CHRISTMAS

The sleets bouncin off the gutters tonight,everybody's asleep,and I'm sit'n here thinking about ''long ago'' Christmas's,you know, the Traditional one's..Every year on Christmas Eve Mom,Dad,my brother Joe,and I would head to my Auntie's and Uncle Tony Gagliano's on Smart & Indiana.The earliest years were truly a wonderful time.I remember Grampa Cologero walking in with a proud look on his face,having private talks with his sons at Auntie's kitchen table,all us kids making popcorn strings for the tree,never getting tired of stareing at Auntie,and cousin Marie's glass cabinet full of antique Dolls.All the aunts and Uncles were there.Some years Aunt Mary Lou and Uncle George Pavarini would fly in from New York,Uncle Johnny and Aunt Freda would drive up from Pueblo Colorado with the family,always loved seeing them.And of course,everybody couldn't wait to see Uncle Tony Taibi arrive from Colorado in his Big gold Chrysler.So,even though many years have passed,as have so many members of our family,the memories are as vivid as if nothing changed.so,on this Christmas Day,in memory of all of our family that have passed,I'd like to wish a MERRY CHRISTMAS,and a HAPPY HOLIDAY season to all of us who remain to carry on and create new memories,and traditions for our children.