December 24, 2010

Dear Ones near and far,

Its Christmas Eve day, and as I was sitting in my easy chair reading yesterday's news, both good and bad, I saw out of the corner of my eye, a lady coming up our front porch steps. I'm not sure if she had time to ring the doorbell before I had opened the door.

Thinking at first the dark hair belonged to my neighbor Nancy, who lives across the street, I opened the door and a stranger stood there. She said "Is Donna at home", and with that greeting I opened the door and invited her in. I figure that anyone who knows my wife, is probably not a stranger.

This stranger turns out to be Kathy, a friend of Donna's who used to come into the clinic where Donna was receptionist for Dr. Shields. This lady misses Donna's friendly face and smile, and is also the recipient of birthday cards, and cards that say "I care" that Donna so often sends out.

Her coming today, to share a small gift bag full of goodies, and to say "I miss you so much" was like getting the perfect gift. I could never go out and buy a gift that said as much. Her coming clear across town, not knowing where we live or how to get here, says a lot.

Merry Christmas Kathy, and may your New Year be filled with much JOY.

Gpa Howard