A Christmas story from Michael Noland
Via his mailing list, a great Christmas story from State Senator Michael Noland.
December 23, 2009
These are hard times for the good people of Illinois. This holiday season is unlike any we are likely to experience again for a long time. I’d like to share a Christmas memory of when times weren’t so good for me and my family, and I could hardly imagine a future as state senator.
In June 1976, my step-father, finding it difficult to make ends meet as an accountant, decided a career change was in order. A serious and talented lyric tenor by training, he thought breaking into the music industry might improve our fortunes.
So, we left Springfield in search of work. We traveled to St. Louis, Dallas then back north, landing in Schaumburg by fall. There, he continued his attempt while my mother and I waited tables at a nearby hotel. By Thanksgiving, however, we were evicted from our apartment. We decided to journey to Florida in hopes of finding work during tourist season. However, that Christmas we found ourselves flat broke in a Tampa motel. That was the year Santa left no presents because, as we told my five-year-old sister, “He just didn’t know where to find us.”
With tips earned New Year’s Eve, we decided to return to Illinois. Trading personal belongings in exchange for gas, we drove north into a winter storm. Aggravating matters, the heater on our 1967 Plymouth Fury gave out. Shivering, we arrived in Elgin where we turned to Elgin Township for assistance. There, we were provided a box of dry goods and a voucher for a stay at Elgin’s old Douglas Hotel.
By January 1977, my step-father’s unemployment arrived and we rented an apartment on St. Charles Street. My sisters and I enrolled in U-46 schools. Later that year, my parents, under the strain of financial hardship and years of emotional turmoil, separated and divorced. My mother, three kids in tow, had to accept food stamps and public aid. Soon after my mother and sisters moved away while I then 18 stayed behind. As years passed I worked my way through college, law school and served a stint in the Navy. Through hard work and determination I became state senator in Illinois’ 22nd District.
And so, I have a two-fold Christmas wish for the people of my district during this difficult year. First, I wish for them to know that never in the long history of our nation has there ever been any economic hardship or uncertainty about our future that we, as a people, have not been able to overcome. We will get through these difficult times. And when we do, we will be stronger and more prosperous than ever before.
Second, more importantly during this difficult holiday season, I wish for them to remember that the important bonds we have with one another are what make life worth living. Cherish these bonds and remember that life’s hardships are softened when shared with those whom we love and become more navigable when undertaken together.
Happy Holidays and God Bless,
Senator Michael Noland
Illinois’ 22nd Legislative District
Do you have your own Christmas story to share?
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Mike,
Thanks for sharing your bio. I never realized how hard you had it. Just goes to show what determination and persistence can bring if you keep on keeping on.
Merry Christmas to all Elginite readers and posters.
Rate state Sen. Michael Noland’s performance in office:
Should be replaced ASAP (54.0%, 7 Votes)Generally poor (38.0%, 5 Votes)Excellent (8.0%, 1 Votes)Generally good (0.0%, 0 Votes)Total Voters: 13 Poll results from The Elginite 12-23-09
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Nice little story there Mike. I wonder how many people are telling similar stories this year because they find themselves out of work following your party’s outstanding economic policies in Illinois.
The best thing that could ever happen to the working class of this region would be if Mike found himself unemployed this time next year.
Nice try Mike. I’m sure you had no idea that they were trying to get Steve Rauschenberger off the ballot. You can fool some of the people some of the time but, you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. Have a very Merry Christmas and remember ‘the truth will set you free”.
What happened to the spirit of Christmas? Let’s see if we can hold off on the criticism for a few days. I’m sure we can do it.
Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I’m blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on20blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God’s eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God. And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus’ example – to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It’s the best response when I’m pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can’t pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can’t find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don’t know You intimately. I pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those who don’t believe. But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my s isters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly. This is my prayer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Well written David
I give thanks that we have the opportunity to oust Noland after one term.