AN ANGEL TRADITION

Kathe M. Campbell is one of the most amazing women I have ever known. She helped me when I had a tremendous task to accomplish, that of bringing a summer camp project for several hundred Cub Scouts to a happy and successful week of adventure. She worked as an executive organizer of Cub Scouts Packs and as a trainer of adult leaders. We even took a 20-member group of Explorers (high school age boys and girls) on a week long back packing trip into the wilderness of the Montana Mountains. My wife was along as was Kathe's husband and it was such a success we were visited on the trip by a famous writer of youth publications and his story of our adventure was published in a national magazine. Kathe was very successful and never shirked from a task I assigned her. She has become and excellent writer and her "ranch" life is an adventure of it's own. She is a wonderful gal, tough enough to overcome some very challenging physical hardships that most of us will never face. I am proud of working with her and I compliment her on what she has accompished with her writing.
Bill Sallee, Retired Executive with the Boy Scouts of America.

Thank you, Bill. You've warmed the cockles of my heart while I await a Canadian deep freeze later tonite. Having been sent to our beloved Montana, as we both were, didn't hurt us a bit and ended up giving both of us plenty of writing fodder for our old age. I'm so honored that a man with your talent even looked at me twice back then, but oh what days we and our Explorers had and what memories to recall. Forever your's and Judith's adoring friend....K

Thanks for sharing your special Christmas story. What a wonderful gift of the heart you gave to your community. Giving & caring brings such joy 'Christ' style.

Kathe, this was a delightful story, perfectly told in all its wonder and glory, as always. Congratulations on another successful depiction of days gone by. Aren't memories wonderful?
Love you,
Maria

Oh, Kathe, you never fail to capture my rapt attention with each of your marvelous stories! I always know that the rich details and ofttimes humorous goings-on will have me smiling, even if through tears. Love this Christmas story and my only regret about it is that I wasn't one of those little children back then who got to go on a sleigh ride and then chat with Santa. You probably packed more "magic" into that holiday event than most folks there ever experienced elsewhere. Looking forward to the next holiday story from your memory box ~
Blessings,
Sandi in FL.

Dearest Kathe,

Another terrific story, one that warms the heart and brings a smile to the face. You never disappoint a reader.
Love you,
Nancy

Reading such a wonderful story can normally make one think, Oh yeah, this sounds wonderful, but nobody is that good. Until of course they come to know Kathe Campbell and all the wonderful things she does all the time, together with her late husband Ken, and having a lot of fun doing it. They have proven the addage, "It is better to give than to receive," so many times over. With them it isn't something special at all. Just their normal way of life. They are indeed THAT GOOD!

Fred Wickert

Truly delightful photos and story, Kathe! Just in time to put us in the Christmas Spirit, and wish we had been on that Montana mountain! Excellently written as always. Carol

Dear Kathe:

This loving sharing of a Christmas story reminds me of some of my adventures as Mrs.Santa. I did it for 20 years, come what may. My OR call would be covered by a friend and Santa and I would detail one of our spouses as a sleigh driver and off we would go. Those years were in Nova Scotia and were some of the best of my life. Maybe I'll start the tradition in my new community.
Thanks for another caring and loving story, from a life filled with wonderful goings-on!!
You are blessed in so many ways.
Bonnie J-Lowe.

By all means, be a Santa or Santa's helper at Christmas. You'll never know what fun it is to share yourself where children are involved until you do it. I hope you'll be watching for the next two Christmas offerings that show us more about the kind of sharing that seemed so natural to me and my pops.......Kath

Reading this wonderful story about fun on a mountain in far-away Montana is a grand experience. Somehow you so captured the moment that I was sure I was hearing the jingle of bells and the laughter of children. No doubt I did both AND heard the carolers, too. Thank you for an early Christmas gift. Jo Doofe

Kathe - Great Christmas story that reminds me of my youth in Missoula and glorious winter sleigh rides with grandfather.

Don Ralstin

As I read this precious memory, I can feel the chill of the snow as well as the warmth of love and joy that surely enveloped all who attended this great holiday tradition!
Michele

It's good to know my grandfather Bill actually had a heart at one time. -Ruth Schroeder Nowak, his first and ONLY granddaughter. Oh, and P.S., he has two beautiful grandchildren that he misses out on every day because he is too stubborn to admit he has done anything wrong. I love and miss him. God bless.

Would be awfully nice if you would send me youe e-mail address so I can get to know you better and I thank you for the note.......K