Guideposts

Papa’s Last Surprise

“Wow, Papa, you really went all out this year!” I could barely see my father’s three-foot-tall tree through the wall of Christmas presents around it. My husband, David, and I exchanged a look of surprise. Even our four children were speechless as they stared at the splendor before them.

Christmas was still a couple of weeks away, but we always celebrated with Papa early. The tradition had started in my childhood, after my parents’ divorce. Papa wasn’t one for lavish turkey dinners or noble firs, but I loved sharing

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