A Christmas letter to our great-great-granddaughter Micayla. My wife is the former Eleanor Ivany, from Hickman's Harbour, Random Island. My Dearest Micayla: It is early Christmas morning 2009. I woke up this morning with a desire to write you this letter, regarding Christmas 2025. So here I am in my den, looking at three pictures of you: One when you were only a few weeks old; another when you were probably two; and, of course, my favourite, taken Thanksgiving 2008, when you came to me on your own and placed your two hands on my cheeks and kissed papa. This brought tears to my eyes, and will remain with me until my last breath. You most likely will be in your second year of college now. I hope that the reason for the season, the birth of Christ is still the centerpiece of this special day. My fondest hope for this day is that there is some peace in the world, and no major wars. I also hope that there is more respect for each others' beliefs, nationality and background. I can only begin to imagine what the world will look like in 2025. Will you go down to the kitchen for breakfast and only have to say, "For breakfast, I would like four pancakes," and they will appear along with your tea on the table? Will the automobile be replaced by a small type of aircraft for getting around? And when you get married, will you spend your honeymoon on Mars, instead of in Hawaii? I sincerely hope that they will have discovered cures for some of the major illnesses like cancer, diabetes and especially for Alzheimer's. Your great-great-grandmother died of this illness. When you think times are tough and someone has handed you a lemon, take the time and make lemonade out of it. (I cannot take the credit for this; it has been around for a long time.) Make time in your busy daily schedule to enjoy life to the fullest. Smell the flowers and the trees, visit the ocean and walk barefoot on the sands. Enjoy good music, whatever kind they have by this time. See a good movie. Visit a national park. Always remember to be kind and to love your mother, father and brother(s) and sister(s). You can be assured by your parents that you were greatly loved by Great, Papa and your Grandma Gail. Be sincere in your dealings with others. Always treat them like you want to be treated. If you make a promise, keep it. However, don't promise something that you know you cannot accomplish. Well, there you are, Micayla, my thoughts on Christmas 2025. Most likely the Great and I will be either gone, or at least I may be in the home. If the good Lord is willing, we might be around to see you graduate from high school. May God continue to bless and keep you is my sincere prayer and wish.   Submitted By: NULL