A Christmas Gift to You I have a list of folks I know, all written in a book. And every year at Christmas time, I go and take a look. That is when I realize that these names are a part, Not of the book they're written in, but of my very heart. For each name stands for someone who has crossed my path sometime, And in that meeting they become the rhythm of the rhyme. And while it sounds fantastic for me to make this claim, I really feel that I am composed of each remembered name. For while you may not be aware of any special link, You have shared my life more than you think. For once you meet somebody, the years cannot erase The memory of a pleasant word or of a friendly face. So never think my Christmas card is just a mere routine Of names upon a Christmas list, forgotten in between. For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you, It's because you're on the list of folks that I'm indebted to. For you are part of the total of all the folks I've met; And you happen to be one of those I prefer not to forget. And whether I have known you for many years or few, In some way you have a part in shaping things I do. Every year when Christmas comes I realize anew, That the biggest gift that life can give is meeting folks like you. -- Author Unknown ------------------------------------------------------------------ Hope everyone's Christmas was a wonderful one. May everyone's New Year be filled with peace, joy, health, happiness, prosperity and the finding of some "ellusive" relative's information, And may the new year bring laughter every day, and to all a good night... Judith SANDAGE FULLMER MURPHY (aka Judy M.) P.S. -- For my genealogy searching friends: I just got this ad and ya'll might be interested in this 7 days "freebie". I am putting their ad here -- I am not in anyway affiliated with them, etc. (Below is ad from Ancestry.com ====================================================== Like you, we look forward to spending time with family and friends. So, we are going home and leaving the shop unlocked. The Library is standing open -- more than 225 databases -- Marriage & Land Records, Vital & Census records, PERSI, SSDI, the WorldTree, Historical Maps, Histories, Reference Books, How-to Guides -- the largest collection of searchable genealogy databases on the entire Internet -- FREE for 7 days. So, come on in. Be our guest. Drop by. Browse around. Search and download. Take advantage of all the resources, even those usually reserved to paying members. FREE. That new computer that Santa brought? Why not hook right up -- surf a little ANCESTRY family history -- FREE. To take advantage of this FREE opportunity, simply come to http://www.ancestry.com before the New Year. Click on FREE MEMBERSHIP. Complete the simple form. Get your instant User ID and Password. Then browse, search, research, study and hunt to your heart's content. 7 days FREE. Have a Happy Holiday Your friends at Ancestry. (end of their ad I clipped)