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Date Posted: 19:38:55 12/23/11 Fri
Author: Cece, hoping you all have a Wonderful Christmas!
Subject: When I was little, every Christmas was magical, even though by today's standards, they were very modest. I got lovely presents from Father Christmas. They were never wrapped, as FC always had unwrapped toys sticking out of his sack. (inside).

I believe I saw him once, riding across the sky with the moon in the background. But I'm not really sure. Rumour had it that one of my sisters DID see him, so it must be so.

There were a lot of adults in my house as my 7 siblings ranged in age from 24 - 7 1/2 when I was born. But as Father Christmas only brought presents for the children, I was pretty much it. I didn't go to midnight mass with the others until I was around 10. Instead, I went to mass in the morning, and was always very excited to see the nativity scene finally revealed on Christmas Day. I loved looking into the cosy cave, with shepherds in the background. And of course, there would be the baby Jesus snuggled in the hay.

Then came a very sad Christmas when I was 12. My mother had died at the end of October, too close to Christmas for any celebrating. But we did manage to find some things funny. There were four of us still living at home, as well as my father who was by this time, semi-invalid. My 22 yr old sister would forget every week to buy a roast for Sunday dinner, and we'd end up sharing a can of stewed steak. When Christmas came around, she swore she would remember to buy a roast, but alas, she forgot again. So on Christmas day, we had a can of stewed steak (a misnomer if ever there was one), with mashed potatoes and peas and carrots. We all thought it was very funny.

Later that night, my sad Father went to bed, my sister went out with her then boyfriend, (now husband for 53 yrs)and my two brothers, ages 26 and 20, stayed home for my sake and shared a surruptitious can of beer (alcohol was not allowed in our house), while the three of us watched High Noon on the tv. The tv had been rented when my mother was ill, so it was a big deal to a tv in the house. For some reason, this Christmas didn't seem as Dickensian as it now appears. It's something I look back on with nostalgia tinged with sadness. I miss my family so much at this time of year, even now at the age of 64.

Regardless of how much money and material things we have, it's always the people we love who create precious memories, and who make life worthwhile. Christmas, Channukah, Diwali, Ramadan, or any time of the year, hold on closely to your loved ones, and appreciate them always.

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[> Precious and bittersweet memories...... -- mkim, 20:14:34 12/23/11 Fri [1]

Christmas 1978 was going to be the first Christmas I'd ever spent away from my family. My DH and I had been married nearly two years and we were finally on our own, we even had our own tree...even though there was little money for gifts. My Dad, who had been suffering from an extended illnes, was admitted to the hospital on my birthday, on the 17th. He seemed to be improving but then took a turn for the worse and we lost him on Dec.21st.

My DH and I were so broke, we had to take out a loan to go home for his funeral. It was hard, surreal and terrible while we drove the over 800 miles home. When I finally got to my mothers house, it was late, but my family was all there. All of the other 5 children, their spouses, their kids, everyone, waiting for me to come home.
When I walked in the door and saw everyone, I felt surrounded by love and comfort.

We all stayed together, in Mom and Dad's little house, we cooked and cleaned and cried, we sat around and told our own stories about Dad, and after we had Dad's funeral, we did gather for Christmas, on Christmas Eve. Even though the loss of my Dad was one of the most profound events of my life, I'll never forget the comfort I felt, just being with my family, in the face of all that had happened.
Looking back on it, I think our closeness was a testament to one of the many things my Dad did right. He loved Christmas, and was right in the middle of all the Christmas magic in my house as I was growing up.

It is as you said, Cece. "its always the people we love who create precious memories and who make life worthwhile."

Amen.


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[> Was talking about this subject with my family over Thanksgiving... -- The Chief, 22:56:17 12/23/11 Fri [1]

... We've never had real big traditions of gathering with a lot of family on holidays, simply because we're all too far flung. We have traveled for Thanksgiving on occasion, but not more than half a dozen times in 20 years. Most of our Thanksgiving meals have been fairly simple, food-wise. No fancy recipes, just the basics, and, with the exception of the turkey, mostly from boxes and cans and jars. I will make real mashed potatoes if I'm feeling ambitious, but not usually. We don't have a set time for the meal, either, but sometime between 2 and 5.

At Christmas, we're usually in our own home, with wrapping paper everywhere, and a policy of "pjs for three days" LOL. Sometimes I don't even do a big dinner because we're too busy "playing" with our new stuff, and it's hard to serve turkey and all the trimmings when there are three half-built Lego projects on the dining room table! We've had everything from beanie-weenies to breakfast for Christmas dinner. I started serving the "big meal" on Christmas eve instead.

The point is that, even tho our celebrations are simple and sometimes quirky or "non-traditional" (we don't even watch football), we always have them, we're always together, and we always have fun.

It may even be boring, but it's consistent. I don't remember having fancy or extravagant meals or gatherings growing up either, but the consistency of the holiday celebrations is like one big long memory, skipping from year to year like a flat stone across a smooth pond. And I think providing that *consistency* is what is really important for the kids. And for us. The ritual of it sinks deep into our hearts and psyches and provides stability and comfort and hope.


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[> Daddy passed away Aug 30 so this is the first Christmas without him. To make it doubly hard tomorrow would have been his 76th birthday. Been crying alot this last week. -- Valerie, 06:03:42 12/24/11 Sat [1]


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[> Cece what a heartfelt story. I remember Christmas's of my childhood fondly. I too was the youngest. I have 3 older brothers and then surprise me!! I remember the presents somewhat, but I remember most was all the family, parents, siblings, grandparents and cousins sitting around our big dining room table and have a jolly time. Those memories are more precious that any present I ever received. My parents have been gone for over 30 yrs. but I miss them so much! -- Cathy F., 11:22:12 12/24/11 Sat [1]


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[> Cece a lovely story in our household xmas was very modest too there was 7 of us too i was the youngest in the girls we did not have much but it was a fun time to just being happy with what we got and sharing it together -- Bev uk, 12:12:12 12/24/11 Sat [1]


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[> I also have bittersweetmemories of the holidays.... -- Martian Barb, 21:26:57 12/25/11 Sun [1]

When I was 7 my paternal grandmother died on Dec. 12th, then at 12 my maternal grandfather died right before Thanksgiving. This always made my parents very quiet around the holidays. In 1982, my paternal grandfather died on Christmas morning. He was 90 years old and instead of mourning, we celebrated his life knowing that he was now with grandma. In 1993, my maternal grandmother died on Dec. 19. She was 93. Again, we did not mourn her but celebrated her life. My paternal grandmother taught most of her grandchildren "Away in a Manger," the German version. Now, everytime I hear that song, I cry. I was only 7 years old when she died, but I remember singing it with her vividly. My sister was only 4, but she remembered her singing it also.

This year, my husband and I traveled to Nashville to be with all of our kids. It is the first time that I have ever been away from my father and my sister. It is kind of bittersweet, but I have had the most wonderful time.

I hope that everyong has had a very blessed Christmas.


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