Christmas Memories

One’s mind holds a library of experiences accumulated over a lifetime. When we are young, the storage space is vast but the inventory is scant. Events add volumes to our library, which we access as needed.

The Christmas season triggers a desire to dust off some of those favorite memories and spend time reliving our warmest memories. Some events demand that they be related to a friend or family members. Others are like a warm blanket that you just wrap yourself in and savor the memory within yourself.

The memories begin cascading into your consciousness. Grandmother is still bustling around her kitchen as she prepares Christmas dinner. I can still hear her directing family members where to place the various culinary creations on the tables. I can still hear her call for Grandpa to come and carve the turkey.

Christmas mornings that you orchestrated for your own children bring back delightful feelings. I remember taking great pains to hide the stash of gifts where they couldn’t be found by kids who possessed the drive to search of Indiana Jones. I remember staying up until two am before arranging the packages under the tree to make sure that one of the kids wouldn’t wander in while Christmas preparations were completed.  Inevitably the anxious kids would descend upon us by 6:00 am. Didn’t I just climb into bed? Coming to the eventual conclusion that I was not going to get any more sleep, the kids were ordered to stay in the bedroom while I stoked the fire, turned on the train that circle the tree and queued up Bing Crosby’s White Christmas before unleashing the ravenous hoard.

Our first Christmas in Island Park was a special time. Christmas Eve we walked over to the Little Church in the Pines for the service. After an enjoyable time, we made our way back as it snowed. One could almost hear the heavy flakes hit the pine boughs as the moon lit the snow-covered road. The calm and serenity we felt was amazing.

Whatever the memory, Christmas has become intertwined in our life experiences. What I feel when I think of Christmas is gratitude for the love and experiences that I have been given.

Merry Christmas from Sheri and I.

Coming Together Over Christmas in Island Park

When Sheri and I began dating about 14 years ago, one of the hurdles that we had to overcome was our religious differences. Sheri is Baptist and I am LDS. Initially I found it not wise to discuss religion. Sheri had felt socially excluded when interacting with many members of my church. We decided to concentrate on things that we could agree on and build a relationship of trust, understanding and love.

Last week we attended the annual Christmas Party at the LDS A-frame. The congregations of the LDS Church and the Little Church in the Pines and other community members gathered together to feast on prime rib and celebrate the Savior’s birth. Four years ago we attended this event for the first time. Sheri nearly required the paramedics to break out the heart paddles! Mormons and the church she attended were holding a joint event and enjoying each other’s company. This was unfathomable, apocalyptic stuff!

It was wonderful to visit with many of the Island Park residents that we have learned to love and appreciate. Joining together to acknowledge our communal bonds and a shared belief in the divinity of Jesus’ birth is an event that should be serve as a model other communities.

Perhaps some social conflicts could be overcome if religions were not used as private clubs where non-members hold no value. With all the destruction occurring throughout the world and here at home, there is a desperate need for some of the spirit that was exhibited in last week Island Park.

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to put on the event. Thanks for the great food, the great choir, the kids program and the wonderful company. This event is one more reason why Sheri and I love Island Park so much.

The Christmas Season

The holiday season is a time to express our appreciation for those we love. Expressed through travel, gifts, phone calls or cards, Christmas provides us the opportunity to reinforce the relationships that we hold most dear.

During my law enforcement years, the holidays were known as the “silly season”. There was a noticeable uptick in family disturbances and suicides. Those suffering hardship or alienation could have their wounds laid bare by a season devoted to love, friends, family and gifts. Despondency and alcohol would often lead to disastrous results.   

Christmas affords us the opportunity to look for those who may feel isolated and let them know that they are not alone. The up side of Island Park is that it’s a small community and difficult to go unnoticed. Take a moment to listen and observe. Someone is spending the holidays in isolation.

Offering a small gift, a holiday meal or even a kind work and a hug may be enough to help them get through this time of year. No one should feel invisible. They may present a hardened exterior but it is a defensive shield to avoid disappointment. Make an effort to crack that shell.

To those who may be the recipient of a Christmas kindness, accept the effort graciously. People don’t extend themselves for fear of rejection. Cut them a break and you will find that the effort will make the season better for all involved.

Christmas is showing love to each other as the Lord showed love for us. Make the most of the season.

Island Park Historical Society Holiday Festival

Last weekend the Island Park Historical Society hosted the annual Holiday Festival at the Mack’s Inn Playhouse. As Sheri and I entered the event, we were greeted by a very jolly Santa. The auditorium was ringed by booths offering local crafts including photographs, clothing, embroidery, quilting and jewelry.

On the stage at the back of the room, a beautiful Christmas tree was surrounded by gifts offered for silent or public auction. The interior of the room was filled with tables for Saturday lunch which was catered by Café Sabor.

The event was well attended. Prior to lunch, the Historical Society presented patriotic themed quilts to six members of the community who had served in the armed forces. It was an opportunity for the community to honor those who have given of themselves to protect the freedoms that we hold so dear.

The food was great and what we have come to expect from our newest member of the community. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge Chad Bauer for making the Playhouse available for the annual event.

The Island Park Museum would be a valuable asset. A location to display and tell the story of Island Park would be an important addition to the fabric of the community. The Island Park Historical Society is working hard to make the Island Park Museum a reality. Their success will depend upon the community and its support.

Yellowstone Country Safety * Christmas Wishes *

Merry Christmas

May you be surrounded by those you love during this holiday season.

Sincerely,

Mike and Sheri

Nativity in Island Park

There went out a proclamation throughout the land that all must go forth to the place of their birth and enroll in health care. Joseph and Mary, who was great with child, traveled to Island Park to meet with their insurance agent. Arriving on a cold and snowy night, they sought shelter at the local inns. The rooms were filled by vacationing snowmobilers.

They found a small cabin available in Mack’s Inn but the water pipes had frozen. They accepted the shelter and the kind proprietor brought them two five gallon water containers and assured them that the water would be running by morning.

During the night, a son was born to the loving couple without incident.

As Fish and Game watched over the elk herds, a star appeared in the heavens giving notice of the special birth.

Three professors from the University of Utah Medical Center were staying on Bill’s Island when they heard of the birth. Jumping on their snowmobiles, they hurried to the small cabin bearing gifts of Huggies, formula and Walmart gift certificates. They were attending to mother and child, as the Relief Society ladies arrived bearing food. The Little Church in the Pines choir quickly organized to serenade the young family.   

Residents responded to the birth with offers of assistance and provisions. The community proclaimed “Glory to God in the Highest and peace on earth, good will to men.”

Yellowstone Country Safety * Christmas Compassion *

During this final week before Christmas, look for someone who is struggling and surprise them with an act of kindness. Most hide their difficulties, so be attentive and compassionate

Yellowstone Country Safety * Christmas Party *

Thanks to everyone who put on the interdenominational Christmas Party at the A frame. The food was great and the company was even better.

It Came and Went!

It is a shame that Thanksgiving dinner ends so quickly. After so many hours of preparation, it should take longer to consume. The initiation of the feast is reminiscent of the starting gates at horse race; the gates open with the completion of the prayer and the eating begins. Fifteen minutes later, everyone is sitting back in their chair and loosening their belts.

Despite the retailers prematurely selling Christmas decor near back to school and Halloween items, for us Christmas season doesn’t start until after Thanksgiving.

Saturday found me stringing outdoor Christmas lights and making wreaths for our kids. Almost on cue, a winter storm blew in on Sunday and covered the lighted pines with the fresh accent of snow. We added “Duck the Halls” by the Duck Dynasty clan to our Christmas music catalog this year. The album is surprisingly good.

What better place to spend the Christmas season than in Island Park? My dad went to great lengths to decorate a single flocked tree. We are blessed to have a yard full of living examples of what he tried to achieve. It seems almost pointless to bring a real tree indoors when so many surround the cabin.

Christmas in Island Park is like living in a snow globe. The chance of a white Christmas is 100 percent.