Christmas Viewing

It's not often that I endorse a movie because generally there aren't many that really strike me as worthy of sharing.

 

But it's Christmas time and there is a film we discovered a few years ago that continues to be a favorite for both Teresa and I. It's not a 'real' Christmas movie but some scenes celebrate the season and the intentions are to share feelings that come with thinking and acting like Christ.

 

We actually came upon it completely by accident when Teresa's sister accidentally left the DVD at a family Christmas party (we didn't realize where it came from for a while but have since confessed our sins to that sister).

 

Frankly (or Susanly), I was not impressed with the quality of the production when we first started viewing but became enthralled with the message and story so much that I soon forgot my quibblings.

 

 

The movie we all enjoy so much is called "the Ultimate Gift."

 

It's smarmy, predictable, cute, and somewhat disjointed…

 

BUT

 

There is a marvelous story about change and redemption and becoming something you aren't yet.

 

If you haven't seen it, rent, buy or borrow (but remember to return)
the DVD and then sit back and enjoy 117 minutes of feeling good about the world and the possibilities that are out there.

 

Merry Christmas to All.

 

A few other movies we like this time of year:

The Man in the Santa Claus Suit (TV movie with Fred Astaire)

White Christmas

A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott version)

The Bishop's Wife (Cary Grant)

It's a Wonderful Life (again, not a true Christmas movie but …)

Miracle on 34^th St. (Natalie Wood)

 
And here are a few we would never recommend because they just aren't Christmasy enough!!!

A Christmas Story (just wrong)

    Home Alone (all iterations)

    How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Jim Carrey ruins everything)

    The Santa Clause (and its follow-ups)

What is a Smile

So how come some of us can’t smile when required.

A happy day but the smile just isn't there.

I consider myself pretty happy but whenever our family gets together for pictures I take lots of grief because I am completely incapable of showing a smile on demand.

The usual forced smile look -- OK, not usual but still forced

My wife will poke me and my kids will chide me but no matter how hard I try, my smile in a picture looks pained, forced and totally unhappy. 

I really did enjoy Jamaica and especially with my sweetheart.

It’s gotten so bad that I don’t even try anymore.  So Teresa pinches me or makes fun of me, hoping there might be a small miracle – but nothing good ever happens.

I think my “smile on demand” gene is broken and I am doomed to failure. 

Sure hope the mortician doesn’t have trouble after I’m gone.  That could really be embarrassing.

Anyway, keep smiling (however you do that) and live happy, no matter what your face looks like. 

Pre-loss-of-smile days.

BTW, this is a picture of me when I was 19 so it is possible but I seem to have forgotten how.