Happy Birthday Jesus.!
and a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone.!
I didn't know what to contribute, then thought at 61 yrs old, I'd talk about my own Favorite memories of Christmas. Although I read you guys have talked about being on AirBnB, which I have had much success myself over the past 16 months, but, today I wanted it to be all ABOUT Christmas~~~~~*
My family owned a small mobile home park in Maryland, built before I was born. My mom ADORED Christmas, everything about it. I remember the park driveway being decorated with giant candles on one of the 3 street lights, and carolers on the other 2, Santa and some reindeer on the roof of the "wash house"...aka small 2 washer 1 dryer laundromat...
My brother Earl is a wonderful artist an she would have him draw Christmas scenes on the glass of the lamp posts, and on the picture window of our home. There was also a "candle" in every window, including the basement, and the tree with the really nice silver icicles, anyone my age must remember those, you can't find anything like them anymore, at least not here where I live. We had a string of bubble lights too, one year a bubble light burst and left a red splatter on the wall. Mom would go to the factory were Wolfgang candies are made in York Pennsylvania the week of Christmas, she ordered enough boxes for the people living in the park and plenty for our entire family.
We'd load up my wagon Christmas Eve and off I'd go on my deliveries, they would all be SO happy when they opened the door and saw me, that is some really delicious candy, my favorite, a chocolate covered marshmallow with a peanut butter center, also the largest in the box. When I was 14 mom let me skip school and go with her and her friends to pick up the candy, and we went Christmas shopping afterwards, it was the BEST. It was also the one and only time I got to go, one friend couldn't make it, so there was room in the car for me.
I have photos of mom holding me in a rocking chair and we're sleeping next to our Christmas Garden. The village had everything from houses, people, pets, a pond with skaters, and a logging station the train would stop at to load, another area to unload. It was probably 10 feet long by 6 feet wide. That was another favorite thing, I really had fun watching and driving that train. I think that was a tradition that came from Germany with my ancestors. Thinking back now seems odd that I/we, spent so much time playing with that train set. To be honest, I think I enjoyed putting the houses, people and pets in the neighborhood the best.
Then, finally Christmas morning. At my house Christmas morning, Dean Martin was on the record player, an wonderful scents drifting from the kitchen, a pile of presents for my bothers an I, an a cozy fire burning away. I have always Loved dogs for as long as I can remember. When I was 6 I'll never forget Santa giving me a toy dog named Gaylord, he was a magnificent Bassett Hound, and I adored him.!
My Love of horses had Santa bring me a horse on springs that I bounced away the hours on the following Christmas. I must confuse when I was older I was a snooper, I remember one yr mom left all my gifts in a big bag where I could easily find them, and I did. That was the worst Christmas, I knew everything I opened was coming, not one thing was a surprise, never snooped again after that yr. I remember our church had a talent show every Sunday evening the week before Christmas. My friends and I always wanted to sing, and the lady in charge always wanted to put on a play. So there was singing, music by the kids that played instruments, and a short play. There was a nice feast afterwards in the downstairs hall, enough food to feed everyone and then some. With a table of every dessert imaginable, the best part of the dinner. At some point we in the youth group would go caroling.
I think that's a lost tradition nowadays, and it's a real shame. After graduating high school I moved to Maryland's eastern shore where I live today. I have one daughter who is the sweetest. When she was 6 she wanted to give me gifts from herself, she had wrapped up a winter scarf that came on her coat, she told me she didn't like the scarf, and a pair of mittens that were too big for her. As long as I have my brain intact, I will remember that Christmas forever. My 3 grandchildren are just as dear to my heart.!!
It was fun remembering the past to share with you, I could tell you some more, but this became a novel really quick.
What's your favorite memories of the Holidays over the years.?
I hope you made some new Fabulous Hanukkah memories, have the best Christmas ever, adding to your own Christmas memories, and memories of your Kwanzaa celebrations......
I leave you with my Favorite version of...Christmas time is here......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iAaEH_dR_Y