“WHERE is the yellow necklace now?” I asked.

My wife Robbie replied, “Heather has it.”

At Christmas, one sometimes thinks of earlier holidays. Memories of simpler times return to mull again.

The story starts in Alberton, Prince Edward Island. When I was nine years old, I received an American dollar from Emily Doiron (originally from Hope River), who worked in Lawrence, Massachusetts. When I think of it now, she probably worked hard for her wages and sacrificed to remember me at Christmas.

I remember walking upstreet to Burk’s store in search of presents for my guardians. With the dollar, I happily bought a pipe (for smoking) and a yellow necklace. The pipe was used, but the necklace remains in use.

Auntie Marie wore the necklace, and I thought it looked great. Eventually, she had it restrung and passed it to Robbie who later gave it to our youngest daughter, Heather.

Sometimes gifts become treasures and get passed around at Christmas. They represent sacrifices, feelings, desires to give, love of family and more.

Do you suppose this parallels the first Christmas, the three wise men and Jesus’ great love for us?

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