A living lesson in unconditional love  perkins1.JPGLouis Tarzia
Christmas has not been the same since my grandparents passed
away. That were Louis and Queen Tarzia, of North Syracuse.  My
grandpa was a candy and cigarette salesman. He serviced all the
inter-city small stores in Syracuse. In his travels, he noticed
all the needy families. He had a meager income and my
grandmother was a housekeeper. He would always box up toys and
clothes for the needy. He never wanted anything for himself,
except for his family to be together.  Christmas was magical in
their home. They did not have a fireplace but instead a
cardboard brick fireplace with a fake red flame. The mantle was
covered with angel hair and Syracuse Emkay Christmas candles.
There were reindeer, Santa, elves, angels and Christmas candles.
These were never lit, just brought out year to year.  My
grandmother always made sugar cookies and all kinds of delicious
food. It was the gathering place for all our family on Christmas
Eve and Christmas Day. While we