To all;

Although I'm Jewish, I fully respect your Christian, or other, beliefs and traditions. And really, the spirit of Christmas -- that is, love, charity, and good will towards our fellow human beings, should be with us all. And may the times to come, as difficult as they may be, bring us and our loved ones even closer together.

And as Dickens' Tiny Tim closed,

"God bless us, everyone."

-- eve (123@4567.com), December 25, 1999

Answers

Thank you Eve. And may Christmas be in all our hearts for the year. I hope that next year at this time we will all be here regaling each other with stories of "how we made it through". God Bless us all and whether Jewish, Christian or?...God is like a grandfather...you can't have too many of them.

Taz

-- Taz (Tassi123@aol.com), December 25, 1999.

To all,

I have to add to the above that I realize that many will be separated from some our loved ones through ways beyond our control. This includes myself. My heart goes out to you all, and my message still goes, though -- that we will still somehow all be as close or even closer in spirit.

-- eve (123@4567.com), December 25, 1999.

Eve,

I've seen you exude love, charity and goodwill. Happy Holidays!

-- Downstreamer (downstream@bigfoot.com), December 25, 1999.

Eve, I think your most recent comment about being close in spirit is important. The parallels in our struggles pre-y2k will carry into post as well. If we are not able to chat, then still remember we are continuing in this co-pilgrimage, and no matter how horrible and alone some might feel in the darkest moment, we will all stand together in spirit and undoubtably continue to share some of the same experiences. Keep all in prayer, as I surely will.

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 25, 1999.

Hokie:

Amen to that.

-- (normally@ease.notnow), December 25, 1999.

Where's King of Spain when he's needed?

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), December 25, 1999.

The "Spirit" of kindness and humanity *can* cross all belief systems.

Lest we forget "The Teacher" was born Jewish.

;-D

Blessings... for all faiths of the season.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 25, 1999.

How nice! I spent a Christmas Eve alone, in college, with no one but a Jewish friend to keep me company, and bolster my spirits. I've never forgotten her gift of her love and concern that night, over 20 years ago! Your kind action reminds me of her -I've certainly never, ever forgotten it! t.

-- t. (thankfulone@christian.net), December 25, 1999.

Dear Eve, I am Southern, say Ya'll and Ain't, but I Love to Mimic your culture with Oy, Yey, etc.! Not to make fun, but because those words, to me, convey something really dramatic! I love movies with Jewish people. I don't know why! I don't understand your Religion, never took the time to try, just know the Jewish culture makes me feel comforted. Go figure?! I just prayed for the best for you.

-- Southern Redneck (whatmakesus@tick.com), December 25, 1999.

Taz, Downstreamer, Hokie, Diane, t, Ladylogic, Southern Redneck;

Thank you so much for your kind and insightful comments. I'm really very lucky to have found a group like you and almost all the other wonderful people I've corresponded with here.

Taz,

I appreciate your uplifting message. Please stick around us as long as you can.

Downstreamer,

What a guy -- you're too kind. I can't prove it, but I'm sure I blushed when I read your post.

Hokie,

Your statement was moving and insightful. Thanks for sharing it.

Diane,

I'm with you in your reply. And I'd add the non-theists too. By the way, fantastic job on the forum!

t;

Wow! It really touched me to be compared with someone who had affected you in this way.

Ladylogic;

Your comments are well taken. As I mentioned above, the non-theists are included. Actually, my belief in God is not biblically-based; it's very abstract. My Judaism is thus non-traditional in a sense, but still very real to me. And "a lotta love" right back atcha.

Southern Redneck;

I appreciate in a special way posts like yours -- a culture that in many ways is probably far removed from mine.

-- eve (123@4567.com), December 26, 1999.

eve,

I'm Sicilian and the Great Romance of my life was with a Jewish gal....

-- panjandrum (panjandrum@samfoote.net), December 26, 1999.