Ren Summerlin I have long ago gotten to a place in my life that company or companionship near the holidays is more important than the gifts someone gives you.

But this year my mind has changed. My direction in life has changed and some other things too. As many of you know, my son Sam passed through the Valley Of The Shadow of Death. This took place on March 17. I am sure without a doubt that he is with his Redeemer. On his last breath Sam opened his eyes, and I could see almost a sigh of relief.

Where has the time gone?

Anyway while crawling around in the attic looking for the Christmas tree, I found some things that Sam had given me in the past. A side note; this year is the first time I have put up a tree in some time. But it seemed like the thing to do. Two of my friends put the tree together for me, and we had some laughs doing it. J J had a basic idea, and Jennifer helped him with encouragement and laughter. Eventually she did give it some shape and purpose.

Back to the story.

Please do not misunderstand. I miss my son as much as any parent can miss one of their children Also the holidays approacheth, I know too that I could not have gotten this far without God. And those of us that do not put more of Christ in Christmas, then shame on us.

I don’t have a lot of decorations. When Sam moved out and started to make his mark on the world, he carried many of them with him. He had pride in what he did. At this time of year he would begin to decorate.

A frenzy is a good word to use here. He went at it with a passion. A mission to accomplish. But his was the most decorated and prettiest house in that part of town.

Living in the country, I had little desire or need to do a lot of decorating. I would be about the only one to see it. But Sam worked in it as if it was his life’s calling.

This year times are different. So this is what I am going to do. I am going to take some of the things we shared in the past and put near the tree, maybe some on it. With all due respect to God and Sam, there might be a shirt hanging on the tree. Maybe a tie or two. One of the letters he wrote me or an email, there will be

lights and other things too.

Yes, this Christmas will be different, but in a way I can celebrate it with my son.

Yes there will be food and memories.

Merry Christmas, Sam. I love you and miss you. But I am not putting that gosh awful tie you gave me that changed colors in different lights. But I might. He had his Daddy’s sense of humor.

Some time he would put his Christmas wish list on the refrigerator or inside the refrigerator, my pickup truck, on the carport door and once he even mailed me one from our home.

Yes, he did.

All of you. Let’s enjoy the good times and make more good memories.