Well presents are under the tree, Santa has come and gone while the children still sleep. The pies are in the oven, while images of what Jessicas father will do with a fork and plate dance through my head, not a Kodak moment nor pretty site.
A quiet time for me as I think of Christmas's past, of being the son, the stepfather, the boyfriend and now the father. All the different places I have spent this Eve, Canada, Newport, Framingham, Jacksonville, Vietnam, Colorado Springs, Korea, Tacoma, Germany, Austria, Corpus Christi, Lamar, Grand Junction, Las Animas and Lajunta. Each one so different yet so simular. Family is what makes this special, Family may be fellow Soldiers, Sailors or Marines, made by Marriage or Flesh and Blood. Gifts can be used to enhance this special time, but by themselves will never make it happen, but seem to be more used for closure of this special time.
Gary L Senkus
Christmas Eve 2004