Remembering Christmas Past

byMaryC

175 followers

Updated 12 years ago

Remembering Christmases Past

Christmas is around the corner again. This is the time of year that I stop to remember my Christmas past. It was a wonderful, exciting time for me as a child. We lived next door to my Grandmother and Grandfather and Christmas was celebrated at their house every year.

There was not a lot of money but we never knew that. We had family friends, fishing trips, overnight camping, neighborhood baseball games and badminton in the back yard with our friends. My Dad always had time to play with us even though he worked as a Mechanic during the day, taught at the local Trade School 3 nights a week in the evening and then came home and farmed the land until 10:00 at night.

Christmas was a special time of year as many or our relatives came from other states to be home with us for Christmas in West Monroe, Louisiana.

My Aunt Mary, Uncle Woodrow. Uncle James and Cousins Sue and Terry came in from Lake Charles. My Uncle Dub and Aunt Dot came in from Atlanta, Georgia. My Uncle Palmer came from wherever he was at the time as he played in a band. Then of course were my Mom Gertrude and my Dad Marion, my sister Patricia, Carolyn, my brother David and myself.

Mom started in late October making fruit cakes and Nut loafs for Christmas day. She wrapped them in aluminum foil after pouring Morgan David Wine on them and putting a fresh apple in the middle to keep them fresh. Every two weeks there would be more wine poured on the cakes. and the apple replaced until Christmas day arrived.

Turkey, Dressing, Ham, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Ambrosia, Potato Salad, Fruit Salad, Cakes, Pies, so much food. Of course everyone ate until they were more stuffed than the turkey had been.

Then of course the fun of opening the gifts. Every one anxiously awaiting their turn.

What I remember also is the love that was in the house. People who cared for one another making time to get together. Friends and neighbors stopping by to wish a Merry Christmas.

This tradition continued until I was 18 years old. My Grandparents passed away shortly after my eighteenth birthday and the families choose to celebrate their Christmases at their homes.

Many of the people from my childhood have gone on to be with God. But I treasure the memories and that time in my life. They are so imprinted in my mind that they still warm my heart not only at Christmas but throughout the year. I remember the laughter and the enjoyment of being together as a family and I can still see the smiles on their faces.