Hello. The cutout cookies are gone. The meat and cheese trays are empty. The wrapping paper is but a wisp of smoke. Another Christmas has come and gone. It disappears as quickly as it shows up on Halloween. Thankfully, some memories will linger. The group of friends and family who gathered at the house on Christmas Day, the walk through the snowy field with our grandson and the looks on the kids faces.

One of the regulars in the bar said last week, "Christmas is for the little kids anyway." Sadly, she is right. The surprise and joy seem to be lost on the "big kids". Why do we grow out of such wonderful moments? Does society drain the child-like awe from our souls? It's sad that we are continually told to, "stop acting so childish!" Who ever thought that is a bad thing. I believe many of us could benefit from some childish behavior.

Did you notice how the "big kids" open their gifts. They carefully loosen the bright wrapping paper, take a quick look inside the box and set aside another pair of socks or the video game they asked for. No excitement, no face-splitting smile, just a look. It's too bad. I'm guilty of this myself. Last year I left a few gifts lay on the floor of my bedroom for months before I even acknowledged their existence. Our grandson tore open a package, pulled out the Spiderman sweatshirt inside and shouted with true joy, "Who got me this, thank you SO much for getting me this!" The simple fact that someone gave him a gift was good enough for him.

But as we get older the giving, the receiving and the reason all get taken for granted.