Christmas at Our House: A Paw Paw’S Legacy

By Charles N. Bennett

The collection of stories in CHRISTMAS AT OUR HOUSE: A PAW PAWS LEGACY, are the stories written by a grandfather to his grandchildren each Christmas since 1992.

It was at the insistence of his grandchildren that he decided to publish them, after they kept asking for a copy of the Christmas stories, Lauriel in particular, pleading for a copy of each one.

The family Christmas time now isnt complete without one of Paw Paws stories. The family gathers around and hears the Christmas story read from the Bible; afterwards Paw Paws story is read about one of the grandchildren, each one eagerly anticipating the story being written about him or her, before the presents are handed out. It has become a family tradition each year.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 12, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468588170

Charles N. Bennett

Charles N. Bennett lives with his wife, Diane, at Holden Beach, North Carolina. He got the idea for a story while driving to their daughter’s home for Christmas in 1992. It was thus that “Aaron’s Christmas Miracle” was born. Charles started his career as a high school French teacher and later entered the insurance business, a career spanning forty + years. Charles has written numerous articles for trade publications and he and Diane are public speakers at various business conferences.

Book preview

CHRISTMAS AT

OUR HOUSE

A PAW PAW’S LEGACY

Charles N. Bennett

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AuthorHouse™

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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© 2012 by Charles N. Bennett. All rights reserved.

Illustrations by: ED Wilson

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/05/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-8816-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-8817-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012906861

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Aaron’s Christmas Miracle

Caroline’s Christmas Dream

Little Girl Lost

The Canyon

It’s A Family Thing

A Lesson Learned

Follow That Star

A Family Tradition

A Matter Of The Heart

Christmas 2006

My Quiet Place

Traditions Grow Older

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To my daughters, Robin and Tammy, who gave us our grandchildren, Lauriel, Jonathan, Caroline, Heather, Jordan, Aaron and Montgomery, who are the inspiration for this book. Also to Diane, my wife and constant companion, who has lived all the experiences written about in this book, and who, with her inspiration and encouragement, was a factor in this publication!

A Father’s Christmas Reflection

By Richard Paul Evans

Christmas Night.

As the evening falls like a curtain on a long-awaited show, I hold my daughter, just one last time this season, in the warm bath of the Christmas tree lights.

And I wonder.

Have the Yuletide parties and gatherings filled her with a sense of family? Have the Christmas rituals united her in a shared commonality with her fellow men?

Has the music of Christmas healed her of a cynical world and inspired her with hopes of something greater?

Have the gifts she shared taught her that the greatest gifts are received in the giving?

Have the once-wrapped presents of Christmas reminded her of a greater gift given many Christmases ago?

And I wonder.

Is there enough awe in my child, enough magic left, to save a world? For within my heart I lament a great truth:

That the only promise of childhood is that it will end.

And I wonder what I have given her to take its place, and is it enough?

(Used by permission of Richard Paul Evans, Family Circle, December 19, 1995, Page 146.)

Richard Paul-Evans is the author of the best seller The Christmas Box, having written it for his wife and three daughters.

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Aaron’s Christmas Miracle

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It was that time of year. The feel of frost was in the air and all through the countryside you could see and smell the blue smoke curling from the chimneys of the distant houses.

The wind came whistling through the leafless trees. It wasn’t too long ago that the leaves were painted in bright red, yellow, and brown hues, before falling aimlessly to the ground. The wind came with a briskness so cool it would take your breath away.

Why, it was cold enough for mommy to say: kids . . . get your jackets . . . wrap up warmly . . . put on your gloves . . . it’s cold outside!

It was Christmas time. It was supposed to be this way. An excitement ran throughout all the land. Something was up and most kids this time of year anxiously know what it is.

Little Aaron especially wanted it to be very special this year. After all, Daddy was going to let him pick out the Christmas tree this year and he was so excited. What he wanted was a special tree and he just knew that his family would be so proud of him if he selected the right one. He was ready to go!

Now, Aaron wasn’t your ordinary little boy. Oh, he did all the little boy things like climbing trees, stomping through the mud puddles and pulling the little girls’ pigtails at church. But his special gift was his heart. You see, Little Aaron’s heart was as big as all outdoors. He was a special little boy.

He always checked on his dog, Lucy, to see if she was warm and