When Glen opened the door to the wood stove , he yelled , “ Look at this !”
DECEMBER 2016 and serene as we entered the parking lot . People were friendly as we walked in and the service was very inspiring . On our way out , each one of our kids got a brown paper bag full of peanuts , fruit , and candy . When we got to our car , we couldn ’ t believe our eyes . The entire station wagon was filled with presents and food ! We looked around , but couldn ’ t find anyone to thank . We drove home in wonder and awe , and took the presents into the house . I remember a basketball for our son , dolls for the girls , and a ham for us all . The rest is kind of a blur . Christmas seasons come and go , and I have to admit , we have Santa as part of our tradition . Our grandkids leave him some milk and cookies every Christmas Eve . I still don ’ t pinch or shake packages , I prefer the surprise . But no present I have received has ever surprised me as much as the car full of love that my family received in 1987 . v
stove , and made a pact not to tell any of our siblings about our discovery . Christmas morning came and just as we thought , the presents were all there . I have to admit , however , that the thrill of opening the presents was not . I felt somehow cheated because I knew in advance what I was getting . From that time forward , I have never pinched , examined , or shook a package that I was going to receive . I think the surprise is worth the wait . The Christmas of 1987 , I believe , is my most memorable . Times had been a little rough in our household that year , and I ’ m not sure that our three children were old enough to understand . My wife , Rita , was working at a part time job and I wasn ’ t working at all . It didn ’ t look like we were going to have much of a Christmas . It all started when I decided to finish a college degree while working full time . My hope was to work my way up the corporate ladder at Style Craft Furniture
where I was employed . That didn ’ t seem to be happening , so I accepted a position as an Insurance salesman for Farm Bureau Insurance in Spirit Lake , IA . In the fall of 1987 , I decided this was not for me and started looking for employment elsewhere . Since I was selfemployed , there was no unemployment compensation available . Things were looking bleak .
When Glen opened the door to the wood stove , he yelled , “ Look at this !”
Rita and I decided to give the kids what we could , and make the best of our situation . We were driving a station wagon , and on Christmas Eve , we attended church as a family . I remember the luminaries looking very beautiful
DECEMBER 2016 and serene as we entered the parking lot . People were friendly as we walked in and the service was very inspiring . On our way out , each one of our kids got a brown paper bag full of peanuts , fruit , and candy . When we got to our car , we couldn ’ t believe our eyes . The entire station wagon was filled with presents and food ! We looked around , but couldn ’ t find anyone to thank . We drove home in wonder and awe , and took the presents into the house . I remember a basketball for our son , dolls for the girls , and a ham for us all . The rest is kind of a blur . Christmas seasons come and go , and I have to admit , we have Santa as part of our tradition . Our grandkids leave him some milk and cookies every Christmas Eve . I still don ’ t pinch or shake packages , I prefer the surprise . But no present I have received has ever surprised me as much as the car full of love that my family received in 1987 . v
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96833Fbo _ DL _ GiftofWinning _ Dec _ JuliensJournal _ AD _ Size : 7 ” W x 4.5 ” H _ 4C _ Drop Date : 12.1.16 Julien ’ s Journal ❖ 31