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Show k wywy'y v wcmf" IM If I Could Teach the World by James W. Powell Hell be Ml Tall Me About If Just Stuff by Leon Simister, Columnist by Jan 'Twas the Day After The house is still as die family sleeps in the wee hours of Christmas mom. The children, after much tossing and turning and giggling, have overcome their excitement with slumber. Outside, in the moon lit night, a shroud of snow blankets the quiet earth from frosted skies. as crystalline flakes fall feather-ligh- t In tiw living room the crackling fire is now but a bed of embers, glowing in die quiet night. The tall evergreen stands majestically in the comer. The ornaments, placed on the limbs with care by tiny hands, twinkle in the reflection of the sparkling lights. A bright star atop the highest branch casts a warm golden glow about die room. Stockings of red and green hang on the fireplace, packed with prizes peeking over die run. A white nativity, gently swept in angle hair, sits silently on the mantle. Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and three wise men gaze reverently at a small manger. Brightly wrapped packages sit under the tree, guarded by its reaching branches. A train set, a new bike, or maybe a dolly wait in the shadows for anticipating youngsters. A kind of quiet magic dances in the room. Soon the house will come alive with die squeals from each tiny tot and the magic of Christmas in each per- Christmas Several months ago, my girlfriend and I lost someone very close to us. After having complica- tions with his lower intestines, Lauries dog, Gilbert, passed away. The night he died was probably one of the hardest Ive ever been forced to live through. Having to cany him to die car and rush him to the vet; watching as complete strangers poked him and lode his temperature; waiting until die wee hours of the morning for the call from the veterinarian. . . it was all very difficult. Laurie and I cried a lot that night. When we finally heard Gilbert didnt make it through surgery, it was as if a very large part of me was ripped away, leaving a real, physical pain in my chest I couldnt imagine living without having him around, sharing in my daily routines. Gilbert was the most beautiful black lab youd ever see. And the kindest He rarely barked or pounced. Instead, he would simply share his love with everyone, whether it was with a friendly lick on the cheek, a gentle nuzzle with his nose, or just by being near whenever someone was home. I miss him dearly. You see, Gilbert was much more than just a dog. Gilbert was a good friend; a very good friend, and a big part of my family. But even more importantly, he was perhaps the only living creature I had ever met that loved me no matter what I did. His love was unconditional. He was always there to listen when I had a bad day at work or was stressed out over one thing or another. And he would never interrupt me with one of his own stories while I was explaining one of those things that only seemed important to me. Yes, Gilbert was a very good listener, the best And whenever I wanted to go for a run and get some exercise, he never turned me down because he didnt feel like it, or because he had better things to do. Nope. Not Gilbert He was always ready to go for a walk or a quick little jog. Sure, he was a dog, why would he say no? But I didnt see it like that There was more to it than that Sonehow.it seemed as if he was doing it for me. If it would make me feel better, he was all for it Unlike some other friends Ive had, Gilbert was always there for me. He had some incredible power that told him just the right time to lick my free, as if be knew somehow that it would brighten my day. He also had a knack of knowing, before I did, that what I really needed'was a hug." ' Waking up with his nose in my face never seemed all that wonderful at the time. As a matter Of fact it was sometimes rather annoying. But now that hes gone, I realize what those early morning sleep interruptions meant to me.- 'It meant that I had someone who counted on me, but at the same time, loved me just as much as I did him. There was no question about duo. I wish I could see him just one more time. I would love to spend an entire day throwing him the tennis ball and watching as he chased it with such glee, only to bring it back, drop it in my hand and do it all over again. I would love to go on one more run around the block with him. Or even have one last moment to pat him on the head and let him know what he meant to me. I understand that hes probably in a better place now, but that doesnt make me miss him any less. I miss him immensely. And although I sometimes catch myself looking around at my feet and expect him there, or sometimes I feel myself about to call his name, I know Ill never see him again. Hes no longer here physically, but hes never gone. Not truly. For anyone who was so loving and so fun, there will always be something left behind. Ill always have my memories.. . Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house Ya'oughta see the mess Santa Claus left for my spouse. Try as she might to wake me from my nap All efforts failed and I did not s tap. Thats par for the course, I heard her declare But she got my attention with her cold, icy stare. Cause Santa left chaos in the bouse where we live S'prised me all to heck; be had so much to give. Not one to indulge in meaningless chatter She knew that I knew twas a serious matter. Every room in the house, and the kitchen and hallways Bore Christmas toys, wrappings (serious litter) like always. sons heart Yes, the season is upon us. May you have a very, merry Christmas. And God bless us, everyone!" With a sigh, her attention she turned to the chores Cleaning up candy, food stuff and Smores. Smiling, undaunted, she cleaned things, no doubt In fact, just watching be plumb wore me out. Kids, grandlrids, friends, relatives and such Enjoy holiday activities -- like Christmas- - so much. Makes you wonder if reason is gone and insanity reigns And payiqg the bills (after) causes all kinds of pains. The buying and giving is not all that hard Its easy. You just use the old Credit Card. Some folks -- later on-ju-st hate to confess A kit of stuff bought the stores repossess. Not really the way they plan things n all Its just that when buying, some folks stand real laQ. Their eyes are just bigger than their wallets are fat And following the holidays, their bank accounts flat . r" . i' A ' Summit County Bee Office Hours . i 9J$ 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. a.m. and Tuesday: Monday - 8:30a.m.tolp.m. it Wednesday through Friday: i.- V V-- 17 South Main, RO Box : . , CoalviUe, UTV 84017, Theres all those things out there you just cant live without Just ask any salesman; hell stand there and shout Well, heres to the idea, Its more blessed to give... When receiving's the thing for which most people live. So dont knock the things you can't readily accept Avoid plunging yourself still more deeply in debt And join the ranks of folks who are cool Accept all those freebies; youre nobodys foaL You don't have to own a sled and reindeer To get into the spirit at this time of year. Attend all those parties and have tons of fun Stop at each house, (like Santa), then pack up and tun. Dont stay in one spot till they tire of your presence Share your Christmas Spirit, exude effervescence. And then when you tire of this yearly charade Theres New Years and Valentines and die Easter Parade. So when you re so tired your legs let you fell Just think, ...dash away, dash away, dash away all And when burdened too much with this Big Party site Say, Happy Everything to all, and to all a Goodnight. You did your best, have no few. Let it rest 101 next yew. Letters To TIhe EdiroR The Summit County fee welcomes Letters To The Editor oo a my subject They must adhere to the foUowmj guidelines: They must be received to the Coalville Officer M). Box 7, CoahM UT 14017 or the Kamas Office PXX lot 225, Kama UT 84036, no later than Monday noon to be considered for fiat week's issue of the paper coming out on Friday. The letters must be hand signed with Adi address and telephone number of the person writing the letter. No letter wil bepubWied under an assumed name. Name atay be withheld on request at the discretion of the editor or publisher of The Summft County fee. They must not contain Kidous or slandering materiaL Writers are Hmited to one letter in two weeks. Preference wfll be given to shor'typewritten (double spaced) letters permitting the use of die writer's name. Al letters subject to condensation If they are too long Air the space available. No endorsement let-te- n wifl be published as Letters To The Editor. The views expressed In guest editorials or Letters To The Editor do not necessarily reflect Ihe opinion of the editor or publisher or express the viewpoint of this newspaper. 17 South Main Kamas Drop-of-f P.O. Box 7 Coalville, UT 84017 at The Tack Shop 85 S. Main, Kama Buy "Turbo wll Stewart Recovering Dew James, Thanks for the copy of your paper. I arrived at This is the Place State Park on October 30,1997. A wonderful greeting awaited me from the members of the Wagon Train We had dinner and I was asked to tell about my journey across the trail. Larry "Turbo Stewart is showing signs of improvement each week. We are praying for his recovery. Once again thanks for the article (October 31, 1997). I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Yew. Sincerely yours, RussLeger Editor Sharon Pace ?uir r- Melanie Tnwnlpy CormpondentOffice Newspaper ProdCbailation Office Karolyn Fox Jennie Ferreira Christine Caldwell LaRee Pedro Dave Godfrey Bruce Welch Mona office Office OfficeClassifieds . AdvertisingMarketing AdvertisinjjMarketing AdvertisingMarketing . Olsen, Joanne Archbold Advertising Production Advertising Production Press Kathy Langston Jay Provost Dan Cariile Mike Burton . Brad Cariile. Randi Harrison, Kim Horrocks. Daren North. Paul McFee Ken Hastings . Shayia Cariile. T.J. McPhie . BinderyPress Bindery Bindery .Distribution Production Manager Production zzr. Sgysg uca,zr:: ."'Mg .Production Michelle Rose. KariGibb Leon Simister. Inserted Flyers. 1 84036 Publisher CoPubHsher office Manager Susan F. Buys, Nancy LDavis James Letters to the Editor 336-550- UT Sports Editor m. Columnist DEADLINES .Monday, 4:00 pan. .Tuesday, 4:00 pan. Triday, 4:00 pan. .Monday, 4:00 pan. Tuesday, 4:00 pan. Display Advertising. Display Classifieds. -- Classified. Legal, Articles, Announcements. PRIfF Wedding, Engagement & Anniversary articles Pageants and Special Events with Photos ; Missionary Farm.mll. Missionary Return All Birthdays. Card of Thanks. MemorialTribute. Obituary AmNTiON: ReNEWaIs TO ,'5eadi photo 5 .No Charge 5 5 .1 1W SuMmIt CntiTy Bff Al renewals to The Summit County Bee should reach (he CoririfecvKnaiOffee lnonfar 'Would you care to order a videotape of Dr. Peters performing your triple bypass , Mr. Bonkman ?m 10 yMme on voa The Summit County Bee (UPSP 525640) it published weekly for $16.00 mp year In Summit County, Senior Citizen Discount $13 in county and $2100 pervew outokounty by Wave PuWsWng, fee, 675 West 100 South, - Heber OtvUT Coalvile, UT MASTER. Send address changes Coalville, UT 84017. roSTATlDEhmFI(TION flrr p n Rn 7 A. |