Family. Friends. And a Celebration of Christmas Spirit.

By Good Life Grill

Saturday morning, the owners of The Good Life Grill rented out the restaurant - to themselves.  They booked the whole place and actually turned away business and parties - so they could give back to the community and help some little kids find the Christmas spirit.  

It was inspiring and touching...and we wanted to tell others about it.

Judy and Mike Guarco and their family have always been a huge part of Granby.  That's why they took over the restaurant several years ago - it was a gathering place in the town and they didn't want to see it disappear.  We've watched them pour their hearts and souls into the restaurant - not to make money - but to preserve a place in the community.

On Saturday morning, they invited 100 children and their parents to come by for a free brunch.  It's something they've done for several years now.  

When the kids arrived...they were excited to see Santa and his wife.  The Guarco's apparently bribed them with some delicious Good Life food (and perhaps some spiked Egg Nog?) to come down from the North Pole during their busiest time of year.  

Santa and the Mrs. spent the next several hours taking special requests from the boys and girls... and even giving out presents to each and every child.

There was no money to be made in this simple action by the Guarco family.  Quite the opposite, in fact.  And they were also very explicit in letting us - the staff - know that they weren't doing this for any kind of "kudos".  They were doing this because, like so many of their selfless actions, it was the "right thing to do".

Many people are afraid to say Merry Christmas in this day of political correctness.  But we've gotta tell you - we saw kids of ALL faiths chatting with Santa and wishing him a Merry Christmas.

We heard kids ask for fairies.  And Red Ryder BB Guns.  And chocolate covered elves.  That one was a mystery to us.

We heard a child say he wanted a new President so his parents would stop fighting.  Touche, little man.  

We heard kids telling him they didn't want gifts...they wanted their siblings to get better.

We were blessed to see the TRUE spirit of Christmas shining on the faces of each and every child that day - and the faces of their parents, our coworkers, and everyone there to witness this special breakfast.

So from our staff at Good Life Grill to your family - Merry Christmas.  And for those of you who don't celebrate, we wish you a season of blessings, love and family.

To the Guarco Family - thanks for bringing the spirit of the season into our hearts.