http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051223/NEWS01/512230304/1079/NEWSBack in 1984, my husband and I were celebrating our first Christmas as a married couple. We were both still in graduate school and were poor as dirt -- in fact, we saved aluminum cans to help pay for our wedding rings. That year, the Hawkeyes were going to the inaugural Freedom Bowl in Anaheim, Calif. My uncle happened to live in Los Angles and he surprised us by sending us tickets to fly out to the game. On Christmas Eve, my husband and I were driving to Lake City to spend the evening with his parents before driving to Omaha, Neb. Somewhere between Iowa City and Lake City, our car, "Old Blue," broke down. We were stranded on a cold December night, literally in the middle of nowhere. Luckily, a family stopped by, took us to their house and let us use their phone. (Remember the days before cell phones?) We were stranded at these people's house for several hours until my father-in-law and brother-in-law could drive the 100 or so miles to fetch us and tow "Old Blue" to Lake City. Of course, it was right in the middle of the family's Christmas Eve celebration. They were in the middle of making homemade pizza and were having a very nice evening. It had the potential for being a very awkward situation, but the family was so gracious. They invited us right into the happenings and we made pizzas with them, and it was such a warm joyous event we felt just at home. To this day, we don't know their names, nor do we even know what town we were in, but my husband and I established a new tradition. Every Christmas Eve, we make homemade pizza with our three children, and we say a blessing for that kind family that warmed our hearts all those years ago!
Linda Spencer, Iowa City
