Christmas Memories
Years ago when I was a little girl we went to my grandfather’s house on Christmas Eve. The house was in the country and the road to get there was narrow and graveled. I remember clearly sitting in the backseat with my brother and a pile of presents, right behind my parents. I can almost hear the gravel crunching beneath our tires and see the outline of the tall, stark trees in the darkness as they flashed by.
Grandpa’s house was filled with food, laughter, presents and cousins! My cousin Martha and I were the only girls for years and because she only came to Kentucky in the summer and at Christmas, we were always inseparable. I don’t remember this but my mother told me that one Christmas we were both given dolls. Martha immediately stripped all the clothes off her doll and then reached for mine. Mom said I put my hand in the middle of her forhead and gave her a good push backwards!
I’m sure cooking and cleaning for such a large number of people wasn’t easy but my aunts always cooked a great meal. Back then the men hunted quail and my aunt fried them. It wasn’t unusual to find a piece of buck shot in your bird. I also remember the oyster casserole because even the smell of it nauseated me (still does).
Christmas is different now. Several of the people who attended those Christmas dinners are gone. Grandpa, my parents, and Martha’s dad, Uncle Johnny. They are in my heart though, and in the hearts of those who loved them. A small part of me will always be the little girl who sat with her cousin Martha at the kid’s table and longed to be moved up to the adults.
Last night I wrapped gifts for five hours and today and tomorrow will be spent watching the people I love rip them open. There will be food, laughter, and lots of hugs and kisses. When all is said and done the presents they take home aren’t that important, but the memories are.
Blessings to you and yours this Christmas!
PS. My aunt sent me the following poem and I liked it so much I wanted to share it with you!
First Corinthians 13 ~ Christmas Version
Author Unknown
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family,
I’m just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen,
baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals,
and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,
but do not show love to my family
I’m just another cook.
If I can work at a soup kitchen,
carol in the nursing home,
and give all that I have to charity,
but do not show love to my family,
it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels
and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties
and sing in the choir’s cantata,
but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love does not envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and  table linens.
Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful that they are there to be in the way.
Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return, but  rejoices in giving to those who cannot.
Love bears all things, believes in all things, hopes all things and endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost,
golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure forever.
So this Christmas, be sure to share the love!
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Oh Cindy, your letter touched my heart! May the peace of God be with you and his glory and grace. Sometimes we don’t understand why people say and do the things they do, and it’s painful but God is always good, always loving and never changing in his word. Much love to you, Teresa
I have been feeling left out of my husband family for 25 years, and on at Christmas time people are trying to out do each other, and judge each other, it was upsetting so much I didn’t want to have dinner with all the family. Ever one said my gift is not good enough for grandma, it might imbrues her. Why do people look at each other and judge what is right or wrong, it hurts and I would like not even going. So I turned to God for help; I looked up 1 Chronicles 29 18; “O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people.and fix their heart toward You.
Then I looked up the word STRIVE! # verse’s Gen. 6:3, Luke 13:24,and 2 Tim.2:14, Luke 13;the whole Chapter is very fitting for coming against each other, it is not Gods plan for his people.
Then I looked on Heartlight Magazine for more studying for God’s help, and I found this story and pome, and it is very fitting for where there is not love there is not God in our hearts, Thank you!
The poem is so beautiful and to the point. Thank you for Sharing. My dad has been gone for several years now, but I think of him even more during Christmas. I am the eldest of six and he use to take me with him to sell Christmas trees each year at a small grocery store to make extra money for us all during Christmas. He worked so hard to see we never went hungry and had shoes and clothing. But we always found one gift for each of us every Christmas morning that Santa left. I cherish those memories, especially the ones spent one on one with my dad at Christmas. Even though we were poor, if he saw a family looking at the trees that could not afford one he would just give them one and tell them Merry Christmas. The other childrens faces are still in memory of how they looked at that tree and smiled. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. 🙂
Merry Christmas, Teresa! I hope you create many new memories today and tomorrow will all that family!
That is a wonderful Christmas poem! Thank you for sharing!
I loved your Christmas memories and the poem is priceless! I’m going to print it out and save it (literally and figuratively, in my heart). Hope you have a merry Christmas!