Christmas : Memories and Present

[zooloft]

I remember a Christmas during WWII when we had a snow / ice storm. We lived in the country, and were stranded for a week.
It seems fun now, but it was wet and cold. We only had fire places in some rooms, so we stayed in the living room and kitchen most of the time.
Good ole days!

[giggles]

I remember white Christmas when I was young but you don't here much of those anymore. Those were the good ole days! Full of tradition and the true meaning of the holiday.

[River Rat]

We spent two Christmas in Auburndale FL back in the 1980's. First one down there we went swimming every day that week and the second year it was to cool to swim.

[zooloft]

There were 4 of us kids, we didn't have much money, so every 4th year was a "big" Christmas for one of us. Lots of nuts and hard candy, but not many toys.
We lived on a farm, and there was always plenty to eat. Ma was very creative, and a wonderful cook.
All kinds of cookies, cakes, and pies. YUM YUM!

[malinda]

I'm only 42 and I have great memories of my childhood. I remember when Christmas rolled around we always had to get together and open presents on Christmas Day. I would get up go running through the house thinking I got up before anyone but I was wrong every year. My mother ,dad, brother and sister would be waiting on me. Daddy was with me only 8 years and I treasure the time we had together. Now everyone has their own family but we try to get together on Christmas if it is just to see each other. It still hurts even after all these years about my daddy but the time we had together was great.

[zooloft]

I rode by my grandparents old home place this afternoon while I was in S-burg. I have many wonderful memories of Christmas over there, especially during WWII. The war was a scary time. My mother had 4 brothers, and all were overseas at the same time. They all came home unharmed physically, but a couple of them suffered mentally from their experiences.
I remember seeing them in uniform, and we boys were really impressed. We had a great reunion.

[PoPo]

For many years during my childhood, me and my family lived hand to mouth while my dad struggled to work, and establish a life for us. He had been drafted and, when he came out of the military, he went back to laying brick. My mom and I were alone, until my dad adopted me as his son, and took my mom as his wife. His family was very poor, so dad was determined to provide a good home for us. Eventually, we got a mobile home, and we moved to Draytonville. We were the first people to move onto what is now Darby Road, except for old Mr. Darby himself. Of course back then Hwy 329 wasn't there, and Darby Road didn't even have a name. Dad immediately started building on to our trailer, and eventually made it look like a big brick home. No one ever knew there was a trailer inside of it...lol. He eventually built up his bricklaying business, and one year he got all my grandparents down to the house, and Santa came early on Christmas Eve. Dad had took me and mom to town, and when we got home, I walked in the door to find that Santa had left me so many wonderful toys. I never will forget getting an Evil Kneival Motorcycle, Sock em' Rock em' Robots, Six Million Dollar Man, and alot of other things. Most of all, I got a pair of warm boots. The year before it had snowed, and I didn't have any boots to wear outside. So dad put a pair to his size 12 work boots on me, and tied plastic bags around them. So, to get a pair of boots was wonderful.
It was amazing to me that night as I looked around and seen all of my family, and we had so many good things to eat. Even as a child, I thought about how far we had came, and how hard my mom and dad had worked for us to have a home. The first place we ever lived was a little rented shotgun house on 10th St., that didn't have an inside bathroom, which was heated by an OLD wood stove. And, for us to be in a warm home with all of my family was pure magic, and a true blessing. It taught me how to appreciate and cherish all of the blessings we have in life. Of course, now all of my grandparents are long since passed away, and eventually my mom and dad divorced, but I will ALWAYS hold that special Christmas deep in my heart. So much has changed in this world, during my 40 years of life. All of the people and places that I loved are long gone, but God continued to bless me with a wonderful wife and beautiful daughter. We've had our share of hard times,and we are definately having some this year with cash for Christmas. But we face them as a "family". God also blessed me with alot of wonderful friends, that I have in all of you.

[zooloft]

I had a good Christmas, but I was sad with the passing of my "best dog ever," Lily.
I thank the Lord all the time that I had her for over 12 years. Boy, time sure flies.

[PoPo]

With each holiday season that passes, I think of those that I loved so dearly, which have already left this world. Life is so complicated. Our hearts are saddened by the loss of a loved one, but warmed by the memories we have of them. To me, one of life's hardest teachings, is the concept of "acceptance." I have never faced anything so difficult as that. But, I find comfort, in those that I love that are still here. And, knowing I will see those that I lost once again.

[zooloft]

Amen!
Well said, my friend.