December 2009 Archives

We had a wonderful cast of angels, stable animals, heavenly hosts, shepherds, people of Bethlehem, Roman guards and lead characters in the pageant. It was a special night for children, parents and grandparents. Special thanks to Jennifer Moran for her superb direction and to Jennifer Doerfler and Sidney Julich for their dedicated assistance. Thanks also to Stacy Arch for her help with the costumes, Laurie Peel for assisting with the north transept, to Liz Stroff for her Star Dancer choreography, Coco Davis and Emily Burgess for their musical expertise, Beth Williamson for coordinating the reception, Louis Wooten for helping with the lights, and many of the dads for helping set up and break down. Thanks to all of the Sunday School teachers for their supervision of the children waiting to "go on," and finally, thanks to all of our children who participated. This definitely is a team effort and a beautiful gift to Christ Church. --Anna Smith

In some pragmatic, quixotic moments I have found myself taking pity on hardcore romantics, so I guess I need a lot of self-pity.  But growing up post World World II, I was reminded in my family after the long trek to visit the real Santa in Richmond that I shouldn't expect all those things I told Santa I wanted, because there were children starving in China (hmmm - I'd heard that at dinnertime as I hid my peas under my mashed potatoes). Not to mind... I only went to Richmond because, (1) I had to, and (2) I had a crush on the Snow Queen who talked to you before you stepped over to Santa. Come to think of it, I still have a crush on the Snow Queen, even if she's 98 by now. I dreamed every year she and I would get married one day and live at the North Pole.  Hopeless romantics; we just refuse to grow up! The point is: I didn't know I was a hopeless romantic as a child, I just was.  Fifty-three years later, I still can be, and that "frightens the stuffings out of me," a phrase my Nana used and I never understood.