Ci et Ca Avec Belle

THE MOST WONDERFUL
TIME OF THE YEAR........
The lights, the decorations, the music, the happy faces, the shopping, the gift wrapping and the excitement means that it is Christmas.  The small child in all of us, regardless of the age, shares in the marvel of the season.  This time is so holy as we celebrate the birth of our Lord.  We retrace the travels of the three wise men looking for the baby Jesus, the angels singing songs of joy, the shepherds worshipping the babe, and the manger scene renew our feelings of joy and anticipation.  What a wonderful time of the year.  The special season when we think of others and try to do kindnesses for each other. There is a little bit of angel in most every soul which makes Christmas memories so sweet,and making it one of the happiest times of the year.  We love the Christmas season.  All the preparations, which some do not enjoy, make us happy and joyful.  This time is precious with family and friends and is the opportunity to share the love that we feel all year long.  We look forward to it from the end of the season until the next year when it begins all over again, and we are thankful!  
To see the world of this season through the eyes of a child would be such a blessing.  It is possible if you remember your world during that time.  Look at everything going on and be happy and optimistic that the children will be able to have the happiness that you had in your childhood.  It would be a blessing if all our dear little ones would have the happiest of time for their memories to recall as they are grown.
Some changes have come to Christmas every year, but the old loved customs remain.  We love the music with angelic voices sharing the news of the birth of the Christ Child, the plays at school and church with dear little ones taking each role and learning to love the story that we all know so well. These customs are well remembered by all regardless of age and form the foundation for the future of our little ones and memories for those older.  
These are the things we pray that the years may leave untarnished and untouched by dust and blight...As the hurrying years past so quickly may the memories live on and bless all hearts on Christmas day.
We pray that your Christmas will be filled with the joys and happiness with your dear loved ones and friends and memories that will remain with you forever.  Merry Christmas to you from us!
 
LITTLE THIS AND THAT.....
..........It took a concern from a dear friend to give us a visit with our classmate, Hubert Dugas.  He received the email send when our computer was hacked, asking for money since hubby, Frank, who supposedly was stranded overseas and money and ID was stolen.  He thought it was a bogus message, but wanted to make sure that all was ok.  We really appreciated his concern and at least it gave us an opportunity to visit.  Hubert said that he was recovering from a heart attack due to Agent Orange which he had suffered while in combat. He now has received a defib implant to hopefully prevent future problems.  We had not known of his health issues and were happy to hear that he was improving.  He may live out-of-state, but his heart is always in  Rayne.  Thanks Hubert for the offer, and we are happy that we got some recent news of you.  Please know that your many friends here are thinking of you and keeping you in their prayers.  Stay well!!
..........Our congratulations to the Rayne High School band for their fine showing in the recent band competition.  Also, to the Mire school band for their great work in representing town and state at Disneyworld.  These outstanding band members are working hard to grow and develop this important and fun program. We hope that the community will support them in any way needed, and especially during their fund raising activities.  Keep up the good work band members along with the leadership and expertise of the your talented band directors.
..........A great honor was recently given to Nick Arnaud, a sophomore at Rayne High School, when he was selected to be the second chair of the top All State Band.  He has been the only student to represent Acadia Parish in the past two years as a member of this prestigious group.  This is a wonderful achievement for this talented young man and a great opportunity to be part of this All-State experience.  Congratulations to Nick as well as his talented RHS band director, Adrian Alba.  We are very proud of this honor and look forward to him continuing to achieve even more honors in the future.
..........We just have to congratulate two very special people for a very special honor when they recently were named as Grand Parade Marshals for the International Rice Festival.  Judges John and M’Elise Trahan were given this honor for the outstanding work they both have done for the community as well in their professional careers.  We have been privileged to know them for most of their lives and it is with much happiness that we see that they were recognized for their work, their love of community, interest in promoting programs and activities to benefit the citizens of their loved area.  We are very, very proud of them and are happy that they received the recognition and honor so well deserved.  
..........Adding to our pride is that some important things are being done that deserve the support and assistance of all of us in the community. Our town has always been known for their compassion for others and their untiring efforts to assist anyone in need.  Now, there are some important things being done that need our support and assistance.  Some of these worthwhile events are:
.....There are programs being sponsored by our vital American Legion group to assist them in fund raising for the organization.  These dear vets were there for us when we needed them, in time of war, and here in the community when they came home to provide programs that assisted us all.  We cannot forget them and we need to support the Legion in anyway that will help them. It is important that we reinforce the fact that we appreciate all that they did and are doing for us!  We love this group and are hoping that they will get the help they need from us all.  Keep up the great work Legionnaires and know you are so appreciated!
........The City’s Veterans’ Memorial Park has been dedicated and now is in the process of  getting the memorial bricks for our family members who served in the military to place in the park.  This is such a worthwhile program and will have a memory for all who served for all ages.  If you have not purchased a brick for your loved one, don’t neglect to do it.  These memorial engraved bricks will be there in the lovely park setting for all to see and remember.  Get your brick at City Hall!  Your loved ones who served our nation deserve to be immortally remembered.  They certainly deserve this honor and the respect of all who visit this hallowed park.
......There are also bricks being sold at Rayne Catholic Elementary in memory of long time coach and supporter, the late Everett Hildreth. The bricks are embossed with his name and will be included in the building of the new RCE gymnasium on the school grounds.  The new gym will be in memory of Coach Everett.  This was a talented and compassionate man that gave much to the youngsters at the school and in the community. This activity will honor Coach Everett who gave much through talent, information, skill building and most of all,  by love and by example!  Please call the school for details and/or purchase of the brick!  He so deserves to have this honor and the school will appreciate a new gym!  
..........Special congratulations to Principal Wendall Prudhomme who has been named Outstanding Principal of Acadia Parish.  This is a great and well deserved honor!  We are proud of the work that he is doing at the high school and especially for the many good things we see happening there.  He has worked to ensure that the school maintains a student body, faculty  and staff that are committed to educational growth and progress.  Add to that some outstanding athletics, band, and organizations in the school to provide well rounded student education and growth.  Thank you Principal Prudomme for all that you are doing to maintain the reputation of the school which we and most others in Rayne attended and love.

HOLIDAY RAMBLINGS....
Growing up here in our beloved little town, we were very fortunate to have such wonderful memories of our Christmas times in the past.  We see the things that are available to make the season happy and bright that were not here for us in those years long ago.  Yet, it was a happy time and we were blessed to have dear loved family and many friends to make it a very special time in our lives and in our memories forever.
There were no large toy stores or catalogs to see things that were not here.  But, it didn’t matter!  We had stores here that had the few things that we wanted and that Santa could bring us and there was always joy and excitement in our hearts.  Having four children in the family meant that we could not have many gifts under the tree.  After all, it was depression and post depression time and money was scarce for everyone.  We made our Santa lists with dreams rather than reality.  For us, a doll was always on our list.  Then doll clothes (made by our grandmother), a Christmas dress for us (again thanks to our Grandmother) for church and Christmas programs. For our brothers there were airplanes, baseballs/bats, skates and footballs and/or baseballs. These varied by age and cost.  To get more than one or two gifts was a special Christmas.  There was always cookies, cakes, some candy all home made for our stockings with an apple or orange and a peppermint stick.  It was always a wonderful time and we were very happy with “Santa” for his gifts.  Our friends usually got the same things under their trees.  It was such a happy and exciting time for all of us.  The memories of those times are just as real as when they occurred and being older, we marvel at what the grownups did for us with little and or no money.  
The caroling with friends and sharing refreshments at the houses that were serenaded were fun and being with the adults made us children feel as though we were truly growing up and helped to make us all closer to one another.  The musical programs at the churches were always well attended and the sweet voices of the children were joined with the beautiful and talented older singers was always a highlight of the season.  Remember, there was no television, only radios with not many stations or a variety of programs.  Our community, both churches and schools, provided the Christmas programs needed for the season.  A highlight of the Christmas season at many churches was the visit from Santa and handing out a sucker or peppermint stick to each of the children.  Such excitement and happiness.
The religious community had such beautiful programs on Christmas eve and Christmas day.  Midnight mass was attended by most.  It was the highlight of Christmas eve and something that all ages enjoyed.  Many would go home and have their Christmas tree celebration at home.  Although many would go home and wait until morning to have the tree present openings.  We always waited until the next morning which meant that we did not even sleep since it was the anticipation of presents under the tree that “visions of sugar plums danced in our heads”.  Who could sleep?
Our Christmas day meal was always something!  The wonderful food, the fellowship of family who gathered to share in the event was exciting.  Our grandmother made homemade rolls and it was a race by the adults to determine who could eat the most during the meal.  Some of the adults really could do this feat and we children would watch with amazement at the number eaten along with their big plates of food.  After dessert, while coffee was served, the visiting began with updates on family news and at some point we children were excused to go and play with our toys.  
As the day grew late, some family napped in their chairs while others continued visiting until the sun began to go down and it was time for all to go home.  It was the end of another great Christmas with special memories to be stored with us all until next year when knowing that new ones would be happening again.  Us children went to bed early being very tired from the fun of Christmas eve and Christmas day. It was a good tired and we dozed off into slumberland with happy thoughts and happy dreams.
And that is the way it was... or at least, the way we remember it!  Hopefully, you have many, many memories of your own to share with your dear little ones too.
 
SPECIAL THOUGHTS OF
SPECIAL FRIENDS....
......It is with much sorrow that we found out that one of our dearest friends had suffered a bad fall recently.  Our dear Dot Jennings fell in her house and has broken a shoulder which is not only uncomfortable to move with but is in constant pain requiring her limit her movement in the house.  Dot always does so much for others, including me, and it is difficult for her to stay out of her kitchen cooking and/or baking and sharing with others.  We know that Thanksgiving will be different for her not to be preparing a delicious dinner.  Just know Dot that we and all of your friends are thinking of you and praying that the break will heal soon and you can get back to doing what you do best....helping others!  We love you and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers that you be blessed now and always.  Stay put and heal!!
......We appreciate receiving a very special book written by a very special young lady.  Dr. Kathryn Elliott has compiled some compelling letters and has put them in her newest book, “Hearts Entwined..The Love Letters of Therapist-Soulmates”.  It contains some 130 love letters written with her late husband, when they were over 2,000 miles apart for six months.  Dr. James Elliott and Dr. Kathryn Elliott, met at a professional retreat and in just 10 days they both knew that they were meant for each other.  It is a touching book filled with love and mutual admiration.  It is truly a journey of romance through their personal letters.  It will take you on their journey filled with not only love, but various avenues to bring the two souls even closer.  Her late husband , Dr. James,  was the originator of Anthetic Therapy and Dr. Kathryn is now Director of the Anthetic Psychology Center in Lafayette.  They both spent 22 years in their profession and giving presentations and publications on their therapy theory and work.  Thanks for this great book which we enjoyed and even re-read some parts that are meaningful to us.
 
In  Closing.....
“What shall I wish you for Christmas, What is the thing you desire?
 Is it health, wealth, or happiness, Or the warmth of a Christmas fire?
 So much I would wish you for Christmas, Yet only my greetings I send,
 For all that I have to offer Is the sincere heart of a friend.”   
Olive Miller
 
We pray for you on this Christmas and on this great New Year.  We thank you for being our dear friends throughout the years and I love and appreciate you more than you will ever know. It is because of you that we write this “Avec” and we so love hearing from you and the comments that you share with us.  This writing is my connection with our dear mom who loved writing and loved you all also.  You and this paper are my link with the past and with the future and I thank you.
Have a Merry Christmas!  Have a wonderful New Year that we pray will hold love, health, family, friends and some fun too!
 
Until next time................................Adios;
Au Revoir; Auf Wiedersehen