Happy holidays

Eva · Post by **Eva** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 10:42 pm

I wish everybody a very good X-mas and a Happy New Year... let every wish come true for everyone.....

Just a little story that people should think about on New Years Eve.

The Little Match Girl
by Hans Christian Anderson

Once upon a time . . . a little girl tried to make a living by selling matches in the street.

It was New Year's Eve and the snowclad streets were deserted. From brightly lit windows came the tinkle of laughter and the sound of singing. People were getting ready to bring in the New Year. But the poor little matchseller sat sadly beside the fountain. Her ragged dress and worn shawl did not keep out the cold and she tried to keep her bare feet from touching the frozen ground. She hadn't sold one box of matches all day and she was frightened to go home, for her father would certainly be angry. It wouldn't be much warmer anyway, in the draughty attic that was her home. The little girl's fingers were stiff with cold. If only she could light a match! But what would her father say at such a waste! Falteringly she took out a match and lit it. What a nice warm flame! The little matchseller cupped her hand over it, and as she did so, she magically saw in its light a big brightly burning stove.

She held out her hands to the heat, but just then the match went out and the vision faded. The night seemed blacker than before and it was getting colder. A shiver ran through the little girl's thin body.

After hesitating for a long time, she struck another match on the wall, and this time, the glimmer turned the wall into a great sheet of crystal. Beyond that stood a fine table laden with food and lit by a candlestick. Holding out her arms towards the plates, the little matchseller seemed to pass through the glass, but then the match went out and the magic faded. Poor thing: in just a few seconds she had caught a glimpse of everything that life had denied her: warmth and good things to eat. Her eyes filled with tears and she lifted her gaze to the lit windows, praying that she too might know a little of such happiness.

She lit the third match and an even more wonderful thing happened. There stood a Christmas tree hung with hundreds of candles, glittering with tinsel and coloured balls. "Oh, how lovely!" exclaimed the little matchseller, holding up the match. Then, the match burned her finger and flickered out. The light from the Christmas candles rose higher and higher, then one of the lights fell, leaving a trail behind it. "Someone is dying," murmured the little girl, as she remembered her beloved Granny who used to say: "When a star falls, a heart stops beating!"

Scarcely aware of what she was doing, the little matchseller lit another match. This time, she saw her grandmother.

"Granny, stay with me!" she pleaded, as she lit one match after the other, so that her grandmother could not disappear like all the other visions. However, Granny did not vanish, but gazed smilingly at her. Then she opened her arms and the little girl hugged her crying: "Granny, take me away with you!"

A cold day dawned and a pale sun shone on the fountain and the icy road. Close by lay the lifeless body of a little girl surrounded by spent matches. "Poor little thing!" exclaimed the passersby. "She was trying to keep warm!"

But by that time, the little matchseller was far away where there is neither cold, hunger nor pain.

Kissssss! Eva

maddi · Post by **maddi** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 10:52 pm

A beautiful picture Eva, you look gorgeous, I suspect they will all come crawling out of the woodwork now - bless their simple minds -but you can't help but love them - well some of them anyway

.

Maddi

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 11:52 pm

Hi Eva!
What a lovely young lady--Ive just shown son Jamie your post& photo--all he wants is your telephone number ---and er where you live!
Hes "gutted" at he spent a few months i n Holland earlier this year-in Almelo---but says he wouldnt have minded travelling across country!
Hes all yours --take him -PLEASE!
Have a wonderful Christmas --love Elliex

petermeachem · Post by **petermeachem** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 12:01 am

That is such a sad story. I read it to my daughter once and we both ended up in tears.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 12:27 am

I agree Peter--it always made me cry too as a child

But surely Evas sweet face cheered you up?
Standby for lots of fan"male" Eva

charles · Post by **charles** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 3:17 am

Dear Eva,
Thank you for this beautiful but sad story...grown men do cry as well...

will · Post by **will** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 5:42 am

Hi Eva,
Didnt read the story...cracking photo though.
What are you doing later?

Eva · Post by **Eva** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 9:37 am

Thank you for the compliments.

This story is special to me ever since I was a little girl but didn't hear it for a long time. Last weekend I went to this little village near Amsterdam with two little kids. The whole town was dressed like the the books off Charles Dickens. It was beautifull to see. There was warm wine and as we where walking throught this town we saw a little house that was lighted only with candles. In the house was this story teller who invited us to listnen to his story... The Little Match Girl.... The two kids where crying at the end of the story and even I had to wipe a tear. It reminds me off the people who don't have the things we just take for granted. People who don't have a home in this cold. It makes you respect the little things in life more. Sometimes it is good to remember what you have. A home, a heater, food on the table everyday, friends who love you!. What do we want more..... oh yess.. 1 thing.. live in a town called Carvoeiro..

And in two weeks I will

. and I will be thankfull to that.

Eva

CM · Post by CM » Tue Dec 16, 2003 9:46 am

Eva

Let me know when you lose your eyesight and sense of smell, maybe we could then meet up.

Happy times to all

CM

Eva · Post by **Eva** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 9:51 am

Let me know when you lose your eyesight and sense of smell, maybe we could then meet up.

what??

I am not english, so some things I just don't see the message in. What does this mean. Lose your eyesight and sense of smell........

Thank you

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 10:06 am

Eva,

I think CM means that he is ugly and smelly, therfore....

------

Thank you for the story - nowadays Playstations, Action Man and Barbie have not left much room under the Christmas tree for tradition.

Happy Holidays to all

Eva · Post by **Eva** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 10:11 am

hahaha, oke, thank you for the explanation. That is a sense of humor CM, I will not lose my sense of humor

CM · Post by CM » Tue Dec 16, 2003 10:20 am

Oh yeah nearly forgot, you will be needing that!

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 11:57 am

looks like youve cracked it with "Will" Eva!
But will "Will" be in CVO in 2 weeks?
Wouldn't mind betting hes booking his flight right now

Caught son phoning for any cancelled flights to CVO----looks like it could be showdown at CVOs OK Corral

or should that be at the "Roundup"

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 12:10 pm

hahahaha, there will be a showdown everywhere in CVO. I heard there are a lot off things to do in CVO at new years eve, maybe will ran in to your son haha, gonna be crowded with nice people over there.
Still have to find a place to have dinner though with my friend.!!!!!!!!!!! hmm! What is nice that evening?!?!