A Celebration

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 I actually have celebrations throughout the year.  But since 2011 Christmas has been a special celebration.  Everyone needs special celebrations throughout the year.  We need to have special celebrations for life.  Christmas has been a celebration with family and close friends.  

The Christmas of 2011 was special because I lost some 30 pounds due to my heart attack.  My wife has a Christmas picture of me from that year and I’ll admit I look pretty sickly.  But I’ve kept the weight off and try to walk almost every day.  I was thankful just to be alive.  

The holidays have been special since 1993. This year is no different.  I remember throughout the year.  Some days are more special than others.  We’ll have two Christmases this year.  Our son and his gang will leave the 22nd and my wife says we’ll have a family Christmas on the 21st.  

Then we’ll celebrate again on the 25th with friends.  Christmas is special every year with the holidays beginning on Thanksgiving.  So, I think of this time of year as being special.  It’s only about a month until New Year’s.  Every day during this time of year is special.

It’s a period of time I celebrate life and living.  I don’t do anything special but remember the times past we spent with family and friends.  After the kids grew up the holidays were pretty quiet with just my wife and I until the kids came home.  But the time was always special.  This year is no different as we await my son’s arrival from Ohio.  

I smoke a pipe so I can take time to remember.  There is a lot to remember after some 74 years of life.  So, today I remember.  I’m smoking my La Roma Valencia pipe with some Crooner pipe tobacco.  My coffee this morning is Mayorga.  Thank you for your time and Peace and Love with each one of you.

Papa Chasteen

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