DEAR ABBY: I have a Christmas story I would like to share with you:
Just about 14 years ago, our family spent the Christmas holiday skiing at Keystone, Colo. On Christmas morning, as is our custom, we were all gathered in the living room, opening our presents as the radio played lovely carols. Our grandson Peter, age 6, struggled up to me with a large box he'd obviously wrapped himself with many pieces of Christmas wrap and lots of Scotch tape! Placing it in my lap, he said, "This is for you, Granddaddy."
I, of course, showed great excitement to be receiving anything so large. With great ceremony, I carefully unwrapped it. I looked inside and said, "Well, Peter, what a joke you've played on your old grandfather -- you forgot to put anything in this box!'
With a startled look, he raised on his tiptoes, looked in the box and then looked at me, saying, "Oh, no, Granddaddy, I didn't give you an empty present. I filled it with love!" In that moment, our 6-year-old grandson gave us a gift we shall never forget and taught us the true meaning of Christmas. -- DAVID B. PICKFORD, CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA
DEAR MR. PICKFORD: Thank you for sharing your priceless gift. You should be very proud of your grandson.