Last night, on the way to midnight services to celebrate our Savior's birth, my mind drifted back to a simpler Christmas & to my Grandfather. I remember following him up the "holler" & up a small ridge, where he cut our Christmas tree. Christmas to Grandpa meant orange slices, peanuts & candy corn, fruit of all kinds & assorted nuts. When you consider the present world of I-pods, laptops & cell phones, today's kids may not think much of Grandpa's goodies. And to be honest, maybe I didn't either back then. But, 20 years after his death, I'm remembering my all-time favorite gift -- a box of chocolate-covered cherries. I ate one a day, savoring them for as long as I could, like the memories of a carpenter, born 1900 years after a more famous man of the same profession. Thank you Grandpa & Merry Christmas to all my Raleigh County family & friends! If I night offer up a holiday suggestion, keep your focus on the simpler things. Sincerely, Mike Peters npeters102@aol.com