Come One Come All ....and I Do Mean ALL!

There are some things in life that are as constant as the sun rising in the east every morning. The Annual SUAH Christmas Party is one of those events. It's not a fancy event, that would not fit the crowd or the bosses budget but it is a kicker all the same. For days dad hunts through every store in town to find needful, creative, sometimes downright stupid (but rarely over $10) gifts to wrap and put in the pile of larder for the anticipated BINGO entertainment. It takes the two of us a couple of nights and several large rolls of wrapping paper and Scotch tape to wrap the mountainous stack of prizes. Of course, there is always something that stalls at the clinic moments before closing time, or rather the genes just won't go against their embedded DNA strain and the entire staff is waiting patiently in the back room of Sizzler for the host to arrive. Meanwhile the host is making several trips to the truck with garbage bags full of presents. Looking around, you aren't sure if you are in the right place. It could just as well be a party for the mentally challenged, troubled youth, senior citizens, or CVHS youth leaders. The one common bond between this unseemly combination of personalities is the simple fact that they all love animals and they love their boss. Looking across the room, I see Jenny, a mentally challenged, middle-aged woman that just lost her dad. Her voice carries like a boom box and she is delighted to make comment on every happening. The kind family that took her in sends a family member as a date. JoAnn the ever stable, never faltering, friend to all, is milling around the room bantering with the young kids that have been under her tutor since first day of training. Her fingers are bent, her walk is a shuffle, her hair mousy gray and in need of a stylist. To my kids, she's just Aunt JoAnn. Brent, our down-syndrome friend brings his cousin to the party because he doesn't want his best friend to miss out on the fun. He was so excited he called the office half a dozen times the afternoon of the party to check on the details. "Can I order shrimp?" The rest of the room is a collection of employees from all ages. One just returned from a mission to a job he started as a twelve year old. One is saying goodbye as he departs for a mission in Georgia. Jocks, cowboys, feminine, studly, and some we aren't sure. Riotous uproar begins the moment dad turns crank and the first number ball falls down the slot. Guffaws at the Guitar Hero boxers won by a girl, the bald head winning the silver hairbrush set, or Brent having his prized hiking shovel stolen by another contestant are just part of the fun. (We laugh because he does his Christmas shopping at the office party) Our most entertaining addition this year was McKye and his discovery of the goods you receive upon winning at Bingo. He won a toy tractor and a spinning toothbrush. He threw the tractor aside and was most excited about the toothbrush. When he tried it out, he also discovered that his front tooth was loose ( extremely). All in all, I hope all of you remember your dad for his big heart and his open door policy. I decided tonight that we need to rename the clinic. The Come One Come All Animal Hospital. The ability to truly love and care about people of all walks of life is his most precious gift. So.....until next year, I'll just be satisfied to reminisce and chuckle. The open door policy of course spans all family and friends. So, the next time your in town in the middle of December, come on by. We take all kinds.