Some of my best
Christmas memories
are of my grandparents,
who visited us each
year from South
Alabama. ey both
worked in the textile
mill and didn't have
much money. But as
kids, we never knew
that. ey adored their grandkids, and we were
always excited to see them.
Our tradition was to go to church on
Christmas Eve, come back home and then open
gifts from our grandparents – we called them
"Santa Claus gifts."
What a blessing it was.
My dad used to talk about his Christmas gifts
as a child. Sometimes he only got fruit and
some candy. ose were his gifts, and he was
so happy to get them. To him and his siblings,
fruit and candy were true treats. I think about
that a lot because it's all a matter of perspective.
Regardless of what gifts they gave, my
grandparents knew how to make each of us
feel loved and special. And that was their
greatest gift.
After Marie and I got married and had kids, we
started some traditions of our own, while not
forgetting the ones we grew up with. Our kids
got to open one gift on Christmas Eve, just like
my siblings and I did. One year, Marie put fruit
in their stockings. ey still talk about that to
this day.
Our children now have children of their own
and have set their own traditions. And that's
how it should be.
You keep some traditions and pass them on
from generation to generation; however, be
open to starting your own.
It's really not so much the tradition as the
memories it evokes. It's the love, wonder and
excitement that fills you with warmth each
time you stop to think about that special time.
(Continued on page 11)
p.4
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Share Your Best Holiday Memories
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Q&A with Redstone's Cybersecurit y Expert
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"Let ters to Santa" Arrives in December
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