The Christmas of 1964 comes close to bringing tears to my eyes even today. We only got presents twice a year: birthday and Christmas. We each got three presents. Often what we got was clearly a cheaper version of what we wanted, but imagination made up the difference... More >>

Lately, I have felt like a lump of coal pushed in from all sides, so much so, I've said, 'I'm pooping diamonds.' My mom passed in our arms less than 2 weeks ago, my poor dad (married 59 years) is a wreck and needs a lot of help adjusting and lives 5 hours away... More >>

I just wanted to relay my thankfulness to parents in today's world who take the time to teach manners. This reminded me of a recent Christmas shopping story I have... More >>

It was December 23rd, 1954. We had just arrived in Santa Ana, California, after spending a year living in "West" Germany, as refugees from what was then, "East" Germany. I was barely 9 years old, but I remember it very clearly. More >>

When my son, Nick was in 3rd grade as usual we spent Christmas Eve visiting at my in-laws. All the local family was there for the evening. My sister, Lynne, was expected to arrive at my house on Christmas morning, but... More >>

After we were first married, we moved about 300 miles away to New Mexico. On Christmas Eve, my wife and I started to drive back to stay with her (not-so-nice) parents over the holidays. More >>

The Christmas of 1964 comes close to bringing tears to my eyes even today. We only got presents twice a year: birthday and Christmas. We each got three presents. Often what we got was clearly a cheaper version of what we wanted, but imagination made up the difference. More >>

We lost my 10 year old son for about a half an hour this weekend at our town's crowded Christmas tree lighting ceremony. I have never been so terrified and heartsick in my life! More >>

For some, family holidays mean one thing: run the other way! Here are some ideas that will help make holiday family time happy, not horrific. More >>

Giving your family a white holiday season they won't soon forget doesn't necessarily mean going skiing or sledding. Substitute white chocolate for dark in your holiday desserts, and you'll be serving up winter wonders that won't be soon forgotten. More >>