Christmas Memories
My Mom was the Queen of Christmas. To this day, I remember the beautiful
decorations, wonderful foods, joyous music and, of course, the gifts. Although
money was never plentiful in our home, she found ways to make memories that linger
in her daughters’ minds forever. All four of us have tried to pick up from where she left off.
We made red and green chains out of construction paper and homemade paste. She hung these in the doorways to decorate the house. She hung the wonderful Christmas cards received from loved ones around the doorways. We all joined in the decorating of the tree. Favorite ornaments would be hung in a prominent place. Mom liked each piece of tinsel hung separately not flung at the tree.
This is the season of love and family. Mom would bake cookies while we were at
school. When we came home, the whole family would frost and decorate them. We
felt so proud when she served our “works of art” to friends and relatives or
when we took a tray of our “homemade wonders” to neighbors.
We took part in the Christmas program at church all
practicing our speeches until we could repeat them from memory. We received an orange and a bag of hard candy for our hard work. We sang in the choir or chorus at church and school performing in the annual holiday concerts. I still
remember words of songs I sang when I was nine years old:
“Snowy flakes are falling softly
Clothing all the world in white.
High above the stars are shining
Twinkling through the wintry night.
Was it just like this we wonder
Starry bright and crispy cold
On that Christmas night of old.”
Music has always been a very important part of the
celebration of this season.
Today I take the little ones to one of the many musical events in our town. Perhaps it is the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree or to the philharmonic concert. Ice
skating is always fun for the children too…or skiing if you have access to the snow-capped mountains.
There were always lots and lots of packages under
the tree. In lean years, they may have been socks and underwear, but they were beautifully wrapped and received with joy.
Whatever you do this time of year, include children. Make memories that they will
think of in their old age…and smile.
Happy Holidays to you all.
---PatZimmerman
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