Christmas Stories.

Christmas Eve. Always loved it. My two favorite Christmas Eves. One was selfish. One was the true meaning of Christmas.

The first story is about the ultimate Christmas Gift for a seven year-old. We always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. That is when Santa came. The first story takes place in Pocatello, Idaho. We always had big celebrations. My aunt and uncle and their family always joined us. Neighbors also. We usually had fifteen to twenty for dinner. After dinner kids were sent to their rooms to wait for Santa. There would be bells and ho ho hos. We came out of our rooms and there under the Christmas Tree would be a lot of gifts. Us young kids would hand out the loot. As each present under the tree disappeared there was nary a gift for me. As I was wondering what bad deed that I had done that year to be ignored by the jolly old fellow the doorbell rang. Dad said "Bill, that is for you." I opened up the front door and looked through the softly falling snow to see a little Shetland pony tied to the tree in the front yard. Dolly and I would become the best of friends. We would share many fun moments. I was big stuff when I road the pony to school for show and tell. I also felt pretty darn independent when I thought I was adopted and would run away from home to my grandparents. Dad would come get me, Dolly would jump into the back of his truck, and we would return home.

The next story is the true meaning of Christmas. It takes place in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Again my aunt and uncle and their family joined us as did neighbors. There was an air force base in Klamath Falls. Again we had fifteen to twenty for dinner. What is a couple of more? We lived on the corner of Alameda and Highway 97. Our house was the last house on the way out of town going North. Again it was snowing that night. We were getting ready to sit down for dinner when Mom looked out the front window. Standing on the Highway hitchhiking were two Air Force men. Mom just couldn't stand it. She went out and invited the two Air Force men in for dinner. They accepted. After dinner each one of us kids gave them one of our presents (Mom guided us on which ones to give them) and then dad took them to the bus depot. He paid for their fares home. We heard from the two young men for several years after that. That was the true meaning of Christmas.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas Eve Day and a stunning Christmas Day. Today will be a day of love, cooking, eating, presents, presence, family, and watching my Mom in her element. Admiring her family. I always go to church on Christmas Eve and every year I take this though home with me:

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth
A peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father,
Brothers & Sisters all are we.
Let us live with each other
In peace and harmony.
Let peace begin with me,
Let this be the moment now.
With every breath that I take,
Let this be my solemn vow...
To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace and harmony.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.

Sy Miller
Jill Jackson

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Sister and yours truly at Christmas.

My favorite Christmas gift:

The dinner table.

From left to right Aunt Velma, Grandma Goldy,  Cousin Debbie (may she rest in peace), my sister's hair, my sister's boyfriend (Paul Thomas), me being lovely held by my Uncle Frank, Mom,  brother Grover, Grandpa Goldy, cousin Dixie, and Cousin Denny. Dad took the picture.