Merry Christmas from Greg Schierbeek
My wife and I went out Thanksgiving weekend and got our Christmas tree. We’ve made it a family affair in the past and taken the required Christmas card picture, but it was busy this year, and so we went to the garden center and bought one. 
We, as in my wife Betsy, had it decorated before the kids went back to school the following Monday. Some outdoor lights went up, and the Christmas CD’s came out of the stereo cabinet. I don’t know if we needed the CD’s as the radio stations had been playing Christmas songs since Halloween.
We’ve survived Black Friday, a plethora of holiday parties, the onslaught of a 10 lb newspaper full of advertisements and many other reminders that we are supposed to spend, spend, spend. And WOW has it been busy!
As our kids grow up it seems as though life goes faster and truly becomes a blur. Just yesterday I was sleeping on the couch with my daughter snuggled on my chest, and today 
I’m listening to stories of how her friends have banged up their cars (3 in the last 2 weeks) while sitting white knuckled next to her as she drives. Not so long ago we were playing volleyball with Betsy’s dad while today it seems impossible that he’s already been gone from us for a year.
I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for your friendships. We seldom slow down and do that. We complain about the economy in Michigan, about the gridlock that affects our political parties, about society with all of it ills. We have so much to be thankful for. 
There has never been a country that has awarded its people with so many freedoms including the greatest of these, the freedom of religious worship. We often take it for granted.
Take a moment in the next few days, or better yet the next few hours and spend time with your family, snuggle with your daughter or son, put down the paper and call your father-in-law. Thank a veteran or stop someone in uniform and just say thanks. Throw some change in that red kettle at the mall. Thank your friends for “being there.” 
Most of all, remember the real reason for Christmas. Remember that it is only the birth of the Savior that is important. Take the time to read the Christmas story again, Luke 2:1-39, and share it with your family.
God Bless You All,
Greg Schierbeek
9 Responses to “Merry Christmas from Greg Schierbeek”
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HOPE U HAVE A GOOD HOLIDAY SEASON AND YEA, WE NEVER DO SLOW DOWN AND THINK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE AS FREEDOMS. RELIGION INCLUDED!!! MERRY X-MAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Merry Christmas Greg!!!! AMEN!!! are lives sound much the same, its great to slow down and realize the real reason for the season
Thanks for the best wishes, and I return the same to you. I have had an
account with Eiken. for nearly 30 yrs. (I don’t feel that old!) and have never had anything but good service and friendly people. I appreciate your honesty and good morals and your calenders with scripture verses.
The real reason for Christmas is normally forgotten today. Wish you and your family a safe and blessed New Year!
Merry Christmas to you and Betsy and your family. It is incredible where time goes. It really does go fast when you are busy.
Glad you are taking the time to celebrate the real meaning of the season. We are celebrating Jesus birthday with our kids too. So glad they all love Him.
Thank you for all you do for Phil and the company. It has been a rough year but God takes us through, day by day.
God bless you all!
The Ouwingas
Merry Christmas Greg, family and all the employees at Eikenhout. It has been an extremely ruff year for our company. There wasn’t much work out there this year. We were pretty much doing more then just roofing to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. Yet I am very very much Thanksful for the little bit of work that we did get. I was just thinking yesterday that I too wanted to take a moment and write a short letter to Thank all the people in our life that made it possible to still have a job. There are so many people that have lost their jobs in Michigan and have moved on to different states to find work. Yet we seem to find just enough to pay the bills and stay a float. Next year will be much better and I believe that God has a reason for everything and in the big screme of everything he has a plan…
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Greg,
I loved reading your story this morning…thank you for slowing me down in the rush of the season! My children are young (although growing fast, our family is in town) and I will look forward to making time for them…as you have the true meaning of Christmas, and it was nice to read. I’m off to play Disney Monopoly this morning with the kids!
Merry Christmas!!!!
Angie Machin
Greg, God bless you and yours and thank you for years of friendly service. Nels and Fred in the Petoskey store do a great job for us here at Harbor Builders. Looking forward to a better year in 2010. Brett Swiss
thank you eikenhout employees and owners especially shane for always watching out for us.People like you make all the difference!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully 2010 brings in more oppourtunities to do business together thanks to you all and merry Christmas!!!!!!!
Greg,
Thanks for the timely reminder of what is really important as we move forward in the new year. Just returned from a few days in the Tampa/Clearwater FL area. Our son Brian and his wife put eight of us (including 3 grandkids) up for a few days over Christmas. Did it “feel like” Christmas without the snow. Oh yeah! With all three sons around the table with the wives, it was a truly blessed time.
Time spent with family is what really counts, especially at this time of year.
A really big thankyou to the Eikenhout staff who have been so consistent this year in going above and beyond to meet our expectations and needs. In the face of challenging economic times, it’s helpful to have a solid supplier backing us up.
Have a Blessed New Year.