Joseph Morewood Staniforth, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
By Bill Stokes
Kickass, the doorstop dog, indulges the keeper as he—the keeper, remembers Uncle Alvin and a host of others who once were essential to a complete Christmas Day. They may be gone but they will never be forgotten, and the memories of them come back with painful jolts.
Uncle Alvin was the Stokes clan Santa for many years, and his annual appearance was the highlight of the Christmas afternoon gathering, which always ended early since everyone had chores to do and cows to milk.
It was all downhill after Uncle Alvin’s hilarious performance, and a great melancholy descended to mark the end of Christmas excitement.
At some point that sense of regret for things being over may descend on this Christmas Day, but it will be fleeting as the good memories of those gone and the joy of being with loved ones engulf the likes of Phyllis and the keeper.
