For this Christmas season, I am going to post happy Christmas stories from a variety of sources.  Today’s stories come from Buzzfeed at http://www.buzzfeed.com/colinheasley/heartwarming-christmas-stories

The Laundromat

All throughout my childhood there was a homeless man who slept in our local laundromat. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas my mom would cook a big spread and we would take him a heaping plate and I insisted on hugging him. It is one of my favorite memories, and probably one of the reasons I ended up in school for social work.

The Christmas Cat

As a child, like most any child, I always wanted a kitten. My mom would never hint at getting me one, but if I queried, “Mom, can I have a kitten yet?” it would be followed up with typical Mom Speak: “Are you ready to handle the responsibility?” Of course, the answer was, always, that I could.

Christmas Eve 1992: My mom was out of the house, but it did not seem odd to me — like any other day, errands need to be completed. It was about 11:30 in the morning, and my mom came in the front door of the house carrying a cardboard box. “Allison, come here,” she said as I curiously made my way over. She put the box on the ground, and I saw this little black and white paw stick out of the box. What was my reaction? Joy? Elation? Excitement that my wish was finally coming true? None of the above.

“I CAN’T HANDLE THE RESPONSIBILITYYYYY!!!!”

Though the shock hit me like a ton of bricks as an 8-year-old, I had Kevin (his name, after Kevin McCallister from the Home Alone films) for 17 years, as he died after a good, hearty life on Aug. 30, 2009 — a date I can’t forget. I was, of course, sad at the time, but so happy I had him. My baby Kevin was the best Christmas present I’ve ever received. He brought me pure joy. Every Christmas, I remember him fondly with a big smile on my face.

I hope these stories make your Monday happy.  More to come.  Happy Christmas!