Our thoughts and prayers for the Lance and Richardson families on the loss of Denise on Dec. 12 at the age of 81.

Our deepest condolences to the Craig and Lapierre families on the loss of Zelma on Dec. 14 at the age of 80. She was the wife of the late Ronald Renaud and the late Maurice Lapierre. She was the mother of Dwayne (Juanita), Debbie, Brenda and Wendy (Glen).

Happy 64th birthday to Harry Dale who is celebrating his birthday on Dec. 23. Best wishes from your family and friends.

Again I ask for your indulgence in allowing me to reminisce some childhood memories of Christmas that are so precious to me. When I was quite young my grandparents lived two blocks away from us on Roslyn Avenue in Montreal. I had just opened my present and the doll wasn’t working. It was an early version of a talking doll. My grandfather said don’t worry “Poupuneski a leaping” his pet nickname for me, “it will work.” He proceeded to leave the house during the proceedings to go to the office 10 blocks away to retrieve his tools. True to his promise the doll was working and I can’t tell you what joy it brought to this little girl. My grandparents were a very good example of love. They were married for 54 years before my grandfather passed away.

I would like to end my column with a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all. I leave you with this beautiful prayer.

Holy Father, thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, your greatest gift of love to your people. Fill our hearts with such love, opening our hearts to accept your great love for us. Overflow our hearts with your love, so that we may pour into the world. Help us to love others as you have loved us — even those who aren’t easy to love. For following you means loving others as you love us. Lord thank you for your great gift of Jesus as we celebrate Christmas. May we ever walk in your love and show the world we are his disciples by the love we show others, keeping Jesus your Son close in our hearts. Amen.