Nothing Says “I Love You” Like a Hedgehog

Introduction

Each year on Valentine’s Day I pick out a little figurine, stuffed animal or trinket to give my wife.  This year’s model, a hedgehog.

For the first time ever my daughter accompanied me when I went out to find that perfect “I love you” item.

Yesterday morning, when I presented my 2014 model, my daughter asked her mother how many of these items had she kept.  After she asked I thought, good question, how many are still in existence?  After all we are talking about 28 Valentine’s Day items.

The Big Reveal

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Merry Christmas Grandpa

Introduction

On Christmas Eve 2001, and continuing into Christmas day, I spent Christmas alone with my Grandpa.  That’s right, just the two of us.  My wife and children had gone to my in-laws home; my side of the family was gathering at my Uncle’s house.  This Christmas it was just going to be me and grandpa.

Less than two months before my Grandma had passed away.  She died in early November, one month short of their 74^th wedding anniversary.  It wasn’t a misprint, almost 74 years of marriage.  As you might have guessed they started their marriage at a young age.  After a long drawn out courtship, two months, they were married and began their life together.

The Setting

In the 1980s my Grandpa had major health issues that changed him.  The damage sustained during these days quickly took away his ability to function independently and do the thing he loved the most, preaching the gospel message of Jesus Christ.