I'm feeling a little lack of the spirit this year. Maybe sharing the stories will help those that are abundantly blessed with spirit this year to buoy up those like me? I didn't use the word "Christmas" because CareCure is rich with stories from many cultures. I'd sure love to read some of them!
If you are feeling low too, be aware. Trying to remember my best holiday cheered me up a lot. I can't remember many gifts. I was tragically denied what I wanted most, a Barbie. (I jest. I survived just fine, Barbie-less.) I was never denied the things kids really need, like bikes, sleds, books or music, wholesome food, warm clothes, creeks and fields to play in, and a little old-fashioned churching as well. I had 2 brothers that snuck into their presents every year, so I learned the value of surprises. One brother was younger, so I got to know the joy and important feeling of keeping Santa real for him for as long as possible. I had tons of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, friends...I can't imagine how we could have needed more than we had.
And I can honestly say...Invariably, without fail, the years we were low on cash are the years I remember for riches of a better sort.
The year I was carrying Jake stands out, because I knew what it was to be heavy with child. (I managed to be heavy with child at 4 months LOL. He was a BIG baby, and I am but a small woman.) It boggled me, the whole story of this family wandering, this woman in labor, finding no room at the inn. We lived in a town of maybe 250, that had a ridiculous total 5 churches that all feuded among themselves. That year, the churches actually worked together and put on a chorale, all the old songs sung late at night in one of the little simple churches. It was a cold, clear white Christmas that year, and every Christmas light spoke to me as I drove home alone, with my newly moving stomach. Hormones, maybe? Could be, but it was awesome.
And the year I turned 21, 1981, little bro was 15. It was a lean year. Mom tended bar at the local bar'n'grill that Christmas Eve, so brother Bill and I hung out there, and to be honest we felt a bit sorry for ourselves. One of Mom's customers, a single dad with 2 sons around my brother's age, came in. He was a hardcore drunk, and I can't blame his wife for deserting him. I can't forgive her for leaving those boys behind but maybe she had her reasons. Leaving the kids behind is contrary to my DNA but I shouldn't judge her when I never knew her. Anyway, Mom asked the dad K*** what he had planned for Christmas. He just snorted, ordered another beer, and said he wouldn't bother. Mom said, "K***-No tree? Presents? Dinner, at least?" He said "Why? You'll be open tomorrow, won't you? We'll get cheeseburgers." Mom said "No, we're closed for Christmas." I was working in a fan factory and had gotten the traditional ham for a bonus. Bill leaned to me and said "Sis, gimme a ride out to the house." We drove 25 miles to get that ham, snuck it into their house and put it in their fridge. I'm pretty sure it was better than nothing. It's was worth a lot more giving it away than it would have been eating it, and that's a fact. I've forgotten a thousand hams I ate, but I never forgot the one we gave away.
Mom gave me a quilt she'd made of teeny fabric scraps that year, the scraps were 1" X 3". She really scrounged for material, and it must have been grueling to sew. I have no idea how she did it without me knowing, since we both worked nights. I used it until it was shredded. Now bits of it are framed, hanging in my house. 2 years later Mom had a terrible stroke and never sewed again, so it's always been special.
It's funny, I remember going through the Christmas catalog and wanting certain toys SO BAD. Darned if I can remember what any of them were now! But I remember 1st grade, b/c I got a baby brother for Thanksgiving, and Nancy Sinatra's Boots album, and WHITE GO-GO BOOTS, for Christmas! I could not have been cooler, I spent the next year folding diapers in my go-go boots. Those boots were made for diaper folding! Lordy I loved those boots. There was nothing I couldn't do in them.
Happy Holidays, y'all. We had a good day here, I spent a lot of time playing Hair and Makeup Lady with my 6 year old granddaughter. 1 good day sure makes you feel better, doesn't it?
I hope you all have good days this week. It's the best and worst time of the year.
If you are feeling low too, be aware. Trying to remember my best holiday cheered me up a lot. I can't remember many gifts. I was tragically denied what I wanted most, a Barbie. (I jest. I survived just fine, Barbie-less.) I was never denied the things kids really need, like bikes, sleds, books or music, wholesome food, warm clothes, creeks and fields to play in, and a little old-fashioned churching as well. I had 2 brothers that snuck into their presents every year, so I learned the value of surprises. One brother was younger, so I got to know the joy and important feeling of keeping Santa real for him for as long as possible. I had tons of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, friends...I can't imagine how we could have needed more than we had.
And I can honestly say...Invariably, without fail, the years we were low on cash are the years I remember for riches of a better sort.
The year I was carrying Jake stands out, because I knew what it was to be heavy with child. (I managed to be heavy with child at 4 months LOL. He was a BIG baby, and I am but a small woman.) It boggled me, the whole story of this family wandering, this woman in labor, finding no room at the inn. We lived in a town of maybe 250, that had a ridiculous total 5 churches that all feuded among themselves. That year, the churches actually worked together and put on a chorale, all the old songs sung late at night in one of the little simple churches. It was a cold, clear white Christmas that year, and every Christmas light spoke to me as I drove home alone, with my newly moving stomach. Hormones, maybe? Could be, but it was awesome.
And the year I turned 21, 1981, little bro was 15. It was a lean year. Mom tended bar at the local bar'n'grill that Christmas Eve, so brother Bill and I hung out there, and to be honest we felt a bit sorry for ourselves. One of Mom's customers, a single dad with 2 sons around my brother's age, came in. He was a hardcore drunk, and I can't blame his wife for deserting him. I can't forgive her for leaving those boys behind but maybe she had her reasons. Leaving the kids behind is contrary to my DNA but I shouldn't judge her when I never knew her. Anyway, Mom asked the dad K*** what he had planned for Christmas. He just snorted, ordered another beer, and said he wouldn't bother. Mom said, "K***-No tree? Presents? Dinner, at least?" He said "Why? You'll be open tomorrow, won't you? We'll get cheeseburgers." Mom said "No, we're closed for Christmas." I was working in a fan factory and had gotten the traditional ham for a bonus. Bill leaned to me and said "Sis, gimme a ride out to the house." We drove 25 miles to get that ham, snuck it into their house and put it in their fridge. I'm pretty sure it was better than nothing. It's was worth a lot more giving it away than it would have been eating it, and that's a fact. I've forgotten a thousand hams I ate, but I never forgot the one we gave away.
Mom gave me a quilt she'd made of teeny fabric scraps that year, the scraps were 1" X 3". She really scrounged for material, and it must have been grueling to sew. I have no idea how she did it without me knowing, since we both worked nights. I used it until it was shredded. Now bits of it are framed, hanging in my house. 2 years later Mom had a terrible stroke and never sewed again, so it's always been special.
It's funny, I remember going through the Christmas catalog and wanting certain toys SO BAD. Darned if I can remember what any of them were now! But I remember 1st grade, b/c I got a baby brother for Thanksgiving, and Nancy Sinatra's Boots album, and WHITE GO-GO BOOTS, for Christmas! I could not have been cooler, I spent the next year folding diapers in my go-go boots. Those boots were made for diaper folding! Lordy I loved those boots. There was nothing I couldn't do in them.
Happy Holidays, y'all.
We had a good day here, I spent a lot of time playing Hair and Makeup Lady with my 6 year old granddaughter. 1 good day sure makes you feel better, doesn't it?I hope you all have good days this week. It's the best and worst time of the year.
.) It would seem like we hiked for miles to find just the perfect tree to cut down. My grandfather would cut it down and drag it back to the cabin. I was always amazed by his strength. 
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