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I thank the good Lord for this beautiful time of year when we independently and collectively celebrate Christmas and everything it – no, He represents.

Though some may challenge the “Word” or argue that it isn’t what clergy claims it to be, we, as believers, know what we know. We know that miraculous things have happened in our lives that we couldn’t explain, that prayers sent “up” on behalf of our family, friends or others we care about were answered and peace of mind and restoration of body came about, that our prayers were not only heard but really listened to. We can plan now to live better, healthier and more thoughtfully of others less fortunate in the New Year 2023 and I hope I, for one, will practice what I preach!

Even in the midst of so much turmoil in the world today, life is beautiful, forgiveness is precious, healings take place from the confines of a hospital bed to sudden changes that enable good men and women to stand up for the first time in 46 days to walk to the bathroom or down the hospital corridor and that CT scans and MRIs mysteriously show no signs of whatever was seen on the initial scans when they were admitted over a month earlier.

Sometimes when widows and widowers or grieving parents who have lost a child – no matter how old they were – are overtaken by grief and the loss of the voice they loved to hear, the hand they tightly held, the lips they loved to kiss, are now forever gone, something will happen to bring us back to the joy we felt and the reality that we have to accept our life without them comfort is restored again and again. Personally, I believe it’s God’s Angels of Mercy that give us that comfort.

In last week’s Gig Line, I – like a gazillion others in this world – have felt the void in my life for my husband that I miss terribly. Yesterday I was talking with my son Bill about it, and he said something that lifted my spirits and made me stop whining. He said, “Mom, I know you miss him, I miss him too … a lot, and I don’t know what it’s like to lose your spouse because they died … but whenever I think of Dad, I don’t cry … I smile … because thinking of him and all the time we were all together makes me happy.”

Bill made me stop and think about how he and our daughter, Bonnie, must feel to see me mourn his loss often, though I don’t mean to. He’s right, I should celebrate his life and every precious year, month, week, day and minute we spent together. So, I plan to attend the Grief Share class Peggy Snead will teach again, starting January 11 and I will pray God will help me to allow myself to let go as best I can. God is good and He sees our heart – I hope He will use me in the New Year to help other people, more veterans, and their loved ones. If you missed last week’s column, please call me and I’ll fill you in on the details to register (for the free 13-week class) and you can sit by me!

A few days ago, there was a show on Fox Nation about Jesus and where, how and why He did some of the things He did. Pete Hegseth, a Fox News contributor, hosted a special entitled, The Life of Jesus – Part 1, God With Us and he was accompanied by his Pastor Chris, who traveled from Bethlehem describing Jesus’ ministry. I had heard the reference “fishers of men” throughout my life, but this program educated me further as to the love Jesus had for the water and fishermen and about the inspiration they all drew from each other. It detailed much of Jesus’ teachings close to, in and on the water. Pastor Chris explained how Jesus and the fishermen were drawn to each other and how Jesus’ ministry grew through His relationship with them and the miracles He performed. The explanation of Biblical occurrences and references in addition to the videography of the beautiful countryside where He preached to the masses made sense and helped me realize why Jesus often preached the Word from where He did.

My son, being a commercial fisherman, has said more than once that he felt closer to God being “on the water” than at any other time. I remember asking him why and he said that when steaming east from his dock in Wanchese in the early morning hours watching the sun rise over the ocean, they know and can feel He’s there.

Spending time together, loving the sights and sounds of Christmas, enjoying the beautiful decorations of the season but keeping the “reason for the season” at the forefront – the miraculous conception and birth of our Lord and Savior deserve priority above the rest.

Thanks be to all who keep us safe, who care for us when we’re sick or hurt, who lift our needs and hurts up to Heaven, who feed the hungry, who offer shelter or clothing to those in need, who pray with and for us at church, at home or in the parking lot at the drugstore in Manteo – God and humanity gives us hope; hope to be the best we can be, pray harder for a nation that stands above the rest no matter what is dished out to us – we are Americans and no matter what, we are a grateful nation for our blessings and neighbors loving neighbors across our land.

2023 is just around the corner – thank the Lord we were brought into this world to love life and each other – let’s pray for solid political decisions forthcoming across the board and on both sides. If you want to determine your potential eligibility for a service-connected V.A. disability compensation claim, please contact our Dare County veteran service officer Patty O’Sullivan on her work cell at 252-473-7749 so she can help you. She’s a very caring liaison between our veterans and the V.A. and the only official in our county, so please take the time to call her. If you’re a veteran who resides permanently or owns property in Dare County and you’d like to acquire your free Dare County Veteran Discount Card to be utilized in over 100 businesses from Hatteras Village to Corolla, please call my cell at 252-202-2058. Either Patty or I can issue your card thanks to the generous and grateful business owners, who positively help you save lots of money!

I thank the Lord for all of you every single day and I wish you and your beautiful family a very Merry Christmas! Call my cell if you have a question or if you know of a veteran who could use some help, email me at giglineheroes@aol.com and check out my website: www.giglineheroes.com.

Until next time, you know the drill: be healthy, safe and happy! God bless you and remember that I love you, whether I know you or not. Thank you, Charlie and Sally and Bernie, too. Take care and stay tuned!

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