25C

89 Bowes Street. Parry Sound, Ontario 746-4664443618

This year when Christmas boughs are drapedAnd cards around the doorway tapedAnd cookies baked, and green wreaths hungAnd carols in the crisp night sungThis Christmas cannot be as fairIn homes where there’s an empty chair.

Dear God in Heaven, bless with peaceThose whose Christmas joy has ceasedFor those who grieve and cannot bearThe stillness of that empty chair.

Instill in them a second sightTo see in death a lasting lightWhich reassures that those who’ve diedNow kneel before the manger sideTo celebrate the blessed birthMore grandly than we can on earth.

And may those visions of your careBring hope enough to fill that chairSo Christmas carols may be sungAnd Christmas bells may still be rungAnd Christmas peace replace all fearsAnd Christmas joy be felt through tears.

TheEmpty Chair

from the Mayor, Council & Staff of the

Town of Parry Sound

443721

TOWN OFFICE HOLIDAY HOURS December 24th 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon (closed 12 - 4:30 pm)December 29th & 30th 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 pmDecember 31st 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon (closed 12 - 4:30 pm)

CLOSED ALL DAY: December 25th, 26th 2008, and January 1st, 2009

Friday, December 12, 2008 THE PARRY SOUND BEACON★STAR CHRISTMAS GREETINGS SPECIAL

I have seen a child whose feelings are hurt, or who may be struggling with the loss of a family member. Sometimes their pain is short-lived – the fight they had with a friend ends during the next recess – and some-times it stays hidden for months and even years.

For those children, I so often wanted to hug and assure them they’re loved, but found it difficult to, so … I held them in my prayers, even years after they left my class-room.

When I heard of the prayer shawl, I wished to have one in my class-room. I imagined it hanging over the back of the rocking chair that sits in the corner of the classroom, waiting for any child that needed a hug, a hug that wouldn’t end until they wanted it to. So, when the day came that Mrs. Armstrong passed me a gift bag and I reached in to feel something warm and fuzzy, I knew what it was.

That prayer shawl now rests on the back of that rock-ing chair in my classroom and this is what some of the children who have worn it have to say about receiving this gift:

“When I first wore it, I felt like I was being hugged.”

“Thanks for making the prayer shawl for the class. I like it because when I am not feeling good, I put it on and it makes me feel better. I have worn it when I am feeling sad and alone.”

“Thank you for the prayer shawl. I love the shawl, it helps me get through family problems.”

“Thank you for the prayer shawl. It is lovely! I wore it when I got into a fight with my friend. It makes me feel happy and makes me feel joyful.”

“I like it because it is thoughtful of you to make it. I wear it when I need a hug or when I am not feeling well. It makes me feel loved and important.”

“I wore it because I really needed some hugs.”

“I like the prayer shawl because it makes me feel like someone is praying for me.”

“I like to wear the prayer shawl because it reminds me of my cousin that has brain cancer and is going to die soon. They have tried everything, even chemotherapy, and it makes me think that he’ll die in peace or have a miracle and live because he is only 17.”

“It makes me feel happy and safe!”

“Thank you for the prayer shawl, I could feel the blessing when I wore it!”

“Thank you Mrs. Armstrong. I love the shawl. Are you married to the first man to walk on the moon?”

To all the children that I have ever taught, to all those that I ever will, and to my very own, may you know that you will forever be held in my heart and my prayers. The prayer shawl will always hang on that rocking chair waiting for anyone who needs to know they are not alone.

Thank you so very much, Mrs. Armstrong, for giv-ing of your time to make us all the shawl. The love and prayers that created that shawl have touched all those who have worn it and, hopefully, reminded us all that our small acts of kindness are far-reaching. May we all give those important gifts, the kind that come unwrapped, to each other every day.

Perhaps everyone should have access to a prayer shawl, to remind us that someone loves and cares for us, and our angels aren’t too far away … they show up through the kindness of others.

Blessings to everyone this holiday season, and thank you to all who have blessed my life so.

*****(Paige McWhirter is a Grade 4 teacher at St. Peter’s

Catholic School in Parry Sound.)

“Thanks for making the prayer shawl

for the class. I like it because when I am not feeling

good, I put it on and it makes me feel

better. I have worn it when I am feeling

sad and alone.”

“I like to wear the prayer shawl because it reminds me of my cousin that has brain cancer and is going to die soon ... it makes

me think that he’ll die in peace or have a miracle and live because he is only 17.”

MacTier Lions Club member Jacco Spykerman and his son Coby take part in the annual MacTier Santa Claus parade on Dec. 6.

Lion on paradeJack Tynan/ Beacon Star