Another Christmas Here

Last year I came home to family in Woodbine after drifting around the country for many years. I decided to day here come what may.
What people say about it being hard finding full-time work in the county is the truth. I worked like a son of a buck all summer but lately I’m watching game shows during a working man’s hours.
My sister, who surprised us with a new baby last Christmas, found herself in a complication, so myself and my half-sister are minding the little one most of the time.
I am seeing Christmas again like a little child through her eyes. I read more books this year than ever before even if they are children’s tales of three pigs and a howling wolf.
I began playing the saxophone again in the praise band down at the full-time Gospel church. IT’s a change for me because I’m used to playing Charlie Bird Parker and John Coltrane instead of Away in the Manger and The Three Kings. The music director told me to dial back my playing abit for the church house.
So I’m counting up my blessings. I have a roof over my head, I have enough to eat for now, and I’ve stopped a lot of my former ways that weren’t doing me any good. I don’t have cable, but I’m pleased to read a newspaper and I get free cheese from the Agriculture Department.
For the little child, I opened a bank account and put just a bit of pocket change in the account, but it’s a start for the future, even if it amount only to a pair of shiny shoes.
Nobody wants to hear bellyaching, so I make the best of my situation. Some folks sent up box of navel oranges from Florida and I’m enjoying them one by one hoping they last until Judgement Day.
I wish everyone a happy CHristmas and good luck in 2016. Keep your head up, folks, and look for the good things. When times get hard and work gets slow you must look up to heaven.
If you look for the bad, it will come running down the street to greet with open arms and an open paper sack for your money.
Porter writes from Woodbine.