Christmas of 1995 was a sad one for me and my family. My father died suddenly and unexpectedly of a massive heart attack December 10th. Although the tree and village were up already, no more gifts were purchased and no one celebrated. I couldn't wait to get the tree down, taking it down on Christmas Day and packing away the village. I didn't think I'd ever enjoy the holidays again.

The following Christmas, my dear friend Rita starting talking village with me as a way to get my spirit back. She had seen my village only once, but had endured HOURS of discussion about it. Little did she know what would happen next. I decided that working with my village was a way to keep the memories of all my family members alive. Rita contracted my disease and is now a card-carrying Village Idiot. About that time, Lemax hit Corpus Christi at Hobby Lobby, Walmart, Kmart and Jo'anns. We were like kids in a candy store.