Christmas Memories

Christmas time always seems to beg times of reflection of days gone by. Events that made an impact on us as we grew up. Some of the greatest times were memories centered around family and friends at Christmastime. One of the greatest influences in the lives of me and my siblings was our Mom, Barbara.

Leading up to Christmas Mom would pull out small book of Christmas songs that she would, when we were small sing to us and as we grew we would sing along with her. The Twelve Days of Christmas, We Three Kings, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and Silent Night to name a few. I have never forgotten a one of these songs.

There were always goodies around. Every year Mom made wonderful, and I do mean wonderful, Divinity fudge. She would wrap up a package of fudge for each one of us kids to take to our teachers for Christmas. They were always most appreciative. As we attended a small country school, we often had some of the same teachers and they knew what was coming just before Christmas break........Mrs. Shaw's divinity fudge!

I remember times of family get togethers at my Grandparents or Great Grandparents houses where aunts, uncles, cousins, great aunts and uncles and yes even great-great aunts and uncles would gather for Christmas dinners. The house would be full of activity, getting the dinner ready, adults talking, drinking coffee, watching TV and kids being told to stop running in the house, etc. Loads of fun!

Christmas Eve would finally come around, we would start getting ready for bed. Just before we would go to bed we would hang our stockings. As we didn't have a chimney we would hang our stockings, which were two pairs of Dads white work socks, on a coat hanger and hang it on the knob of the front door. That way Santa would see them before he left and not forget to fill them.

Mom had a way of making Christmas special. She would plan the day according to Dad's work schedule. Dad worked a lot of Christmas Days. When he worked the day shift, it was especially hard on us kids as we had to wait all day for Dad to get home. She had gifts that we four kids could open every couple of hours until Dad arrived home, when we would then of course open the really good stuff. Even in years, when things were a bit meager Mom always made sure that Christmas was special.

Mom has been gone for 5 years now. Christmases have not been the same since. All her kids and grandkids and especially Dad miss her like crazy, but her legacy lives on through her family. Each one of we kids have made traditions and memories with our individual families as a result of things Mom & Dad did for us, whether we remember small details or not.

I encourage each one who has taken time to read my thoughts, enjoy your family and friends during this Christmas season, make memories, love and laugh together, as we know not what next year will bring.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!