HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO OUR FORUM FAMILY
It has been another great year for us. We all have come a long way in this past year. Our learning curve climbs to awesome heights thanks to the sharing of one with another in this forum. We are especially fortunate to have many very knowledgeable people here as members that play Technics Keyboards.
We are really blessed with the talents of Cees and Larry in developing their websites for us to post our songs on. I am especially thankful about this because it has taken a load off me and freed up some time for other pursuits. Yes, I do have a life, too and a wife too
Thank you to all the new members that have joined us this year. We extend the right hand of fellowship to all of you and invite you to make your posts and share your music and songs.
Thank you to all those that have posted songs for us to download and those sent to me to share with the email lists.
Thank you to Nigel for continuing to provide this forum for our Technics Family. We need to also thank his family for sharing him and family finances to keep this BBS going.
I don't know what the new year will bring but I am thinking positive and hoping for something really great. I am sure we will see a lot of new developments in the year to come.
Merry Christmas and Happy Next Year All Year to All Our Forum Members. We are family

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BEBOP
Moderator SynthZone TECHNICS FORUM
http://www.synthzone.com/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&number=25
Bill Forrest in SAN JOSE, CALIF. USA
bforrest@ix.netcom.com ICQ # 562519
Homepage http://www.anycities.com/bebop/

Merry Christmas to BEBOP and all the members here on the forum. Here's to another great year together online.

Hi, and Merry Christmas to everyone.

This Christmas my wife and I decided not to exchange gifts. For years I have wanted to enjoy what I feel the Christmas holiday was truly about. (My belief) Our Children, and Grand Children stayed in their northern states, New Hampshire, Colorado, and New York.

We were very much on our own here in Florida.
Christmas Eve we attended the service at our church, My wife and I felt different, we were open to recieve. Today we are surrounded by special feelings. They different, They are warm, and so very deep. I truly feel we are feeling the lord's presence. Please accept what I written as my feelings. No offense to those with different beleifs.

Wow, That's really sharing my feelins,I felt is was important to share them. Next year, we'll add our Children, grandchildren, and some presents to what we have this year.

My the good Lord smile at each one of you, on this special day, John C.


[This message has been edited by bruno123 (edited 12-25-2003).]

John,

Thanks for sharing your feelings...it's OK.
After all HIS name - Emmanuel - means 'God with us'...that's the best news of Christmas! Christmas blessings to you and all the rest here in this group, regardless of your religious persuasion.

Tim

Here's a poem I wrote a few years ago when the kids were younger. Bebop asked that I post it here.
Merry Christmas all!

Dad's Night Before Christmas
by Don Mason 12-24-95

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the pad,
Everybody was sleeping except for old Dad.
Max was snoozing in big brother's bed, with visions of supper still fresh in his head.
Donny zonked out in a bag on the floor, dreaming that Santa would come to the door.
Mom went to bed, 'though worrying yet, that all the kid's wishes would somehow be met.
The presents were all by the tree in a pile, and old Santa Claus would be here in a while.
Max left him some milk and some cookies to bite,
In case he was hungry from his long Christmas flight.

Dad sat in the office, with his IBM,
Deep in his thoughts, which was hard work for him.
It was one in the morning and all through the house,
The only sound heard was the click of the mouse.
When all of a sudden a strange thing occurred,
Dad was surprised by a sound that he heard.
Was it just Uncle Scott, home late from his hunt,
That made an almost imperceptible grunt?
Or was it the jolly old elf come to call,
Bringing Christmas gifts and joy to us all?
Dad stopped his computing and sat very quiet,
Straining to hear with all of his might.
Was that a faint footstep he heard in the hall?
Or did he just imagine it all.
He slipped like a mouse to the office room door,
And just slid it open two inches, no more.
He still could not see what was making him start,
Was it hoofbeats above or the thump of his heart?
He stood very still with his ear to the door,
In hope he'd be able to somehow hear more.

And then in the night, he heard a gruff voice
Say "This is a tough one, I must make a choice!
The kids in this house are basically good,
But they don't always behave as well as they could.
Are their good intentions enough to get by?
Or should I take to account all the times that they cry.
Do the times that they act right make up for the way,
That they sometimes don't listen to what their folks say?"

Dad listened intently to the words that were said,
Was it Santa that spoke them, or was it all in his head?
Then it suddenly hit him like a truck in the night.
That nothing's all wrong and no one's all right.
All we can be is the best we can do,
And how far you go is all up to you.
Your parents will not always be there to guide you,
You'll have to get by on what's deep inside you.
And Christmas is not about gifts that we get,
It's the love of our family we'll never forget.
Dad made his decision as we all knew he would,
'Cause giving kids presents makes daddies feel good.

Was Santa Claus here in our house last night?
I believe that he was and to prove that I'm right,
You can run to the tree Christmas morning and see,
The kids are both smiling as wide as can be.
If that's not enough proof, there is one thing more--
Are those cookie crumbs there on the living room floor?

DonM

Hi Don,

I enjoyed your poem. You are very talented. The message in your poem is similar to that in the story Bebop's neighbor, Pete, shared with us. Its about the meaning of family. Wonderful story; wonderful poem. Thanks for sharing.

Best Wishes, Chuck

Thank you Don Mason for sharing your poem with us.
Don lives down in Louisiana and is a working musician. His work is really first class. We have downloaded and listened to some of his work and really like it. My wife thinks he is Jim Reeves all over again, who was her favorite for many years. My wife is from Kentucky for those that don't yet know that. YOu want to hear some Don Mason, go over on the General Arranger forum and look under his nick and find his home page and check it out. Maybe he will see this post and put it up here for us too.
Thanks again Don for sharing.
Bebop

Don Mason, you're a special man. I copied your letter, it will be mailed to all those I care for.

Thank you, John C.

Thanks guys,
Bebop, Here's my web site address: www.donmasonmusic.com
Will probably update this weekend sometime, though I have an awful cold and don't feel much like working on it right now!
DonM

Don,

Jan is right, you are a great country artist with a Reeves voice and styling.

Your poem and christmas song come from a many talented man.

thanks for sharing,

Fran in Florida

Thanks Fran,
I notice you are retired USAF. Did you ever get to Barkdale AFB in Bossier City, LA? I'm playing there New Year's Eve at the Officers' Club. In fact, I play there at least once a month.
DonM

We wish everyone a great year and look forward to hearing lots of music from you all.
You can send your songs to Cees, Larry or Bebop to get them out to all our members. We are happy to help you share your music for all our members to enjoy
Welcome to our many new members.
Best to all
Bebop