"Family Photo" by Llola Lane

"Family Photo" by Llola Lane
(Inspired by the From our Family greeting card)

Papa checked the tripod to make sure it was steady. He wanted the family photo this year to be perfect. None of those "store bought" photo greeting cards from HIS family. He knew how to work a camera. Paying someone was just spending money foolishly. Looking through the camera he peered at his family.

Christmas is: by Lillian Morpork

Christmas is:  by Lillian Morpork


Christmas is: candles and candy canes, cookies and carols, Christmas cards and chocolates.
Christmas is: holly and happiness, high jinks and holidays, hopefulness and handicrafts.
Christmas is: red bows and red noses, reindeer and right poses, ribbons and red roses.

"Christmas Baby" by Llola Lane

"Christmas Baby" by Llola Lane

The snow is falling. It is that time of year again. When people talk of a baby boy born to a carpenter and his wife. It is a lonely time for me. I am alone and pregnant this year. The baby's father up and left me the moment he found out I was pregnant. So... I'm forced to live in a small one bedroom apartment at the end of town. I don't have much money. I live mostly on the charity of others. I am thankful for the food banks and my neighbors. I have a lot to be thankful for, but it is still not my favorite time of year. I long for the warmth of summer... the tulips of spring... the smell of falling leaves from autumn... anything but cold and snow. I pull my scarf up over my mouth and open the door to the outside world. A cold wind greets me as I go outside.