ten—and filled—there would undoubtedly be ….

ten—and filled—there would undoubtedly be a sharp rise in the health and wellbeing of the population.”

The meditation continues with “The best OA meetings are those in which there is the most laughter. To those irrespressible souls who find humor in their experience—and share it with us—we owe a large debt of thanks.”

True enough: Blessings to the comedians and humorists in our midst. They know how to dance in the rain.

Fred Wind, Mutual 12

A Letter Perfect Christmas: H equals Henry; L equals Linda; R for Rylee; R equals Ray; another R equals Raneen; A for Alyssa; B for Blake, and A for Ava. M is for Maria. J is for Joel; R for Reuben; B for Bradley; E for Elijah. S stands for Sarah; L for Lucas; W for Wilma; F for Fred.

Chocolate letters: In November, shop at the Holland-American Market on Belmont Street in Bellflower.

“Are the chocolate letters in yet?”

“Yes, we just shelved them. Look in the back.”

A Christmas tradition—all the kids and grandkids get the initial of their first name. We shop early while all the letters are still in good supply. The J’s, for instance, disappear fast. There are a lot of Johns and Jacks and Joes and Jills and Jessicas around.

We’ve gotten to know everyone’s preference for milk or dark chocolate. And there are two sizes, large and small. Everyone’s preference is large.

We wrap the individually-boxed letters and place them under the tree. Five years ago, we made a mistake. We forgot to identify each package as we wrapped them. Seventeen identically wrapped presents, same size, same wrapping paper. That year, with a lot of laughter and good-natured ribbing, we all got the wrong letter.

The J’s invariably claim to feel cheated because it seems M’s and W’s have more chocolate. It is pointed out to them that the boxes say they are all equal by weight.

The chocolate is eaten in a way commensurate with the eater’s personality. The aggressive ones tend to immediately break off chunks of their letters and devour them. The reflective ones nibble. They tend to be more imaginative. An R will be nibbled to a P, which further will be slowly diminished to an I. In a way, that person gets to eat three letters.

There is something sweet about traditions. Heartwarming. All the kids know what’s coming. It is not a secret. But they all look forward to the chocolate letters. It is the wonder of predictability in an increasingly rapidly changing world. And what else has never changed? Our love for each other. Merry Christmas!

Ethel Carter, Mutual 2

From the time I was old enough to understand the meaning of the words “Christmas” and “gift” (in the late 1940s), I remember on Christmas mornings, members of my family would compete with each other in trying to be the first to say, “Christmas gift!” My mother and dad and my older sister and brother would then all laugh and congratulate the “winner.”