This Christmas Night

Married for over sixty years, my Grandma Evelyn and Grandpa Gerald had more kids than fingers to count on, but they were bighearted with their time and energy. At Christmastime, they dressed as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and visited those in hospital and in need.

Sadly my Grandma Evelyn passed away in 2012. Before her death, she struggled with various health problems. Her federal health insurance provider, whom I'm not sure I can legally name, refused to cover the costs of her care. They told my grandpa to divorce my grandma so that he would not be financially responsible for her.

My grandpa refused. The love he had for my grandma was too strong.

Eventually, the health insurance provider did cover some of the costs, but not all. To pay for the rest, my grandpa had to drain his life savings, but it wasn't enough. A $30,000 lean was slapped on his home.

An 89-year-old veteran and family man with a gentle humor that has earned him the nickname Smiley, my grandpa often reminisces about the fun he had with my grandma, especially their time as

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

It was his idea to put together a book of the funny things kids have blurted out to him over the years while he was dressed up in his red Santa suit. It was my idea to sell the book to the public this Christmas in hopes of raising enough money to pay off the lean on his home. No hardworking American should have to choose between divorce or financial security, especially not the elderly.

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