‘Tis the season once more, a time for gathering with loved ones to embrace the true spirit of Christmas and usher in a New Year. Our tradition, rooted in 1976 with my father and his first grandchild, Angela MacDonald, has flourished over the years.
What started as a simple snapshot with each new grandchild has evolved into an annual ritual. This year, in addition to mine, I am including his first and last grandchildren column before his passing in 2001.
Fifteen years ago I restarted the tradition with my first grandchild. Today, wife Karla and I are seven grandchildren strong. They are, front row from the left: Robert MacDonald, 7; Weston Clerc, 6; Odett Mungure, 3; Fraya Mungure, 5; and Mattesse Mungure, 8. Back row: Owen Rohrs, 13; Papa Tom; and Emma Rohrs, 15.
We would like to wish all of our subscribers and readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Grandchildren are special and this being a special season the writer of this column thought what better way to bring a Christmas greeting. Grandchildren help parents bring back memories when their children were small; the joy of hugging an infant and the magical touch when the squeeze is returned from those small arms.
It erases your problems for the moment and makes the world around you appear brighter and happier. Of course, I suppose the first grandchild takes that special place in your heart and when she visited the office recently, this snapshot was taken at granddad’s desk. The warmth I feel when she is around I hope will transfer to each of you as we extend our most sincere appreciation for your support and encouragement this past year. May your Christmas be joyous and the new year be good to you.
It’s that time of year again as the grandkids get together for this annual photo session to wish all of you the best of the holiday season for the year 2000.
And, we are, from the left, back row: David Poff, Daniel Poff, Matthw Poff, Grandpa and Grandma, Dustin MacDonald, Jason MacDonald and Michael MacDonald. Front row: Morgan MacDonald, Angela MacDonald, Jennifer Poff, MaryBeth МасDonald, and step-grand-children Jasmine and Amber Murphy. May you each be blessed with good health and happiness in 2001.