Christmas Letter -2011

Dear ,

     It’s that time again.  Merry Christmas!  And may this Christmas be your very best so far.  As the year comes to a close it is time for me to think about and express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the richness and abundance of His blessings to me.  One of my most cherished blessings is my posterity.  YOU are a part of that.  You, my great-grandchild are a treasure.  You are a member of a wonderful group now numbering 93, ages 25 years through just a few months.

     This year your parents are receiving a special gift from me and I want you to know why they are receiving it.  When I was just a little girl I lived in Salt Lake City.  My older sister, Lois, would walk me down to the library and we would check out books.  When I was a little older I went by myself.  The book, Little Black Sambo, was the first book I ever remember reading to myself.  I don’t know how old I was, but I always did very well in school, so I know I was young.  I loved that book and read it many times.  Then when I was older I would tell the story to my own children.  Every one of your grandparents, that is one of my children, will remember hearing me tell that story.  I had it memorized so I didn’t even have to read it to them.  I have told it and read it to many of you, too.  When you come to see me next time ask me to read it to you again, if you’d like.

     I want to share another story with you about something I did and that Kent, Wayne, and Brenda did, too.  Kent was probably seven, Wayne and his cousin Doug were going on six, and Brenda would have been 4 and a half.  The three boys got hats, cap guns, and little vests for Christmas that year.  I knew this song: I Didn’t Know the Gun was Loaded.  I got it in my head that the 4 kids could perform it at our big Bateman Family Christmas Party; since we would have the kids perform at the party.  I borrowed the little skirt, vest, and hat for Brenda from Grandpa Bateman’s sister, Joy.  The boys sang the verses, and Brenda would sing the chorus sweetly as she batted her eyes. On the last chorus she would try to gruff up her voice so she was singing rough and harsher.  The night of the family party they were so charming, they became an overnight sensation with the adult family members clamoring for them to perform in their venues, usually ward parties.  They performed several more times and were a marvelous hit each time.  I’ll bet you didn’t know I was a show business premotor! On the back of this letter you will find the song!

     This Christmas there are some gifts that you can give to me.  Mend a quarrel, seek out a friend, write a letter, give a soft answer, keep a promise, find the time, forgive an enemy, listen, apologize, be kind, be gentle, laugh, then laugh some more, be glad, gladden someone else’s heart, speak love.  Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.  “Fill each unforgiving moment with sixty seconds worth of distance run…” (From IF, by Rudyard Kipling)

     Always remember who you are-a son or daughter of God-and conduct your life in accordance with that immeasurable blessing.  You may never know when or if you are making a memory for someone.  Live so the memories bring positive thoughts.  I love you so much, my daily prayers include you.  May the Miracle of His Birth light your path now and throughout the coming year. 

Love, Great Grandma Bateman

 

Oh, Miss Ellie was her name

Through the west she won her fame

Being handy with a gun,

But she drove the men insane

Cause she’d whip out her pistol

And shoot most any guy

And sing out this alibi…

CHORUS:

I didn’t know the gun was loaded

And I’m so sorry my friend

I didn’t know the gun was loaded

And I’ll never, never do it again!

Oh, one night she had a date

With a wrestling heavy weight

And he tried a brand new hold

She did not appreciate

So she whipped out her pistol

And shot him in the knee

Then quickly she sang this plea…

CHORUS:

 

Oh, one night she made a slip

Shot the sheriff in the hip

So the law took a hand

And made Ellie take the stand

But she pled, (spoken)

Your honor, I know you’ll turn me loose

When you hear my one excuse…

CHORUS:

Oh the jury all agreed that

Miss Ellie should be freed

But the sheriff’s jealous wife

Was indignant, yes indeed.

So she borrowed a shotgun

And shot this village belle

Then sang as Miss Ellie fell…

CHORUS: