Tuesday, December 6, 2011

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

My earliest Christmas memory is when I was about 5 years old.  My brother and I shared a bedroom with single beds on opposite walls.  Our stockings were "hung" on top of our chest of drawers as well as Santa's cookies and milk.  I was so excited I could barely sleep so when I heard the jingle bells from the stockings, I so wanted to peek but I kept my eyes tightly shut.  I don't remember if I jumped up to look after the "movement" silenced but I don't think so.  I knew I had to wait for the morning.




A couple of years later, I woke up one night and found my mom in the kitchen, sewing doll pajamas.  It did not dawn on me until I got those pj's for my Suzy Walker on Christmas morning, that Santa was really my mom and dad. "Big Sigh"  I told my brother and he answered me by punching me.  How dare I say that there was no Santa!!
We were always very fortunate as children on Christmas because we received presents from many relatives and we always got what we wanted.  Dolls, bikes, toys.  
My dad was a Tool & Die Engineer and handsomely paid.
What I did not get was the REAL reason for Christmas.  Jesus Christ♥  That was a true loss for us.




One Christmas when I was a teen, there were many family problems so it seemed no merriment, no tree.  My best friend, Bobby and I went out and purchased a tree on Christmas Eve for $3.  This was in 1961.  I was 15.  We set it up, put some ornaments on it.  The next morning, the tree was standing there and all of the needles had fallen off and were on the floor.  We got a dead tree!!  Appropriate for that year, I guess.
Christmas got a whole lot better when my girls were young.  Jenifer and Jodi would run into the living room, jumping up and down and clapping with glee.
At that point, I was religiously confused but knew that God was there for me.
It thrills me to hear when someone shares that their young children know all about Jesus' love.  My grandsons know this also.
I am grateful to know the "reason for the season" is our Lord.  At this time in my life it comforts me.





7 comments:

Christie Cottage said...

WHat a beautiful post my friend!

My brother was the one who told me there was no Santa and he showed me the presents hidden behind the console TV in the Living Room. I promptly told him the presents were there because we didn't have a fireplace in that house and Santa was confused! I of course told my Dad the following day what a ridiculous lie my brother had told me! LOL

We were always read the story of Christmas from the Bible every Christmas until the last year before my Dad died. I sit here with tears welling as I type.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas filled with love and joy!

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Zuda Gay Pease said...

I am so happy that you now know the reason for Christmas, Sue. I'm not sure that we were ever taught that Santa was real. We did things differently than all our friends. We always went to church on Christmas Eve and when we got home everything was under the tree. We still aren't quite sure how it all happened. I assume that Daddy got someone to come in and do it with his instructions. Daddy loved EVERYTHING about Christmas. :)

Sue Runyon said...

Your story brings back memories for me too.

Mechelle said...

Wait a minute are you telling me Santa isn't real! Lol! Cute stories Sue.

The REAL EverSewSweet said...

Santa is so very real in OUR giving and sharing. I read a wonderful book called The Red Suit Diaries about a Santa who used being Santa as a ministry! Sharing Christ with children and grown-ups at every opportunity.

sammysgrammy said...

sweet memories

Unknown said...

I remember one year we hadn't gotten a tree and there were none anywhere but at one of the lots where they had been selling trees - we found a discarded tree. We took it home and it really was a charlie brown tree but we really enjoyed decorating that less than perfect tree.