I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Christmas. This is a magical time of the year. Mind you, I realize that this is also a time for missing loved ones, but it is such a wonderful season. Anything that has such a rich history and evokes intensely strong feeling always has to have a flip side. Why else would all these crazy people protest at Christmas? Do they protest Ramadan or Hanukah? Do they protest Halloween? No, they want us to get rid of our heritage, and replace it with their what? I for one am going to continue to share the love of Christ in spite of naysayers. I will light my lights and give my gifts, because that is what my Savior did for me.

All we grandparents are being blessed by our children and grandchildren. Those bright expectant eyes just warm your heart and delight your spirit. The whole wonder of Christmas comes alive in them. It makes my Christmas every year. We discussed my front gate at length and have decided that more is better. I have been instructed by my little ones to get more lights! I may have to put up a sign warning motorists at night, but that’s okay it’s just for a few weeks!

I’m headed to Dallas tomorrow, then another round of family visits. I do have one toy that may have to go in the back of the closet. It causes more fights than WWF. It’s a great game. Discovery Kids produce many excellent toys. The one I have is a marble tower. You join all these parts, turn the marble loose, and depending upon your construction you have a wonderful ride. What happens is everyone wants to use the same parts, and then things don’t work. Before you know it, there are tears and complaints, and time out! I think next year this will be a group activity with everyone participating, adults included. We’ll see if that works any better.

This is going to be a short column this week. If everyone wants to have their visitors listed next week, drop me a line or send an email. I have a new phone system so you can leave messages. Please remember to spell clearly or some strange name may emerge. I had all my children this month as well as all eight grandchildren. Life can’t get any better than that!

Once again, may God bless each and every one of you. Please pray for rain, for our country, and our precious troops who are away from home. I offer a heartfelt thank you, to all the families, who are coping with their soldier being absent from the family gathering. We appreciate your sacrifice. God bless America.