Well, it’s our last post for the angel blog, and we both feel extremely blessed to have shared the last two weeks with readers who have given us the gift of holiday spirit. True Christmas spirit (or Chunnukah) is not measured by gifts and ribbbons and wrappings, but rather in the smiles of family, friends….and perfect strangers who give a piece of themselves. We thank you for giving us your stories and taking the time out of your day to comment, raise money and bless us witih your presence.

You know, sometimes people get jaded over Christmas, and sometimes the sappy sentiments don’t hit the mark for them. I’ve seen many people express dismay over the silly sentimentality of Christmas movies and books. And I guess I can see their point at times. Sometimes the syrupy sweetness of Christmas rubs folks the wrong way. But beneath all the sentimentality is a yearning for something kinder and gentler…for something that keeps a person warm. I’ve always thought of this hope as the most precious thing. So as a romance writer, I celebrate it. My Christmas book celebrates it, as does Hope’s. There’s something about expecting the best in people, something about seeing self-sacrifice, healing and a spiritualness that allows us to have faith in our fellow man.

As Hope and I discussed our nominees for our top angel (if you want to call it that) we struggled to come up with a firm set of guidelines. It’s not as if you can compare these wonderful angels because each is unique to a situation. We loved so many of the stories, loved seeing the impact of mothers, daughters, husbands, wives and people within communities who put aside their own interests to help others find their way. We had those who helped animals, the elderly, cancer patients, and family members. We had angels who sacrificed, gave comfort, provided needed help and radiated love. How blessed you all are to have such people in your lives. I’m pretty sure all those angels are winners. Thank you for sharing them with us.

Hope and I decided to each choose three potential winners of the top angel award. Then we compared. Oddly enough, we’d chosen very different angels for different reasons. Only one angel was on both lists. So we decided this angel was the perfect angel to reward with the prize. Thank you Amy Christopher for nominating Kristin Cobb Simpson who along with her husband have worked to help create a foundation in honor of her nephew. This foundation educates coaches and parents on what to look for in middle school and high school athletes who might be at risk of abnormal heart conditions. Heat related deaths and undetected medical conditions in young athletes can lead to death…as it did for 14 year old Burke Cobb, and this non-profit organization Living4Burke works to provide free or low-cost screenings to school athletic programs.  You can find more information here: http://www.living4burke.org.

Again, thank you all for participating. And a special shout out to our guest authors who all have Christmas books out (hint, hint). May you all have a blessed holiday and continue to share the joy of kindness with others.

Peace,

Hope Ramsay and Liz Talley

PS – Amy, I will be in touch