By Vivian Conrad | Senior Center Director

I’m almost five years older than my brother, so he was still a teenager when I married and started my family. The year my first three kids were 1, 3 and 5, their fun-loving uncle decided to give them a holiday thrill.

As I tucked Jonathan, Jeremy and Joy into bed on Christmas Eve, my brother and husband were quietly climbing onto the roof of our house. Within minutes we heard a jingle of sleigh bells overhead that gradually grew louder, and the sound was suddenly accompanied by a stomp-stomp-stomping of many feet. Then a rich bass rang out the inevitable “Ho, Ho, Ho!”

At the first sound of bells, the older children’s eyes widened. When the “reindeer” landed, Joy immediately rolled over and scrunched up her face in feigned sleep. But 3-year-old Jeremy was beside himself. His chubby little legs pumping and arms flailing in excitement, he kept exclaiming, “Oh! Oh!” over and over. We almost didn’t get him to sleep that night.

That is one of my all-time favorite Christmas memories. Recollection of Jeremy’s excitement will continue to elicit smiles as long as I live.

Why is it that parents (and bachelor uncles) go to such great lengths to surprise and delight their children? The answer, of course, lies in love. Nothing compares to the satisfaction of seeing joy in the face of any loved one.

Christmastime is a celebration of love. Beyond the excessive commercialism, beyond the glitz and bustle, beyond the decorations or menu planning or party schedules – at the root of all gift-giving lies a spirit of selfless love. An attitude of patience, gentleness, generosity and service springs from a foundation of love, and is the truest reflection of the season. No matter the circumstances, criticizing, fault-finding and sharp tempers have no place in hearts that embrace the essence of Christmas charity.

During this time of giving, we would like to thank those who have so generously supported the Senior Center this year.

To Waddy’s Best Value Pharmacy for sponsoring our monthly birthday party.

To Cole’s House of Flowers for a beautiful floral arrangement given to one of our birthday celebrants each month.

To Brenda Lee for leading daily exercises.

To Lisa Clutts for sharing her November-December Avon profits with us.

To the beautiful ladies from Abbi Home Care, Mineral Wells Medical Supply, Palo Pinto Home Health, Mineral Wells Nursing and Rehab, IntegraCare, Lakewell House, American Hospice and Palo Pinto Nursing & Rehab Therapy who sponsor weekly games, donate party door prizes, conduct health checks and Health Education presentations and provide foot care.

To the Mineral Wells Index for running our weekly column.

To KMQX 88.5-FM radio for giving us a spot each morning.

To Eddie Gilley, Max Wheeler and all our band members for sharing their musical talents.

To United Way and the City of Mineral Wells whose grants enable our yearly budget.

To our board of directors who selflessly give time and energy.

And to the many, many other volunteers and contributors I can’t mention by name here because there just isn’t enough room.

On behalf of the participants and staff of Mineral Wells Senior Center, I offer a heartfelt Thanks to all the people and organizations who keep us running. May your lives be filled with the warmest of God’s love and blessings.