, pick a date that is going to be your “Check Out Date” — a day, or part of a day, where you detach, unplug and shut off. Leave the presents unwrapped, the laundry can wait and take out is totally acceptable on this day.

Why is a break so important? It will help you slow down, reconnect with your heart and refuel yourself so that you are able to deal with the other days full of hustle and bustle. Don’t take a break and you will be the one who explodes during the Christmas Eve service, spewing your emotions on everyone around you.

In fact, when perusing your calendar, take a few days as your “Check Out Date,” and if checking out means checking in with a girlfriend, family member or even a good book...do what it takes to take care of you!

Regardless of what your holiday plans may include, remember that December is one month out of twelve. If we must spend the other eleven months healing from the stress, pressure and pain of one month, we’ve missed the entire purpose of Christmas.

Christie Browning is an inspirational speaker and writer. In addition, Christie works with women to overcome boundaries and setbacks to live a more abundant and fulfilling life both professionally and personally. Follow her blog at www.revisionforwomen.com.

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Move over bling... there’s a new kind of

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courtesy of www.kevinandamanda.com

These dangerously decadent chocolate chip cookie ‘n brownie bars combine the best of a gooey chocolate chip cookie, warm fudgy brownie, and an extra sweet double stuffed Oreo.

All you need is a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe (using a little less flour than you normally would), some double stuffed Oreos, a family-sized brownie mix for a 9Ă—13 pan, and some hot fudge chocolate topping for good measure. Add a little of this to a store-bought brownie mix for extra fudgy brownies.

These might be an over-indulgent, but who cares! This rich and chocolatey treat is sure to be a family favorite on those nights when you want to forget the calories!

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Ingredients for cookie dough         

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar ¾ cup light brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract 2½ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups (12 ounces) milk chocolate chips

Ingredients for Oreo 

1 pkg Double Stuffed Oreos

Ingredients for brownies  

1 Family Size (9x13) Brownie mix + eggs and oil as called for on the back of the box ¼ cup hot fudge topping

Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with foil. Coat generously with nonstick cooking spray.

For the cookie dough 1. Cream the butter and both sugars in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 3-5 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well to thoroughly combine. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt, then slowly incorporate into the mixer until the flour is just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

2. Spread the cookie dough in the bottom of prepared pan. Top with a layer of Oreos. Mix together brownie mix according to directions, adding an optional ¼ cup of hot fudge topping to the mix. Pour the brownie batter over the cookie dough and Oreos. Bake at 350 degrees F for 4555 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting.

Brownies may still be gooey in the middle when still warm, but will set up perfectly once cooled. Enjoy!!

Notes: You can place the pan in the fridge to speed up the cooling process.

Feel free to use store-bought cookie dough to make this even easier!

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My very own Christmas miracle

by Christie Browning (Workman)

‘Twas a Christmas celebration long ago, in a small town in Arkansas….

When you consider how important a star was the night Jesus was born, it seems fitting that this story takes place in a town named Star City. And, it’s ideal that, much like the first Christmas night pent in an unassuming barn, Star City is hardly known to many who will read this story. In fact, on that night so long ago, there were no large cathedrals ringing out traditional carols. There weren’t any fancy concerts led by well-known recording artists.

There were no brightly lit downtown skyscrapers or tall trees or twinkling scenes. No, on this magical night in Star City there was a small lighting display, a somber hill, and a lowly tree.

My grandfather, Cravon Eugene Workman, was as stately as his name.

Poised, polished and sophisticated, his photos from World War II show a rather dapper gent with his young bride, my grandmother Louise, on his arm. I never knew that image of my Papa Cravon. By the time I was old enough to really appreciate a relationship with Papa, Alzheimer’s started stealing pieces of him. However, there was one thing that would always bring him back to life...music.

In his den was a large, wood cabinet with built in speakers and a record player. He would play his records, relax in his chair and get lost in the sounds. My dad loves music, I love music, and my grandmother loves music.

So it shouldn’t have been a surprise that Papa Cravon’s trigger would be crooning tunes on his stereo.

When my grandparents moved from Memphis, Tenn. to Star City, Ark. Pictured top: Cravon in his younger years. Pictured left: Louise and Cravon photographed together during WWII.

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our family visits took on a different feel. This small town atmosphere allowed us to slow down and retreat from the concrete world we were used to in Memphis. A quaint circle around their neighborhood made for great walks listening to my grandmother discuss all the town news. At the nearby lake, wildlife became the entertainment while we sat on the dock, drowning worms in the water below.

But when we’d pile in the car for an afternoon drive… that was my favorite Star City past time. As we drove through the town, my Nanny Louise would point out the places that played stage to her childhood memories. Country hills and back roads would take us to the small airport and past the hillside cemetery adorned with little flags next to the headstones.

One particular drive would take us down a country road with chipped asphalt and hardly another car in sight. On the right was a pasture with a few cows passing the time. As the hill crested, a scraggly tree stood alone keeping watch over an old, historic cemetery. My Nanny spent many days working to clean up and restore that cemetery. It was special to her, therefore it was special to me.

At Christmas, the road became a gateway for Christmas lights and holiday celebration. For my child’s eyes, it was a spectacle. The twinkling scenes were enchanting as I watched from our car, my face pressed to the window.

But it was one very special and magical year that the lights were dim compared to the Christmas miracle I experienced on that road, on that hill, by that cemetery.

I couldn’t have been any older than fourteen. Our family piled in the car to go take in the lights. My Papa Cravon, at this point in his illness, was almost all lost to us mentally. Simply trying to explain where we were going was near impossible, and trying to get him to understand how to physically get into the car was sometimes like herding cats. It was an ordeal that night. I remember my dad getting out of the driver’s seat to walk around the car to help his dad, my Papa, into the seat. Imagine the role reversal… the kid now the parent… bribing, pleading and persuading his father to get into the car.

Once the car was in motion, Papa was OK. I think, much like a baby, the movement of the car soothed him. I remember watching him, from the backseat, take in all the lights with just about as much wonder as I did. At some point in our excursion, the car stopped. We were pulled over along side the pasture. We all hoped over the small wire fence and proceeded to the tree. There were people gathered around holding lit candles that illuminated the underside of the bare branches. Light bounced off the old limestone headstones.

As we walked across the field to the tree, it felt like we were players in a scene being acted out for a movie. It didn’t feel real, but I knew it was real… I was there. I could hear the dead grass, choked out from frost and cold temperatures, crunch under my feet. My dad held tight to me and my brother and sister, ready to catch us should our feet find a small hole or uneven ground.

Then, as if we had stepped through a porthole to another dimension, we The Workman family gathers for a meal at a family reunion more than 20 years ago. Pictured clockwise from left: Papa were under the tree consumed Cravon, Christie’s father Randy and her mother Debbie, Christie’s aunt Wanda and Uncle Rick and Nanny Louise. by the candlelight and warmth that flowed from all that had gathered there. I didn’t know anyone under that tree other than my family, but there was no awkwardness. For that moment, the holiday and the meaning of the season made us all family. A small voice started leading us in Christmas carols. We all joined in, holding our candles, soaking in the warmth. As we started singing “Silent Night,” I looked to my left and there stood my Papa Cravon. His crown of silver hair was alive with light and his face was made soft from the candle glow. He looked at me with the clearest eyes, smiled and started in on the verse. His rich baritone voice pierced through all the others and in that moment, he was there. His body and his mind finally one and in sync.

The song seemed to go on forever. I didn't sing a single word, I just stared at this man who I saw, for once with my own eyes, as dapper, poised and sophisticated. His khaki Dockers and sweatshirt could have been a threepiece made of the finest silk. It didn’t matter, because in that moment I saw that which I had only heard about.

And then...as quickly as it came, it went. Like someone had blown out the candle he was holding, he was gone. Confusion clouded over his eyes and his blank expression was cold. Gone was the rich voice and the warm soul. All of a sudden I remembered feeling the coolness in the air. Before the tree was warm, as if there were a fire nearby. But “Silent Night” made way for cold and darkness.

It’s been more than 20 years since that night, but my memories are so vivid that I can hear his voice chiming in… “all is calm, all is bright.” To most, it was just a night in an un assuming town, but to me.. It was my very own Christmas miracle.

I don’t believe in Santa Claus, but I do believe in a baby that was born in a cold, dark world. Who’s light would warm the hearts of those who would choose to accept Him. Who would save the people, giving them an eternal song to sing. That miracle is the one I believe in … the belief that one day I will be united with Papa Cravon and once again hear him singing in Heaven.

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