Sent by a friend. Goose bumps and watery eyes.

Larry G. Carmon is with Gunny Claus and Gunny Claus.
December 22 at 7:16 PM

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.

Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight!

Author Unknown

We are Bahá'í, but our faith says if you have friends or relatives of another faith celebrate with them to increase unity of family, people and the world. Besides, the kids got used to it from when they were little. Especially Jon, who is special needs and will celebrate any holiday/holy day with anyone.

So here from the Way Back Machine is Christmas dinner 2013, Jasmine, 19 at the time, decided she would do all the decorating (outstanding job), Mom would do all the cooking and Jon and I were assigned to "fetch and carry". Unless we drive over to visit her, we won't see her this Christmas. Being the newest Pediatric Resident at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, guess who has to work Christmas Day? In fact, she may still be doing double shifts (over one week already) due to so many MDs being sick with Covid, Flu Etc. It is something about they spend a lot of time around sick people and catch stuff.

Then a shot of Jon and the other people from BOT (adult special needs training center) on their trip to see the Bass Pro Shop Santa last week.

The giant Teddy Bear and freight car of gifts is from the Santa's Work Shop display in one of our car barns at the Railway Museum, where we have a family membership. I don't recall just which year. Due to Covid and other things, I haven't been out to the museum this year. I need to start going again, renew my operator's licenses etc. and just plain have some fun playing with trains and streetcars.

Santa Arriving at Track One!!! Can you guess why the train came into the station backing up?

And finally from 1973. This was at Debra's family's Thanksgiving dinner, but the outfits went on our Honeymoon with us after our wedding, Dec 8. We drove to Disney World, then to visit my family in Western Kentucky, and then to my Dad & Stepmother's for Christmas in St Louis. I still have the little 12" gold tree we got at Walmart for our bedroom at their house. It is on my desk right now for a new battery, aww, OK Goldie, the last picture is you!

On my first day in Costa Rica, the tour at the University of Costa Rica included a trip to the butterfly nursery that the University maintains. On the way there I had shots of some butterflies and a spider. At the nursery the very helpful staff took me around and showed me different patterns in the butterflies. This set finishes with two butterflies in waiting.

Comments and suggestions are welcome.

BTW my youngest grandchildren arrive today, so I will not be posting or visiting the Hog until after Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.