April Fool's Day Story

April Fools Day Mom
By Janeal Mulaney
I was expecting my second child in April, and actually the doctor had declared the due date around the sixteenth of May. I knew the baby would come before then I just was not entirely sure when. I awoke for some reason in the wee hours on April first and decided I would play a prank on my mother, like I usually did every April fools day. Just usually not quite that early in the morning. So it was three o'clock am no big deal she would get over being woke up at that time of day by the time I saw her later. So sweet little me punched in the numbers of her line and waited patiently for her to answer her phone. She said, hello in her sleep-induced voice, and I moaned extra long for her benefit, before I said."Mom, I'm in labor, we need to get to the hospital fast.""How far apart are the contractions?" she asked."They're only a minute apart, they're coming fast, I must have slept through most of them," then I let out another moan. I heard the phone drop and my mother's voice franticly calling to my dad to wake up. I tried screaming into the phone, but she was already gone. My father heard me, and picked up the phone. Through my laughter, I told my dad it was just an April fool's joke. My dad started laughing with me as we both heard my mom's van start outside of their house. All of a sudden we heard the door slam as she rushed back in to get my father to hurry up, and find out what was keeping my sound asleep husband, who should have already been out to the car with my bag. Through his laughter and tears, my father told her it was an April fool's joke and I was just fine. She went out shut off the motor to her van, came back and told me after I had my child she was going to shoot me. I still don't understand why, she would want to do such a thing? I guess she did get over it, because I'm still here, and all three of my children are grown.

The Empty Christmas Stocking

The Empty Christmas Stocking
By Janeal Mulaney
I’ve noticed every Christmas, presents get more expensive
Everyone wants more and more.
Are we forgetting what Christmas is all about?
On the twenty-fifth day of December, we celebrate our Savior birth,
Jesus Christ was born.
Do we remember that it’s His birthday we celebrate?
Do we put a gift for Him beneath our Christmas tree?
Do we hang a stocking for Him for the entire world to see?
You might wonder what we’d give him even if we did.
Well, here are a few ideas to fill His stocking with.
There kindness toward each other, and the rest of our fellowman.
Peace on earth, and joy throughout our land.
We could also reach for understanding and forgiveness,
For the people we feel have done us wrong.
Compassion and caring we should give throughout each year.
Is his stocking getting full, or do we still have room for a whole lot more.
We could put in gentleness and tenderness, for they should go hand in hand.
Let’s not forget the love he gives us each and everyday
I still feel LOVE is the most important gift of all.
So, hang the empty stockings on the mantelpiece.
But don’t forget the most important one.
The empty stocking you hang for Jesus Christ.
Don’t forget all the items that make our Christmas bright.
Our Love for the Heavenly Father and our fellow man
For each time we show our love for another.
We show our love also for our savior
Let’s add all the other feelings that God gives each of us everyday,
Not just once a year.