34 | SUNRAYS
DECEMBER 2013
ONLINE:
SCTXCA.ORG
A Chranukah Story
Since our family has mixed cultures and religions, I invented
the holiday of Chranukah, a mixture of the celebratory as-
pects of Christmas and Chanukah, so that everyone feels
included. We have ham and potato latkes, light the menorah
candles, and play the dreidel game.
I even had T-shirts made with the Chranukah photo seen
above.
We also have a Christmas tree, under which are gifts. We
read books about both celebrations. It keeps life interesting
and fun!
―Susan & Joe Gomez, N15
A Great Christmas Surprise for All
O
ur young grandson was enamored, as many young boys
are, with firemen and fire trucks. We supported his great-
est desire to be a fireman by purchasing realistic boots, pants,
jacket and a hat over the prior year. He came to our home in
Sun City Texas to celebrate Christmas with the family at the
age of three.
Unknown to anyone, earlier that fall Grandma and Grandpa
were roving the isles at Academy and came across a small
peddle fire truck―on sale, I might add―that was unassembled.
We thought it would be the great gift. We purchased the small
fire truck, assembled it and stored it in our neighbor’s home.
The grandson and parents arrived several days before Christ-
mas. We did not reveal the gift to anyone―we wanted a big
surprise for all. On Christmas Eve, we were talking and the
grandson revealed that he wanted a fire truck for Christmas.
WOW! Grandma and Grandpa chuckled, but not out loud as
the grandson’s biggest wish was about to come true.
That evening after the parents and grandchild were in bed,
we went to our neighbor’s house, gathered the fire truck, came
home and placed it under the tree. To everyone’s amazement in
the morning the fire truck magically appeared as requested.
The looks on the faces of the parents and grandchild were one
to remember forever.
In the days that followed, we pushed the fire truck and grand-
son up and down the streets of Sun City, putting out all of the
imagined fires that could exist. Upon their return home, we
disassembled the fire truck and shipped it to the East Coast
for reassembly and many great days to follow.
Oh to be a young boy again! What a great surprise and enjoy-
able time for all involved.
―Submitted anonymously
Holiday Memories
Sun City Texas residents share their
memorable holiday moments
