Mama Christmas

A perfect gift for the holiday season, no matter what you celebrate! I am a mix of two traditions. From Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama. How lucky am I? Holiday time at Sadie's house means golden gelt sparkling under the Christmas tree, candy canes hanging on eight menorah branches, voices uniting to sing carols about Macabees and the manger, and latkes on the mantel awaiting Santa's arrival. Selina Alko's joyous celebration of blended families will make the perfect holiday gift for the many Americans who celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah.

If you’re a mom (or mom-to-be) who wants to raise decent human beings, maintain your pre-baby identity, and not lose your sh*t along the way, congrats: you’ve just found the parenting book of your dreams. The Rebel Mama’s Handbook for (Cool) Moms is a girlfriend’s guide to early motherhood. It’s the Coles Notes for all those boring baby books you never read. It’s the instruction manual you wish your kid(s) came with - complete with cocktail list. Welcome to motherhood. Let’s do this.

This beautifully written holiday memoir follows the tradition of The Christmas Box and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It's the story of the author's mother, whose romantic nature and love for Christmas left a lifelong impression on her son. Mother is a tiny woman--4'11''--except when life demands that she draw herself up to her "full height" of 11'4''. Christmas is one of those times. Father is opposed to celebrating Christmas, and every year the couple fights about it. And every year Jerry and the other kids eavesdrop nervously until their mother ensures that Christmas wins out. When things take a turn for the worst, Mother and the boys find themselves struggling with poverty and depressed circumstances. Mother tries to make the best of Christmas at first, but when she loses the holiday spirit, her young sons decide to do something about it. In their attempt, they discover the true meaning of grace.

Gloria's Christmas begins with frustration when she is forced to go to work with Mama, but by the end of the day, she appreciates her family and enjoys the holiday.

The terrifying comic strip about a woman taxi driver--take a seat and buckle up for a wild ride

From the author and illustrator of Night at the Stadium and Day at the Beach comes a modern holiday classic about a chipmunk who has to learn the true meaning of Christmas. It is Christmas Eve and Little Chipmunk asks his mother, “What is Christmas, Mama?” His Mama tells him that Christmas is many things and as they walk together through the woods, Little Chipmunk sees badgers decorating their burrow with bright red berries, ducks exchanging holidays greetings on golden leaves, beetles carrying presents on their shiny backs, and geese singing in the winter sky. Each time he asks his mother if this is Christmas, and each time she answers, that yes, this is part of Christmas. Night falls and Little Chipmunk and his Mama snuggle in to sleep. When he wakes up on Christmas morning, he is surprised by the wonderland that greets him: all the world is blanketed in deep snow. And, then, one by one, Chipmunk and his mother see the geese, the badgers, the ducks, and the beetles, as well as some new forest friends—all gathered to celebrate joy and friendship, beauty and wonder, love and kindness—all of what Christmas truly means.

I’ll Carry You My Child I just remember praying so silently, “Dear Jesus, will you please take my trembling hand?” Lord, can’t you see I’m losing all of my courage? I’m weak, my legs are shaking, and I can barely stand. I know that you see this door in front of me; my precious daughter is resting in peace on the other side. I am just so afraid of seeing what I most want to see, “Lord, Do you think, this time, you could carry me inside?” Then Jesus said, “My child you must have forgotten, for this surely isn’t the very first time. You’ve had other troubling times in your life, as I did then, I’ll carry you now, and you will be just fine.” I can’t tell you this won’t be painful, for it will be, there will be things that you won’t want to see. But someday even painful memories become cherished, and they’ll remain “deep, in the heart of you and me.” Don’t you remember the day that you followed me child, as we walked lazily along in the sand? There was only “one set of footprints” then, don’t you know, “my child, I’ll carry you again?” 18 MARY J. BOOMHOWER Did You See The Angels? Danni, “Did you see the angels hovering near, and did you ask them to please go away?” “Did you tell them you would go another time, but that you just couldn’t go that day?” Danni, “Did you tell them you were on your way home, and that I was counting the minutes to see you?” “Did you tell them your new life had barely begun, and that you still had so many things to do?” Danni, “Did you tell them, that you really loved “The Lord,” and you would gladly go to Heaven someday?” “Did you tell them that we hadn’t said our good-byes, and that you just couldn’t leave me that way?” Danni, “Did you tell them that your mama wasn’t that strong, and that I just couldn’t bear losing my child?” “Did you tell them how we had to hug every day, and how much I would miss your smile?” MAMA’S HEART 19 Our Last Cuddle All signs of life were gone from you, when I first saw you that day. The pain that you had suffered was still on your face, and I wanted so badly to take it away. I needed to wrap my arms around you, and to give you lots of baby kisses. Just the way we did when you were small, and when you had all of those “near misses!” I gently blew kisses over your body, while I prayed that you safely made it “home.” Then I really thought I heard you say, “Mama, please cuddle me once more, while we’re alone.” I really wanted to lye down beside you, and wrap you up so tightly in my arms. I wanted assurance you’d never know pain again, I’d gladly lay there forever, protecting you from harm. I just went to my knees praying, Lord Jesus, will you please, please hold my hand? She had so much life left to live, Lord. I just don’t understand! Lord, you know I’ve lost my precious child, and I don’t know what to do. This is the hardest time in my life I’ve ever known. And now, Lord, I need so much help from you! 20 MARY J. BOOMHOWER Footprints On My Heart How very softly you tip-toed into my world, almost silently, and only a moment you stayed. I wasn’t prepared to let you go, and never dreamed you’d go away. I remember the day you took your first step, and how it made a footprint on my heart. I never thought your life would be so brief, or how soon we’d have to say good-bye and part. I used to think of the day you’d marry, and wonder about the man you’d choose. I prayed you’d find the right one, someone that would love you and always be true. Some say that God knows the day we are born, how long our stay on earth will be. If “He” knew from the beginning, I just wish ‘He” would have prepared me. MAMA’S HEART 21 What Would You Do Without Me? Please open up your big brown eyes; I just know if you’d try that you can. Can’t you feel me? I’m right here beside you! Oh my child, I can just barely stand. Please open your eyes, I know that you can. You can’t be gone, the dream wasn’t yours, it was mine! This was always a dream but I didn’t understand, but now you’re gone and you left me behind!