Home For The Holidays

Kelsey Arrington

Sidney Sun-Telegraph

A typical late October weekday lunch at Pizza Hut quickly became a special and meaningful family reunion. The Wachtels, who were already enjoying the company of daughter, Jaide Phelps, a marine biologist visiting from Alaska, were delighted when in walks Leigha Wachtel, fresh off the plane from her time serving in the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East.

"Oh my gosh; oh my gosh," Wachtel's Grandmother, Marge Sabin, exclaims, "Nobody knew it! Did you know it?" Sabin asks Phelps. Wachtel's mother, Barb Wachtel, gets up from the table and tearfully walks...