The Mississippi State Fire Academy (MSFA) is celebrating 50 years of training firefighters and saving lives and property. To celebrate this milestone, a small gathering of current and former MSFA staff and instructors along with members of the fire service will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the MSFA Auditorium at 1:00 p.m. MSFA is located just outside the capital City of Jackson in Rankin County, Mississippi, on one hundred-twelve acres. MSFA began in 1974 with James S. Hart Jr. as the Executive Director traveling the state and operating out of his pickup truck. In March 1975, a groundbreaking ceremony was held where the Administration Building now stands. Firefighters from all over the state come to MSFA for training. Volunteer firefighters and corporate employees also receive training here. Kelly Elliott currently serves as the 6th Executive Director, "The Mississippi State Fire Academy reflects the dedication, skill, and passion of the people who have contributed to its growth over the years. From instructors to support staff, each individual has played a vital role in shaping not only our state's fire service but also a legacy of excellence that extends far beyond. As we celebrate 50 years, we honor the work that has saved lives, protected communities, and ensured our firefighters are always ready to answer the call—Making a Difference When It Matters the Most." The mission of the MSFA is to serve the Mississippi fire service community and the world by providing quality education and training in fundamental and advanced skills to save life and property. MSFA is a subdivision of the Mississippi Insurance Department and falls under the leadership of Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney. "The Mississippi State Fire Academy is one of, if not, the best firefighter training academies in the world. For 50 years, men and women have come in, given their all, and returned to their communities to serve others. The dangers of firefighting can never be completely removed. It is a very dangerous occupation. Good training, knowledge, and skills can help a firefighter survive the physical dangers of the job. The training the State Fire Academy offers continues to be the most up-to-date and advanced and I look forward to another 50 years of exceptional service," says Chaney.

By Kara Kimbrough     I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: those on your Christmas gift list would prefer a gift you make over something that comes from a store. Even better if it’s a gift from the kitchen or at the very least, a bakery or specialty food or beverage item they can enjoy during the holidays.     My argument for homemade gifts is bolstered by a personal testimony from Christmas 2023. Stumped by the prospect of finding something to give to three different high school principals at whose schools I serve as a career coach, I filled gift bags with tins of homemade spiced nuts and cookies and a bag of Christmas coffee and a matching mug. I dropped them off with the instructions to "relax and enjoy this during your Christmas break!"     On the first day back at school following the break, one of my principals watched for my arrival on the school’s camera system. She then met me at the front door to personally thank me for the bag, adding that she enjoyed watching Christmas movies while munching on the snacks and drinking spiced coffee in the holiday mug. I considered it high praise from someone who most likely received many Christmas gifts but was still touched by my simple bag of treats.    This year, I plan to make my own Christmas coffee blend and pour it into decorated Mason jars with a printed tag listing instructions. I’m also changing up my treats, switching to shortbread cookies and pralines – two of my favorite items to make during the holidays.     I’m happy to share the recipes, with another word of encouragement: “Make your own gifts - your friends, neighbors, teachers, bosses and others will appreciate them more than you know!” Christmas Coffee Mix 2 cups powdered creamer 1-1/2 cups hot cocoa mix 1-1/2 cups instant coffee 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar (adjust according to taste) 1-1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground clove 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground cardamom       In a large container or jar, combine the powdered creamer, hot cocoa mix, instant coffee, sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground clove, ground nutmeg and ground cardamom.   Make sure   the container or jar is tightly sealed, then shake or mix the ingredients very well. This step is crucial to make sure all ingredients are mixed well. Microwave Pralines 1 pound light brown sugar 1 cup heavy whipping cream 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 to 2 cups chopped and/or whole pecans      In a 2-quart bowl, combine sugar and whipping cream only and microwave on high for 10 minutes or until soft-boil stage. Stir in butter or margarine, vanilla and pecans QUICKLY, stir until glossy.      Drop QUICKLY by tablespoonful onto ungreased wax paper. Shortbread Cookies with Pecans 3/4 cup butter,  softened to room temperature ½ cup granulated sugar 1 egg yolk 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2-3 dozen pecan halves     Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat butter with a hand mixer until creamy. Next, gradually add the sugar, beating well between each addition until light and fluffy. Then add the egg yolk and mix to combine. Add the flour and beat on low and keep mixing until well combined and the dough forms. Next, add the vanilla and mix to combine.     Shape dough into 1 ½ inch balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Gentry press a pecan half in the center of each cookie. Bake 16-18 minutes or until lightly browned. Allow the cookies to cool slightly then transfer to wire cooling racks and cool completely. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at   kkprco@yahoo.com .

This holiday season, the Mississippi Poultry Association (MPA) continues its annual tradition of giving by donating chicken and eggs to benefit Mississippians in need. Governor Tate Reeves has chosen The Mississippi Food Network and the Salvation Army as the recipients of this generous donation, which will provide crucial protein to families facing hunger during the holiday season. “This donation is a testament to the compassion and generosity of Mississippi’s poultry industry,” said Mack Walker, MPA Chairman of the Board. “We’re proud to work alongside Governor Reeves to ensure this food reaches those who need it most.” The partnership between The Mississippi Food Network and the Salvation Army will ensure the distribution of these nutritious products to communities across the state. The donation will provide meals to thousands of families, offering hope and relief in a challenging year. “At the Mississippi Food Network, our mission is to fight hunger, and partnerships like this make all the difference,” said CEO Dr. Charles Beady. “We’re grateful for the continued support of the MPA and the opportunity to collaborate with The Salvation Army.” “This gift is about more than just food—it’s about bringing comfort and nourishment to families in need,” added Major Timothy Delaney. “We’re honored to work alongside the Mississippi Food Network to make this possible.” The Mississippi Poultry Association has been facilitating this donation since 2011, reflecting the industry’s deep commitment to supporting local communities. Together, The Mississippi Food Network and the Salvation Army thank MPA, Governor Reeves, and the hardworking individuals across Mississippi’s poultry industry for their dedication to helping others. Join the Mississippi Poultry Association, Mississippi Food Network, and The Salvation Army on Thursday, December 12th at 10 AM. Please note that Governor Reeves will not be in attendance.

The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) is seeking applications from high school sophomores to serve as the new high school junior student representative on the SBE Board for the 2025-26 school year. Application deadline is Jan. 31, 2025. Now in its seventh year, the Student Representatives of the Mississippi State Board of Education program includes a high school junior and a high school senior who serve as non-voting SBE members to share their viewpoints on policy decisions regarding Mississippi public schools. The current SBE junior representative, Crosby Parker of Gulfport High School, will serve as the senior representative in 2025-26. Through a competitive process, the SBE will appoint a new junior representative to serve a two-year term starting July 1, 2025. The top 10 semi-finalists among applicants, including the junior representative appointed and an alternate representative, automatically get to serve on the State Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. There were 33 students who were eligible applicants for the 2024-25 junior representative position. The SBE adopted policy in 2018 outlining criteria for adding student representatives to the State Board. Student representatives are responsible for attending monthly SBE meetings and any standing committees or subcommittees to which they are assigned. They are excused from school to attend SBE meetings as official school business, and they also work as liaisons for their peers to SBE. The application packet must be mailed and postmarked by Jan. 31, 2025. Access the application at mdek12.org/mbe/student-representatives-of-the-mississippi-state-board-of-education/ . A video component of the application must be uploaded by 5 p.m. Jan. 31, 2025. For questions, contact Donna Hales at (601) 359-3857 or email dhales@mdek12.org . Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news .

Saint Mary’s invites the community to experience an afternoon of uplifting music and spiritual reflection at this month’s Second Saturdays at Saint Mary’s event. Join us this Sunday, December 8th, at 3 p.m. for an inspiring performance by a renowned tenor as he shares selections from Handel’s Messiah , including the powerful “Comfort Ye” and “Every Valley” , as well as other beloved Advent favorites. Following the concert, guests are invited to a reception at the Terry Brantley Parish Hall, where we’ll gather for fellowship and light refreshments. In the spirit of the season, we encourage attendees to bring canned goods to benefit Stewpot, a local organization dedicated to serving those in need. Your contributions will help brighten the holidays for many in our community. Make plans to worship with us this Sunday at Saint Mary’s and be inspired by this extraordinary performance, warm fellowship, and the joy of giving. We look forward to sharing this sacred season with you!

By Bob Garver             2016’s “Moana” is probably my favorite animated Disney movie of the modern era. I have plenty of nice things to say about “Frozen,” “Zootopia,” “Encanto,” and several others, but “Moana,” with its timelessly-relatable main character, sharp physical comedy, and multiple memorable songs, puts it just a coir above the competition. When an evidently-rushed sequel was announced earlier this year, I became nervous. What if the new film was so disappointing that it affected my opinion of the original? Now that I’ve seen the film, I’m happy to report that my enjoyment of the original is not tarnished by this underwhelming sequel.             The film takes place three years after the original, with Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) now her island’s premier wayfinder, or boat navigator. The community is thriving, and she’s gradually finding clues that will hopefully lead her to discover more islands with communities that can be joined. But she receives a vision that if she doesn’t find far-off island Motufetu very soon, everything she holds dear will be lost. She throws together a mission with a ragtag crew that includes overeager builder Loto (Rose Matafeo), grumpy farmer Kele (David Fane), oafish historian Moni (Hualālai Chung), pet pig Pua, and chicken Heihei, and sets off on an adventure with more self-doubt than she’s ever had in her life.             Along the way, she meets up with an old enemy: the tribe of sentient coconuts known as Kakamora. The two sides battle until they discover that they both need somebody to find Motufetu, at which point one of the Kakamora joins the quest as an enforcer. Not long after, the crew find themselves swallowed by a giant clam, which is home base for new villain Matangi (Awhimai Fraser), who has abducted Moana’s former ally, the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson). It turns out that Matangi needs Moana to find Motufetu as well, though her motivations probably aren’t as pure as the Kakumora just wanting to find their way home. With Maui now officially on the crew, it’s a race to reach Motufetu before unhappy god Nalo (Tofiga Fepulea’i) can stop them with his storm-conjuring powers.             Slowly but surely, the downgrades from the first movie come to light. New songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear try valiantly to give Moana an anthem as powerful as “How Far I’ll Go,” but “Beyond” falls just a bit short. “Get Lost” from Matangi isn’t quite as memorable a villain song as “Shiny.” And as far as Maui goes, “Can I Get A Chee Hoo?” is a fall off a cliff from “You’re Welcome” that matches Johnson’s own falling star power. His tired, somehow-mugging-for-the-camera-even-in-animation schtick is probably the worst thing about this movie, other than an inexplicable overreliance on gags that involve creatures excreting from various orifices.             The movie still gets a recommendation from me. Cravalho is great as always, the new characters are compelling enough, the jokes hit at an acceptable ratio, and there’s an overall agreeable tone for an animated adventure. There’s nothing here that makes me want to turn against the “Moana” brand, which is good because we’re going to be getting a lot more of it in the future. Supposedly this movie was supposed to be the first few installments of a television miniseries, and harsher critics will say that it should have been stuck on television. I don’t agree with that assessment, I think theaters are lucky to have “Moana 2,” even if it’s a step down from the original. But Moana’s journey is clearly far from over, and however it continues, I hope it doesn’t lose any more magic than it already has.   Grade: B-   “Moana 2” is rated PG for action/peril. Its running time is 100 minutes.   Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Four-year-old Barry was rambunctious and energetic. Gifted by God with charming smile, electric blue eyes and golden hair. From the moment those mesmerizing blue eyes opened, to when they reluctantly closed in sleep after he had raced headlong thru his day, Barry had to be on the move. He loved to run, climb, throw, jump and crash. In many ways, he was a normal, high energy, little boy in blue shorts, t-shirt and tennis shoes. Except for his tendency to be a forty-one-pound wrecking ball on a mission. His little body seemed incapable of operating at a normal speed for a preschooler. Mean spirited and deliberately destructive? No, not at all. He just had a nuclear-powered jet engine in a forty-one pound body, with only one speed – overdrive. If there were any brakes installed for slowing down that scary motor, they were well-hidden and rarely put to use. Does the description of this meteorite on steroids sound pretty charming? A gorgeous, precocious and intelligent little boy who was loving life? Yeah, absolutely, until you looked around in his wake at what used to be your living room that now resembled a glorified trash dump. This child seemed gifted with an ability to destroy a living room in ten minutes flat. Nothing was safe around this kid. Draperies, coffee table knickknacks, tv, or table lamps – all were fair game in his world. But to his credit, he never discriminated. Whether he was in his mom’s home, or in yours, it didn’t matter. He saw any place he was playing as his domain to be enjoyed – and accidentally obliterated. This normal, energetic, intelligent and charming little one had only one problem, and it wasn’t him. It was his parents. Because they “loved” him so deeply, and found his antics so impossibly cute and funny, they couldn’t bring themselves to do what was best for him. They never physically disciplined him. They put their own needs before his. Their weak-kneed attempts at civilizing him were limited to adoring words of affirmation and gently spoken corrections, such as, “Barry, honey, you shouldn’t throw that bat in Mr. Carl’s house, that’s not a good choice.” Or, “Sweetie, please try to just play with some toys on the floor. I know you’re bored, but climbing this sweet lady’s drapes to try to touch the ceiling is not a good idea. You might hurt yourself.” Tell me something, all you parents out there. How are little minds and bodies supposed to learn how to behave and act in society, when their parents lack the guts to say NO, and then won’t physically do whatever has to be done to enforce that word? That can result an energetic, untaught little four-year-old who will remind you of a lovable tornado, because a untrained and undisciplined four-year-old is exactly that! Moms and dads, your God gave you a tornado to tame and train, that is your job!! Love your child enough to do that job.

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum will host the annual Homestead for the Holidays event on Thursday, December 12, and Friday, December 13, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Admission is $8 per person for ages 3 and up. Enjoy breakfast for supper, story time with Mrs. Claus and have pictures taken with Santa and Rudolph. Visit the Fortenberry-Parkman Farmstead to see various agricultural demonstrations and take a stroll through Small Town to experience Christmas during the early 1920s. The carousel, train rides and hayrides will be available, as well as live music throughout the grounds. Visitors will have the opportunity to write letters to Santa on limited-edition postcards, printed in the Small-Town Print Shop, and browse the General Store for an old-fashioned glass bottle drink and unique Mississippi-made products that make great gifts and stocking stuffers. Homestead for the Holidays is sponsored in part by the Mississippi Egg Marketing Board, the Mississippi Beef Council, Cal-Maine Foods Inc., Mississippi Poultry Association, Polk’s Meat Products and The Dairy Alliance. For more information about this family-oriented and festive event, visit  www.msagmuseum.org/homestead-for-the-holidays . The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, is located at 1150 Lakeland Drive in Jackson. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 601-432-4500 or 1-800-844-8687, visit  www.msagmuseum.org  or visit the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum’s page on Facebook, Instagram and X.

By: Kara Kimbrough Watching the televised lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City always conjures up delightful memories of a special trip; ones that I pull up and think about as soon as the month of December rolls around. Hopefully by the time you finish reading this, you’ll be planning your own trip to what I can only describe as a magical place during the holidays. In the meantime, you can experience a little piece of NYC this Christmas by ordering a special gift from the shopping mecca of the world or at the very least, making one of the city’s most famous delicacies to enjoy during the holidays. But back to my reminiscing. A few Christmases ago, I was standing near the magnificent Rockefeller Center Christmas tree gazing up with awe at thousands of multi-colored tree lights and a brilliant star composed of 70 spikes covered with 3 million brilliant Swarovski crystals. At that time, visitors could walk right up to the tree, shoot photos and generally bask in the awesomeness of the glorious structure. Across the street, Christmas music synced to an awe-inspiring light show along the front of Saks Fifth Avenue added to the magical experience. A chilly December wind whipping the colorful flags circling the skating rink (and our hair) added to the excitement of the Hallmark movie-like moment. I would have missed this memorable sight if I hadn’t decided to leave the Rainbow Room on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center early with part of my travel group from Mississippi and Texas. On a whim as we exited Rockefeller Center, my friend Robin's husband, Word, guided us around the corner to the site of the tree near the ice-skating rink. This last-minute decision created special memories that we still talk about to this day. Fast forward to 2024 and visitors are no longer allowed to get up close to the Rockefeller tree due to security issues. And, Saks recently announced it was discontinuing its famous music and light show. Our impromptu detour to see the tree was indeed fortuitous, as that magical experience can never be recreated in quite the same way. Despite these setbacks, literally thousands of amazing light shows, Christmas decorations, entertainment with a holiday theme (the Radio City Rockettes come to mind) and much more are spread throughout the five boroughs of NYC for visitors to enjoy from now until New Year's. If you’ve visited NYC before and want to give a gift straight from the Big Apple to those on your list (or to treat yourself), it’s not too late to order a special item online and have it shipped to you in time for Christmas.  A few that come to mind include: Saks – Who wouldn’t love a gift from an upscale NYC store that’s unlike anything you’ll likely find locally? Even better, Saks’ shipping fees are reasonable. Check out the latest fashions, home décor and specialty items at: saksfifthavenue.com . A piece of Central Park – If you’ve ever explored this massive park in the heart of Manhattan, you’ll be excited to know you can easily order a variety of items from the Central Park Conservancy, the organization that cares for the 843-acre park. Books, Christmas ornaments, mugs, apparel and more can be ordered from the website: centralparknyc.com . Looking for a special gift for the foodie on your list? A number of NYC bakeries and food stores ship their most requested products around the country (and world). A few of my favorites are: Junior’s Deli’s famous cheesecake; Carlo’s Bake Shop’s black and white cookies and Levain Bakery’s variety of cookies. Bagel-lovers can choose between these favorites: Essa Bagel, Eli Zabar, Russ & Daughters, Zucker's Bagels and Brooklyn Bagel, to name a few. If none of these suggestions will work for those on your list, here’s a novel idea. Give them the gift of…wait for it…New York City in 2025! While a trip to the city during the Christmas season can be pricey (email me if you’d like my tips on the best week in December to visit and other cost-savings measures), prices drop quite a bit during the chilly month of January. A trip to the most fascinating city in the world is doable by taking advantage of special savings during NYC Hotel Week. This special promotion offers 25% off standard room rates at participating hotels from Jan. 2 -Feb. 9. Reservations are now open at the more than 120 hotels participate in Hotel Week, so it’s easy to book now and present the “gift” of a visit to be enjoyed just after New Year’s. Additionally, NYC Hotel Week is part of NYC Winter Outing, NYC Tourism + Convention's ultimate winter value program. Included are Restaurant, Broadway and Must-See Weeks offering rare discounts on meals, Broadway show tickets and a variety of entertainment venues. Winter Outing runs from Jan. 21-Feb. 9. I visited NYC in January and took advantage of many of these special discounts. I can attest that the savings are significant. The weather was cold, but not unlike January weather we sometimes experience in the south. If you’re considering a trip to enjoy NYC during the Christmas season (there’s still time!) drop me an email and I’ll share my “must-do” list and other tips. For more information about Winter Outing and Hotel Week as well as “all things New York,” visit New York City Tourism + Convention's website at: nyctourism.com . In the meantime, I’m adding NYC’s famous black and white cookies to my Christmas food gifts this year. Not only are they delicious, but the sight of them will tide me over until I land back in my favorite city. The recipe for black and white cookies is a little lengthy, so drop me an email if you’d like it and I’ll send it to you ASAP.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with the National Weather Service and the Mississippi Department of Transportation, encourages Mississippians to prepare for the upcoming winter weather season on Winter Weather Preparedness Day, December 4, 2024. In January 2024, dangerous cold and icy conditions caused 12 fatalities and 29 injuries across the state. Mississippians are encouraged to prepare their families, homes, and vehicles for cold temperatures, possible extended power outages, and wintry weather. "While Mississippi is not known for snow, we experience cold and wintry precipitation. Don't wait for a winter storm to be in the forecast to prepare. All citizens should prepare today by building a disaster go-kit that can get them through at least 72 hours without power and in freezing temperatures," says MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney. More preparedness tips can be found on MEMA's website,  msema.org . "Now is the time to prepare for cold temperatures and potential snowy and icy conditions. Stay informed, have emergency supplies like blankets and nonperishable food, and ensure your home is adequately insulated. Preparedness is key to navigating winter weather effectively in Mississippi," says Michael Hill, National Weather Service Jackson Warning Coordination Meteorologist. As we enter the winter season, roads and bridges can become treacherous for drivers. "Without warning, winter weather and extreme cold events can strike anywhere in Mississippi, and can impact Mississippi highways for multiple days," said Brad White, MDOT Executive Director. "We urge motorists to always have a plan, monitor road conditions, and follow guidance from your local weather officials to remain safe." Here are some ways to prepare your family, home, and vehicle for the upcoming winter months: Winterize Your Home: Store dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Insulate walls and attics; use caulk and weather-stripping around doors and windows. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic. Winterize your house, barn, shed, or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock, or equipment. Clear rain gutters, repair roof leaks, and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm. Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip slightly during cold weather to avoid freezing. Keep fire extinguishers on hand and ensure everyone in your house knows how to use them. Learn how to shut off water valves in the case of a pipe bursting. Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends, neighbors, or employees. Your Disaster Go-Kit for Your Family Should Include: Non-perishable food for family and pets Water (1 gallon/family member a day) Extra blankets Dry Firewood Additional medications First Aid Kit Phone Charger Hygiene Items Flashlights Extra Batteries Car Kit Checklist: Windshield scraper Flashlight with extra batteries Jumper cables First aid kit Blankets Cell phone charger Water/snacks Emergency flares or reflectors

The Mississippi Farmers Market will host its Holiday Harvest event this Saturday, December 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Market will feature complimentary hot chocolate, apple cider and popcorn, as well as letters to Santa and unique vendors for holiday gift shopping. Santa Claus will be at the Market 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for photos, and the Genuine MS® Store will be offering holiday-style samples as part of an open house showcase. “I want to invite the public to come by the Mississippi Farmers Market Saturday to enjoy a time of family and holiday-oriented festivities,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “In addition to the usual array of farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs, shoppers will also be treated to a unique, community celebration and Christmas experience they can share with loved ones.” The Farmers Market Café, located inside of the Mississippi Farmers Market, is open 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every weekday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday. For daily menu schedules, visit the Farmers Market Café on Facebook. The Genuine MS® Store, also located inside the Mississippi Farmers Market, is open 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday. Find all sorts of Mississippi grown, raised, crafted and made gift ideas from the Genuine MS® Store online at  www.genuinems.com/genuine-ms-store  today. The Mississippi Farmers Market, a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, is open 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday. For additional information about the Mississippi Farmers Market, visit  www.msfarmersmarket.com  or follow the Mississippi Farmers Market on Facebook, Instagram and X.

By: Mika Hartman Christmas is here and we are counting our blessings. When I was a little girl, I started collecting Precious Moments figures. My Granny Joy and I shared love for these collectibles and they almost became an obsession. My favorite ones were the Christmas ones and the “Make a Joyful Noise” figurine. Loving the cheekiness in the figures and the scriptures they depicted was easy; this one, with the little girl and the goose, had my granny’s name in the scripture making it even more special.   To "make a joyful noise” meant laughter for the longest to me; but, ask me today, and it means all kinds of noises. Hudson’s noises, in particular, bring us all joy. If you listen closely, you can hear words forming. Hudson’s laughter is the best noise ever, but hearing him say “dude” or “I’m good” is a level of tearful joy, too. And, of course, “mama” or “dada”, while not often, is so good to hear. These two words usually follow a cry for something, but he knows who to call… and that brings us joy.    Looking back, from cries to giggles, my journey as a special needs parent has been filled with many new noises; not all the noise has been joyful. The beeps, sirens, alarms, oxygen tanks filling, g-tube machines malfunctioning, and, mainly, the cries that had a trauma feeling attached, all made me very anxious in the beginning. The level of information we need, but have to search for, can be overwhelming. When your child is visibly upset, but he has no words to tell you what’s wrong, those noises can quickly send you into a spiral. My son will always be enough, but we constantly worry about whether we are providing all he needs and how he can use these tools best.     What I have learned: all the noises meant my son was here and fighting, giving us the gift of time. Initially, the noises were scary and unfamiliar, but now they are joyful, too. We made it. We now have less equipment attached. We now have fewer machines to charge and fill. We now have a better understanding of what he needs in most of the situations… we had to go through the hard to get here. The gift of time brings joy: past, and present, plus, hope for a joyous future. The hard brings confidence and helps consolidate the noise. The fight leads to winning.   Every challenge we have faced shows me that we can and will rise above it, and come out both better and stronger for that experience. We are not built differently than anyone else; we all have so much more inside of us than we know. My courage and voice come from seeing my son fight and forge through hard and unfamiliar things… and he can now say, “I’m good”. If he’s good (more like great), I am great, too.  When fear turns to joy, you listen hard for the EXTRA joyful noises in your life. We are blessed.  Merry Christmas from our family to yours. May you hear the bell of Saint Nick, plus, many more EXTRA joyful noises. Be still and listen.