Susu, my imaginary granddaughter, is looking forward to her first Christmas. As I invented her less than a year ago, this will be her first. I, myself, have foresworn the celebration of the holiday for more than twenty years as I participated in my wife’s Jehovah’s Witnesses’ beliefs. They reject the holiday as a pagan invention. I don’t argue with their right to believe what they choose to believe. But as I can no longer conform to their strictures, I have reignited my interest in the cherished memories of the holidays in my past. Particularly relevant now that my parents are both gone from this world.
“So, you are going to play Santa and give me a present, Grandpa?”
“Yes. But since you are an imaginary child, Susu, it will probably be an imaginary gift.”
“Oh, good! That means I can ask for a purple hippopotamus… with wings!”
That, of course, makes me laugh. She has her father’s sense of humor.
This will be a December to Remember. There’s a song in there somewhere.
Catch a Falling Star 
Flying hippopotami. Best carry a BIG umbrellie!
And made out of porcelain or stainless steel.