Some Christmas Memories

      I have been thinking a lot about some of the Christmas times that I had years ago. It brings to my mind what Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive. 

     I think of it being better to give than to receive in the context of the joy that I had giving presents at Christmas to my friend Toby. I remember some of the things that I gave him for Christmas, and his various reactions to these things still fills my heart with joy. 

     I remember one Christmas I decided to give him a treat that he really enjoyed. Toby liked turkey bologna. He was not allowed to have too much since it wasn't the best thing for him to have with his colon issues. If I gave him some, it was only a very small portion. However, one Christmas I decided that I would let him have half a slice for Christmas. He was so happy to get that you would have thought he'd died and gone to Heaven. What's even better is that it didn't cause him a single problem. 

     Another Christmas I decided that Toby needed a good warm coat to help him withstand the cold, Kansas winters. I bought him a red plaid coat for Christmas. I am sorry to say that this was Toby's least favorite Christmas gift of all time. I put that coat on him and he stood still as a statue and would not move. He hated it. It was funny though watching him stand totally still and not moving at all while he was wearing it. After much coaxing, he finally would go outside with it on if and only if I did not tighten the loop that went under his belly. 

     I had many many good Christmas days with my old friend. I bought him toys, gave him treats. One year I bought him a fancy color to wear when we went on trips. Another year he got what I thought was a beautiful leash of many different colors woven together. 

    Toby always liked his Christmas presents, except for the coat, and we had fun opening packages and making a mess of wrapping paper on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. He always had to inspect what everybody received for Christmas. 

     We always looked forward to Mom's great Christmas dinner. We enjoyed Christmas Eve dinner too. My Dad's children with his first wife and their kids came over on Christmas Eve, and we had a little party. On Christmas day Mom always fixed us a turkey and many other delicious things. Of course, Toby always got some so he could enjoy Christmas too. 

     Christmas is a time of joy, fun, love and memories. I look forward to being with all of my family again one day.