My dad was the police chief, and our next-door neighbor was the fire chief. I also called him uncle Merle, as we were very close friends with them, I think we all had that neighborhood family growing up. I remember on Christmas, when my mom had left my “gift “for him to give me on the front porch, and I saw it. So when he did come in the front door as Santa, and hand me my present, it was ice cold from the snow. It was a set of red plastic, Barbie luggage and some doll clothes. I still remember how cold those plastic suitcases were, and one even broke when I tried to open it. I still have them.