Good evening all!  The Greenville Christmas parade was this past Saturday morning.  It was a beautiful but cold crisp morning with the most beautiful blue sky and bright sun hanging high in the sky.  It was a perfect day for a Christmas parade.  Rob’s Hydraulics sponsored a toy drive for Beau’s Buddies and all the toys were donated to the Children’s Hospital.  Rob’s Hydraulics has been a big supporter of Beau’s Buddies and we can’t thank them enough for all they have done.  The Lord blessed them with a bunch of toys.  Jason drove the front end loader in the parade and it was piled high with toys and clothes. There was a big sign on the front that read “Beau’s Buddies Toy Drive – friends helping friends”.  Following behind the front end loader was a truck pulling a trailer (all decorated for Christmas) with more toys and another piece of equipment on it and carrying the board members of Beau’s Buddies as well as some of their family members/friends and employees of Rob’s and their families.  And, that wasn’t all the toys either because Jennifer and David still had toys in their cars.  As the parade proceeded down Evans St., they threw out candy and balls (Rob’s provided the balls).  My heart took a little flip when I saw the front end loader coming down the road pack with toys. There was a huge red fire truck on top and I know Beau was jumping up and down in heaven when he saw that.  There were also toy tractors and front end loaders – Beau’s other favorite vehicles. After the parade, Jason drove the front end loader filled with the toys to the Children’s Hospital.  I’m sure he got lots of strange looks as he traveled slowly down the road carrying his precious cargo – it might not have been a sleigh with 8 reindeer but it might as well have been.  The rest of us drove over and unloaded the remainder of the toys from the vehicles and piled them up on the sidewalk outside the Children’s Hospital. The Childlife staff brought 4 kids (that were currently in the hospital for treatment) down to see the front end loader filled with toys and to visit with everyone.  The two smallest children were riding in one of “Beau’s wagons” with their IV poles and masks on.  Let me tell you my heart stopped, I got a lump in my throat, and tears came to my eyes when I saw those two little children sitting in that wagon.  For a split second I saw our precious blue eyed little fireman sitting there. I was feeling sad and happy at the same time.  I was sad that Beau wasn’t with us to enjoy the day but I felt such a warm happiness knowing that so many children had used those wagons over the last year.  These wagons have made their lives a little easier and brought a little happiness to them. What a blessing they have been to the Children’s Hospital.  We took lots of pictures and the kids got to pick out a few toys each to take back with them to their rooms.  Someone donated the “egg car” as Beau and Kayla called it. One of the little kids sitting in the wagon got so excited when he saw that car and he had to get out and get in it.  His little feet were going as fast as they could pushing that car around and he rode in it back up to 2 West. We loaded all the toys into “Santa’s Workshop” where they will be sorted.  A lot of the toys in the Childlife room needed to be replaced and now they have the new toys to do that with.  Some toys will go to the children that will be in the hospital over the Christmas holidays. They received a printer and some other much needed equipment as well.  People gave so generously to this endeavor and we would like to thank everyone that donated toys or clothes. Proverbs 18:16 Giving a gift works wonders…. Psalm 23:5….My cup overflows with blessings.  It seems that Christmas has become so commercialized over the years and we tend to forget what it’s really all about. We get so busy with everyday life and trying to find that perfect gift for our loved ones and friends that we don’t stop and remember why we even have Christmas. The trees and presents aren’t really what Christmas is about but that is what is has become about.  It’s Jesus’ birthday – the most special day of the whole year.  It’s a time to celebrate the fact that God gave up His heavenly throne and came to earth to walk among us and to take on all our sins so we could be forgiven for our sinful ways/nature. It’s a time we can reach out to others and bless them and let them see God’s light shining through us.  I know I am so thankful for Beau’s Buddies and all they have accomplished in such a short time.  They have already been a big blessing to so many and will continue to do so in the years ahead.  And, it is because of so many of you out there, that they have been able to be such a blessing to our community.  Beau lives on in those little red wagons on 2 West and in the generosity of so many reaching out to help others.  May God richly bless you and your family in the weeks and months ahead!!   Love, Grammy