My fondest Christmas memory takes me back to 1996. The movie "Toy Story" had come out the year before, and my 5-year-old self was absolutely infatuated with Buzz Lightyear.

That Christmas, my family drove from our home in New Bedford to Dover, New Hampshire, where my grandparents were caretakers of one of the local mansions. They had their own quaint cottage on the property, which at the time boasted undulating hills and a sprawling pine forest, all covered in beautiful and flawless snow.

On Christmas Eve, we all gathered around the tree. To see us there was comparable to a Norman Rockwell painting, complete with stockings hung by the fireplace with care. Our night before Christmas tradition is for us young'ens to open one present before opening the ones that Santa would bring the next day. My grandmother was in charge of choosing which gifts to disperse to my sister and myself.

My grandmother, not being as spry as she once was, carefully tiptoed around the tree to choose our gifts. She picked one up and gave it to my sister, and then returned to the tree to retrieve a present for me. As she prowled around the tree, she took a misstep and stumbled onto one of the gifts. As soon as her foot hit the nondescript box, a muffled "to infinity and beyond" was heard throughout the living room, and everybody erupted with laughter. Her clumsy left foot had made the decision for her.

I eagerly accepted the gift as she handed it to me. With great anticipation, I unwrapped the box and took Buzz Lightyear out and marveled at the honest-to-goodness "movie star" that I held in my hands. I gave my grandmother one of the biggest hugs I could.

I've told this story on the air, but it bears repeating. The only movie that can make me cry is "Toy Story 3". SPOILER ALERT! The ending to that movie shows Andy giving away all of his beloved toys to a young girl. As he hands her Buzz, one of his buttons is pushed, and all you hear is "to infinity and beyond!" That sound instantly transports me to that Christmas, as tears stream down my face.

My grandmother is gone now, and I'm sad to say Buzz Lightyear was sold at a yard sale many years ago. I wish I still had him. More importantly, I wish I still had my grandmother.

The moral of the story is apparent, but in case you missed it: cherish each and every moment you have with your family and friends all year round. You never know when someone very special to you will become just a memory.

Merry Christmas!

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