When I was a kid, this was my favorite time of year. My siblings and I would get up early to see what Santa Claus brought us. When I say early, I mean between three and four in the morning. As we sneak from our bedrooms to the living room, we would be surprised by my mother guarding the entry. With our eager and impatient hearts, we would return to our bedrooms to wait a few more hours to see what we got.
When my kids were little, I braced myself for some payback on Christmas day. I stood my post for the first few years, but no kids showed. In fact, they never snuck into the living room like we did. Fortunately, they were the smart ones. They got up well past sunrise. Once they woke up, their expressions when they saw their gifts were priceless.
Today, though I don't have the youthful eagerness anymore, it is still a day to celebrate and be thankful. I'm thankful to my family and friends, as well as my coworkers. I remember those who have passed and am grateful to have been a part of their lives. That's one of the reasons for the pic in this post. It is of my grandfather, who was the toughest and one of the funniest men I ever knew. He would have been 102 this year.
There's plenty to celebrate. Spending time and talking to family and friends top the list. Five years ago this month, I published Rickshaw, New Mexico. It's my best selling story and a good reason to celebrate today. There are more stories in the pipeline. Timewatch, the sequel to Rickshaw, is 90% ready. It still needs some fine tuning, as does Justice and Second Chance.
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. Celebrate and be grateful for those who care for and love you. I hope this is your best Christmas yet.
