Well folks, just glancing at the calendar and walking through a number of local businesses, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! It seems like just a few weeks ago summer attire, suntan lotion, and fishing tackle were adorning all the aisles, but now Christmas trees and decorations, Christmas cards, and Black Friday advertisements are everywhere.
I even had the pleasure of seeing Santa Claus, and he asked me to "take it easy" on the deer population so he could deliver presents to all the good boys and girls everywhere!
I guess I have to admit that Christmas is my favorite holiday. I do not particularly enjoy the hassle of Christmas shopping, but my birthday just happens to be on Christmas Eve. For many years, my late father-in-law Dick Baker and I celebrated our birthdays together. His birthday was December 23. Mine was December 24, and of course Jesus' birthday was December 25.
That was what we always declared the "Three Wise Men" celebration. I considered that quite an honor to be among that group of great men.
Since you now know when my birthday is, if you feel compelled to buy me a birthday present, I wear a size 22-foot bass boat with a 250 hp outboard motor with full electronics and powerful trolling motor. But then, I would just settle for some good words and praise about how much you enjoy my articles and podcast featured at the Kokomo Lantern website, Facebook and YouTube.
I must admit, Christmas seemed to lose a slight bit of the excitement when I lost my grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, both sisters, and one brother. It just seemed like we were such a close family, and then our children grew up, got married, and started their own families.
I missed getting up early or waiting until the kids finally went to bed to begin assembling Christmas gifts and watching their excitement on Christmas morning as they ripped open their presents. But then God blessed us with 10 grandkids and 12 great-grandkids. Shipping Christmas presents to Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah took a bite out of the checkbook, and we missed not being able to see everybody frequently.
Almost 60 years ago, it became a Christmas ritual that I erect a hunting and fishing Christmas tree in my den. My wife, daughter, and son started buying me Christmas ornaments that were associated with deer hunting, bass fishing, camping, etc. I have tree lights of fishing bobbers, crankbaits, shotgun shells, bass boats, deer, bass, and ornaments of Santa riding a red ATV, Santa hunting in a treestand, Santa hunting in a shooting house, Santa playing a Martin acoustic guitar, Santa fishing in a bass boat, Santa shooting a bow, and a few IU and Colts ornaments.
Some of the ornaments were purchased back in 1965 when my wife and I got married. It seemed like every year I acquired a couple more ornaments, and it is almost time for a larger tree to hold all my decorations. Yes, I am very proud of this tree. It is one of my treasured possessions. I have people stop by the house to see it.
I guess no matter how old I get, I will always harbor thoughts and memories of past Christmas gatherings with my family when I was a kid and all the fun we used to have. The fun of seeing Christmas through our own children's eyes and the excitement of the grandkids and great-grandkids will never get old.
Watching them get excited when they see Santa Claus and sitting on his lap brings back memories of when I sat on Santa's lap for the first time. When he asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told him, "Mr. Santa Claus, all I want is a fishing pole and a Daisy BB gun!"
I remember the jolly ol' elf smiled and told me, "You be a good boy and look under your tree Christmas morning!" I was so excited! Santa delivered a fishing pole and a Daisy BB gun. Even today, I like to get fishing tackle and guns. Merry Christmas to all my family and friends!