By Ralphine Major

It is a favorite among the Christmas songs—”The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”  It’s true.  The words that Andy Williams made so popular at Christmas time carry so much meaning.  Folks seem friendlier, days seem brighter, and moods seem lighter.  Joy abounds all around us.

2017 brought to us an eventful year which started out with readings and book signings on a snowy day last winter at Tate’s School of Discovery, speaking at the Family Literacy Night in Kingsport in the spring, a second television interview in Johnson City, readings and book signings at McDonald Elementary School in Greene County, and meetings with our publisher and illustrator.  We received our registered trademark from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office in Washington, D.C. for the character and its name!  We made new friends at a ranch while having photos made for our latest book.  Look for “Annie” in our newest book, “Piddle Diddle, the Widdle Penguin, and the Texas Longhorns.”  This month we appeared on CW20 in an interview with Alan Williams at the WVLT Studio and later that day gave a presentation of our books and shared our story at the Ossoli Circle Club House on Kingston Pike where we were invited by Wayne’s seventh grade English teacher.  We are happy to have our book in the Lone Star Literary Life which reaches thousands of subscribers and Facebook followers all across the State of Texas!  This year has been so much fun, and we have been so blessed.

In a year that has been filled with so much chaos, it is a welcome sight to see the signs of Christmas.  Our nation has seen her share of storms and wildfires, as well as violence and protests.  The VOL nation has seen their football team fall to a historic low followed by the chaos of replacing its leaders.  What a year!  In this season of pine cones and peppermint sticks, jingle bells and Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick, there is so much more to Christmas.  Chaos turns to calm as we experience “Christmas.”  Traffic slows, shoppers wrap up their search for gifts, and hectic days come to a halt.  The world, it seems, nearly stops on Christmas Day as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child who brought hope to a hopeless world.  During this holy season, may you experience Christmas in all of its quietness and beauty; may you find the joy in every day as if it were Christmas; and may the prayers for peace, love, and joy fill our world and your heart.  Christmas Blessings to you and yours!