These are the first of the holiday memories the Appeal has been asking readers to send to us. We'll run them between now and Christmas. There's still time to send us your memories. Send them to P.O. Box 1948, Carson City, 89702; drop them off at 580 Mallory Way, e-mail them to editor@ nevadaappeal.com or fax them to 887-2420.
They should be true, legibly written, and no longer than 500 words. Please include a name and phone number and label them as "holiday memories." Photos that illustrate the stories also will be accepted.
Remembering the time when the dog ate Santa
One lovely Christmas many years ago, my sister - 5 and a half years my senior - and I burst from our beds in pajamas and grins, slight bits of foam in the corners of our mouths ready for presents! Under the tree was one of those giant two-foot long bones, with meat attached. My sister instantly went white and screamed that the dog had eaten Santa! We all still have a chuckle over that one.
Jeni Wolford
Carson City
A loving memory of Dad
As the holidays approach, I am always reminded about my dad. He was a large man but very romantic. We never had much money but he always made Christmas special. After Dad prayed, on his knees, most of the time with tears in his eyes, we exchanged gifts. We laughed as Dad passed out the gifts and shook each one to see what it was, and teased each one of us with his antics. Then when things were seemingly over Dad would take mom by the hand and sing to her in his very special voice and waltz her around the living room, with all the clutter - packages, paper and bows - that goes with Christmas. Then he would kiss her tenderly and we knew there were no other gifts that would stay in our memories more than Dad loves Mom and Mom loves Dad.
Wylanta Keeling
Fallon