Author: Carmen McKnight (Page 49 of 70)

December 20 

In 1999 during Christmas time, Chet and I visited Romania and during Christmas Eve we joined our old friends, Ica, among them and went caroling. While walking in the cold night from apartment building to apartment building, laughing and having a good time a car full of teenage boys with undeveloped brain functions, stopped in front of us throwing at us lit up mini fireworks that would’ve caused minimal damage but it would’ve been just very unpleasant. Out of reflex, we tried to jump out of the way, only to see the fireworks bounce off the closed window and back inside their car creating panic among them. Embarrassed they drove away with a bruised ego while our group laughed until our bellies hurt.

Here’s one of the carols we sang that night:)

https://youtu.be/ofT0TjzaQcg

In iarna din 1999 am vizitat familia in Romania si de ajunul Craciunului ne-am alaturat unui grup de prieteni, Ica, printre ei, si am mers cu colinda. Pe strada, in drumul nostru catre o noua familie un grup de baieti adolescenti  au oprit masina in fata noastra si au aruncat petarde catre noi, dar au uitat sa deschida geamul. Ce a urmat a fost de mare haz si pina la urma au plecat rusinati. Colinda de sus a fost una din cele cintate. 

As I’m writing this to you, I found out from my family in Europe of another hate attempt.  A truck that drove into a crowd at a Christmas farmer’s market in Berlin; nine dead and over 50 injured. My family that lives there are safe, thank God. The driver is on the run. I really don’t like this type of news, yet we live in a world full of hatred. I was out to few stores today and around at least three german mothers with their children speaking in their language while shopping. That’s unusual. (The unusual part is the amount of german language I heard today, not the mothers, their children or the fact that they spoke a different language. I happen to know a little german so it was very pleasant to listen to them speak).

Have a good day.

December 19

Six days until CHRISTMAS:)

This Carol, in Romanian, is done by one of my cousin’s daughter:) The same cousin, Simona, that helped translate Chet’s letters back in 1993 when we courted long distance. New generation, new hope:)

December 18

We’re one week away from Christmas! For those of us that made it another year, thank you, God! For those we lost, we’ll never forget you. May your week building up to Christmas be full of hope, health, faith, and joy:)

December 17

December 16

Trapping ourselves in the believe that you don’t need others in your life is nonsense. You’ll always need at least one person to build you up when you’re down and to laugh with.

December 15

We’re halfway there:)

December 14

Why December is not so bad series.

December 13

101.0 Fever. Today I’ll rest.

December 12- (Why December is not so bad)

No matter the accent, the culture and the background we’re all connected by our humanity:)