The Joy of Christmas

by Amy Newmark

  David Hull was a preschool teacher for twenty-eight years. Now that he’s retired, he spends his time writing, reading and battling weeds in his vegetable gardens — the weeds are winning! He has been published in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books. E-mail him at Davidhull59@aol.com.

  Cindy Hval is the author of War Bonds: Love Stories from the Greatest Generation, which tells the stories of thirty-six couples who met/married during WWII. It’s available at Amazon.com. Cindy’s work is featured in ten volumes of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Contact her at dchval@juno.com, CindyHval.com or via Twitter @CindyHval.

  Rebecca L. Jones is a professional storyteller in and around Seaford, DE. Her husband prevents her from being a “crazy cat lady”; however, her four children have helped sneak a few animals into the house. Rebecca enjoys the arts, bicycling, and crocheting. She is currently writing some fiction and nonfiction works.

  Victoria Jones is a recently retired editor for a nonprofit education publication in Chicago. She is the mother of two, and has seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She loves butterflies, and enjoys traveling, writing, and taking pictures of clouds, sunsets, and sunrises. She is currently working on a book.

  Vicki L. Julian, a Kansas University graduate, is the author of four inspirational books, various newspaper and magazine articles, a contributor to six anthologies, and the author of a soon-to-be released Christmas-themed children’s book. She writes a faith-based blog and is a board member of Kansas Authors Club.

  Gregory A. Kompes, MFA, MS Ed., has written Circuitous Course, Suddenly Psychic, Messages from The Three Sisters, Sky Pirates, The Middle Man, Flash Mob, First Dimension, the bestselling 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live and has stories included in over a dozen anthologies. Learn more at Kompes.com.

  Jamie Kopf began her writing career during the sixth grade thanks to her teacher pushing her to explore her poetry. She has a huge, amazing, wonderful family that got even more amazing when she married her husband Andrew last year. Christmas is by far her favorite day of the year.

  Dani Kuhn is a full-time mother who lives in St. Thomas, Ontario with her husband, five children and two parrots. She is a sarcoidosis warrior and advocate for her exceptional children. She draws on these experiences when sharing her lifelong passion for writing. In her leisure time she enjoys crochet and nature.

  Jennifer Land earned her Master of Library and Information Science degree and currently works as a web development manager for her local library system. She also founded and directs Monroe’s Mighty Mission, a nonprofit focused on keeping pets and families together through difficult times. She enjoys traveling and writing.

  Sharon Landeen is a mother, grandma, great-grandma, and retired elementary teacher. She believes that working with children helps keep her young. She stays busy volunteering at schools, helping the 4-H program, and making blankets for Project Linus. She enjoys traveling, reading, and being an avid University of Arizona basketball fan.

  Deborah Lean is a retired nurse, mother of two, and grandmother of seven. She enjoys painting, crochet, and a variety of crafts. Writing is an ongoing interest, with two blogs and a number of ebooks on Amazon.

  Although raised in Southern California, Susan Lendroth wishes the climate would add a couple of frosty days to the mix at Christmas. A children’s author, she’s thinking of writing a future story with a snow setting so that she can at least imagine winter! Find Susan at facebook.com/susanlendroth.

  Donna Lorrig attended Middle Tennessee State University as an art and animal science major and Pikes Peak Community College where she explored political science. For the past thirty-seven years, she has devoted the majority of her time to supporting her husband and raising their seven children who she homeschooled.

  Jim Luke was born and raised in Mississippi, is married to the former Karen Howell and is the father of two daughters, Chanda and Lauren. Jim attended Picayune Memorial High School, Pearl River Junior College, University of Southern Mississippi and is a graduate of the FBI Command College. He is City Manager of Picayune, MS.

  Irene Maran is a freelance writer living at the Jersey Shore with her cats and turtles. She writes two biweekly newspaper columns and runs a prompt writing group at the shore. She is a professional storyteller who enjoys sharing her humorous stories with adults and children. E-mail her at maran.irene@gmail.com.

  Dave Markwell dreams of… a beach, a beer and a book. His reality… Dad, business owner, writer, thinker, seeker, player of cribbage in bare feet and griller of some pretty good chicken… Life is a funny business and he’ll take it….

  Katie Martin lives in North Carolina with her husband Paul. A day in Katie Martin’s life begins with a vigilant eye and an open mind to the stories that lay behind the daily events of people, places and things. A published author with an appetite for life, Katie brings a warm glow to ordinary things making them extraordinary.

  Margaret M. Marty, a lifelong resident of Rock Creek in east-central Minnesota, is a wife, mother, grandmother, and retired certified professional secretary. She is a guest writer for the Pine City Pioneer and has had poetry published in The Talking Stick, a publication of Jackpine Writers’ Bloc of Menahga, MN.

  Sara Matson lives with her family in Minnesota, where she writes children’s stories as well as the occasional personal essay. This year she and her daughters (now sixteen) will celebrate their seventh Saint Lucia Day with Sylvia. Learn more at www.saramatson.com.

  Patrick Matthews is a writer and award-winning game designer living in Central Florida. His first novel is Dragon Run, a fast-paced middle grade fantasy adventure. Mr. Matthews also authored the Mathfinder series of puzzle books, produces the Games for Educators newsletter, and speaks regularly at schools about writing.

  Sandra Holmes McGarrity lives and writes in Chesapeake, VA. She is the author of three published novels. Her writing has been published in many books and magazines including three Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She enjoys her church, family, puttering in her flower garden, and living life with her husband of forty-three years.

  Rosemary McLaughlin lives in retired bliss with her husband Bill in Pittsburgh, PA. She enjoys reading, writing, traveling, volunteering and keeping up with her grandchildren and former students. This is her fourth story published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. E-mail her at rosemarymclaugh@gmail.com.

  Myrna CG Mibus is a freelance writer based in Webster, MN, where she lives with her husband and two teenagers. She enjoys bicycling, baking, traveling, reading and flying. Myrna’s essays and articles have been published in a variety of publications, including Chicken Soup for the Mother of Preschooler’s Soul.

  Josephine Montgomery is a British subject and citizen of the world. She has traveled extensively in the Middle East, and for two years she studied written and spoken Arabic at Amman University in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Josephine is a published writer of three historical novels, travel articles and short stories.

  Emily Morgan received her Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, in English from North Greenville University in 2015. She loves the great outdoors and likes to enjoy it while hiking with her family. She finds inspiration for her writing while she is staring at the mountains. She plans to write books for Christian teens.

  Marya Morin is a freelance writer. Her stories and poems have appeared in publications such as Woman’s World and Hallmark. Marya also penned a weekly humorous column for an online newsletter, and writes custom poetry on request. She lives in the country with her husband. E-mail her at Akushla514@hotmail.com.

  Nicole L.V. Mullis is the author of the novel A Teacher Named Faith. Her work has appeared in newspapers, magazines and anthologies, including the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Her plays have been produced in New York, California and Michigan. She lives in Michigan with her family and a crawlspace stuffed with Christmas stuff.

  Eric Nanson has a B.S. degree from Chico State University. He is a poet, sculptor, designer, photographer, and a
n artist of multiple disciplines. He writes from many differing perspectives and points of view, and tries to incorporate twists and turns in his poetry.

  Irena Nieslony is English, but now lives on the island of Crete, Greece with her husband and their seven dogs and four cats. She has an honors degree in Drama and English from the University of London, and was previously an actress and puppeteer. She loves writing, and has had eight novels published, all murder mysteries.

  Katie O’Connell writes from the heart. She believes in the healing power of dark chocolate, a good laugh, and living an authentic and meaningful life. Her essays have been featured in Reader’s Digest, Sasee, Patheos, and several Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Follow her blog at blog.heartwiredwriting.com.

  Karen J. Olson is a writer from Eau Claire, WI. She graduated from UW-Eau Claire with enough knowledge in psychology and sociology to make people watching a job. She loves reading, walking and all things Christmas! She especially enjoys writing humor and inspirational pieces. E-mail her at kjolson@charter.net.

  Andrea Arthur Owan is a travel-loving freelance writer. Her work has appeared in other Chicken Soup for the Soul books, Guideposts, anthologies, magazines and newspapers. Her blog, Broken Hearts, Redeemed, helps families recover emotionally, physically, and spiritually from the loss of a child in pregnancy or at birth.

  Ava Pennington is a writer, speaker, and Bible teacher. She authored Daily Reflections on the Names of God, endorsed by Kay Arthur. Ava has written for magazines such as Today’s Christian Woman and Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse, and contributed to twenty-three Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Learn more at AvaWrites.com.

  Author and Chef Perry P. Perkins runs a nonprofit organization called MY KITCHEN Outreach, which teaches nutrition, shopping, and hands-on cooking classes for at risk youth, and he writes regularly for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Perry’s writing can be found at perryperkinsbooks.com.

  Connie Kaseweter Pullen lives in rural Sandy, OR near her five children and several grandchildren. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Portland in 2006, with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. Connie enjoys writing, photography and exploring nature. E-mail her at MyGrandmaPullen@aol.com.

  Tim Ramsey has been an educator in the public school setting since 1983. He currently teaches fifth grade in Phoenix, AZ. Tim has had four previous stories published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. In addition, he has been awarded first place three times in the Arizona English Teachers’ Teachers as Writers Contest.

  Carol McAdoo Rehme fills her historic home with unique traditions, riveting hobbies, and quirky collections. A seasoned editor, writers’ coach and ghostwriter, she is the author of seven gift books and is currently penning a whimsical memoir for her grandchildren.

  Sauni Rinehart is a writer, speaker, and teacher. She teaches literature and composition online for Liberty University. She has self-published four books, and her work has appeared in several anthologies. She and her husband live in East Tennessee and enjoy hiking, kayaking, and traveling.

  Nan Rockey lives in Bloomington, IN with her writer husband and her non-writer dog, Padfoot. She loves playing the ukulele and spending time with her wonderful in-laws.

  Donna Van Cleve Schleif received an associate’s degree from Kilgore College. She has six grown children, fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way. She is married to the love of her life, Rick; they love traveling and she, of course, loves writing.

  Edie Schmidt is an internationally published freelance writer. She earned a B.S. degree from University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, KY. She enjoys spending time with family and baking cakes by the sea in Daytona Beach, FL.

  Donna Faulkner Schulte is the author of Santa’s Search for the Perfect Child and The Love Club. Donna is a lifelong native of Fayetteville, NC. She started her love of books at an early age. Later she started writing poems, then stories. Donna believes with all her heart that love and kindness is the answer and one person can make a difference.

  Jay Seate writes everything from humor to the macabre, and is especially keen on transcending genre pigeonholing. He lives in Golden, CO with the dream of enjoying the rest of his life traveling and writing.

  Kathie Slief studied Journalism at St. Gregory’s College and University of Oklahoma. She put those skills to work at her church where she was Communication Director for twenty-three years. Now retired, she and her husband Greg reminisce about the joys of raising five children who have now doubled their pleasure with ten grandchildren.

  David Michael Smith has been published multiple times in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and enjoys the role of “storyteller.” He wears many hats, outside of “author,” including husband to his wife Geri, father to Rebekah and Matthew, and Deacon in the North American Anglican Church. E-mail him at davidandgeri@hotmail.com.

  Laura Snell, her husband Dave, and their dog Gus Gusterson live in Wasaga Beach, Ontario where they operate their web development firm GBSelect.com. Her son Ryan lives in Melbourne, Australia. This is her sixth story published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. E-mail her at laura@gbselect.com.

  Jean Haynie Stewart has been a California resident for forty-four years. Her stories draw heavily from life there with her husband of fifty-six years, twin daughters and their families, as well as from her Georgia upbringing. She is thrilled that this is her eighteenth story published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. “A New Tradition” ©2009 by Jean Haynie Stewart, was first published in Christmas Traditions, ©2009 by F+W Media, Inc. Reprinted with permission. All Rights Reserved.

  Mary Stewart-Firth lives in her native North Carolina with her husband Alan, a British citizen who loves calling North Carolina home. She enjoys hiking, traveling, writing and art journaling.

  Layla Tavassoli is currently working on her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History with a focus on the medieval era. In addition to being a scholar, Layla partakes in activities such as writing poetry and creating studio art. She has a strong interest in nature, as well as global affairs.

  Nancy Thorne lives just outside of Toronto with her husband, two sons and a yellow Labrador. Her stories have recently appeared in Canadian Tales of the Mysterious and Canadian Tales of the Heart. She hopes her writing, reflecting the unpredictability of life and new beginnings, inspires others.

  Susan Traugh’s work has appeared in several Chicken Soup for the Soul books, plus local and national magazines. Her young adult novel, The Edge of Brilliance, and her special education workbooks can be found on her website at susantraugh.com. She lives with her family in San Diego, CA.

  Kristen Velasquez received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education and is currently working toward her degree in nursing. She is an advocate for children with cancer and is the creator of Operation GOLD, a program that donates Christmas presents to children with cancer. Learn more at www.operation-gold.com.

  Rita Kaye Vetsch resides in central Minnesota with her loving family and her precious fur companions. She has a passion for writing and recently had her first children’s book, The Many Colors of Friendship, published by Eloquent Publishing. Rita enjoys writing, photography and spending time with family.

  Louise Lenahan Wallace has written five novels set in Ohio and Wyoming Territory during and after the Civil War. She has won numerous fiction writing awards and been published in Grit magazine, Chicken Soup for the Single’s Soul, and Carry the Light anthologies. She especially enjoys spending time with her granddaughter.

  Diana Walters earned her doctorate at Oxford Graduate School in Dayton, TN. She serves as the manager of an assisted living unit in Chattanooga. She and her husband are involved with ministry to people with dementia and their families. E-mail her at dianalwalters@comcast.net.

  Dorann Weber is a freelance photographer for a south New Jersey newspaper where she lives with her family, which includes dogs, cats and chickens. Dorann is a contributor for Getty Images and has a newf
ound love for writing. She has had verses along with her photos published in Hallmark cards. E-mail her at dorann_weber@yahoo.com.

  Maggie Whelan is the mother of eleven and the grandmother of eighteen. She is a retired Special Ed teacher. Maggie has had articles in local newspapers and in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Answered Prayers. She gives many different kinds of workshops and has found that writing is the best way to heal.

  Mary Z. Whitney is a regular contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. She also writes for inspirational publications like Guideposts and Angels on Earth magazine. Mary and her husband John reside in Ohio with their little dog Max, enjoying their grandchildren whenever possible.

  Whitney Woody works as a developmental editor. She is a proud graduate of Western Carolina University, with a degree in English and concentration in Professional Writing. When work is done, you can find her baking desserts, playing with her cat, or counting the days until fall. Her favorite holiday, of course, is Christmas.

  Following a career in Nuclear Medicine, Melissa Wootan is joyfully exploring her creative side. She enjoys writing and is a regular guest on San Antonio Living, an hour-long lifestyle show on San Antonio’s NBC affiliate, where she shares all of her best DIY/decorating tips. Contact her through facebook.com/chicvintique.

  Susan Kimmel Wright lives and writes in a 140-year-old Pennsylvania farmhouse, with her husband Dave and a demanding pack of dogs and cats. She writes mystery novels for kids and adults, as well as stories for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Visit her at susankimmelwright.com or contact her via e-mail at kidsbookwrighter@gmail.com.

  Meet Amy Newmark

  Amy Newmark is the bestselling author, editor-in-chief, and publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. Since 2008, she has published 133 new books, most of them national bestsellers in the U.S. and Canada, more than doubling the number of Chicken Soup for the Soul titles in print today. She is also the author of Simply Happy, a crash course in Chicken Soup for the Soul advice and wisdom that is filled with easy-to-implement, practical tips for having a better life.