Christmas Memories
Lois Cook Berrett
When I was growing up money was pretty tight at our house and yet Mom and Dad always managed to give us a nice Christmas. Now mind you, it is not like what kids get for Christmas today. We would get one thing from Santa Claus, an orange and hard tack candy and nuts in our stockings. Then there might be a very practical gift or two from Mom and Dad, always something that we really needed.
I never wondered where the money came from for those gifts. It wasn't until Mother passed away that I found out just where it did come from. Now my Mother kept everything and after her death I was going through boxes of receipts and other papers. It was here I found receipts for many years. Among those receipts, I found loans from various loan institutions that all took place in early December. It was then that I realized that they had to take a loan out each Christmas so I and my siblings could have a Christmas gift. Let me tell you, it touched my heart deeply. Oh how I miss those two sweet sweet people who never had the riches of the world but were very very rich in the things that count.
I recall one Christmas when I was only 5 or 6. We went to my Grandpa and Grandma Proctor's home in Tooele, Utah, for Christmas. I really wanted a record player that year. I just knew that Santa Claus would not know that I was in Utah and he wouldn't be able to find me. On Christmas Eve, we were at my Uncle Max and Aunt Dorthy Proctor's home, when a knock came at the door. Much to my pleasure and surprise, in walked Santa Claus. He gave me a little sack of goodies and told me he knew where I was and would be visiting later that night. I did, indeed, get a record player that year.
Now it's your turn to share a Christmas Memory.
I was pretty young, so hopefully people will correct me if my memory is a bit off, but I remember loving to see the candles in bags when we'd have the wonderful Cook Christmas Eve party at the Wilsons in Rigby. It was so magical!
ReplyDeleteI also loved sleeping in the living room with my siblings on Christmas Eve. We'd play games until, well, I don't know because I probably fell asleep pretty early. For example, I remember sleeping through my brothers and sisters building a computer desk for Mom and Dad one early Christmas morning. But I remember another one when I was older and way to excited to sleep. I think I woke up at 2:00 and everyone else was sound asleep. I didn't want to wake anyone, and I really wanted to go back to sleep, but I don't know if I ever did.
We are so excited that you and Dad are coming here this year for Christmas to make some new memories!
There are many many memories that I have of Christmas. Some as I was growing up and many after Max & I were married. The hardest Christmas was the in 1997, the 1st Christmas after Max was gone. My heart felt like it was pulled out. Our children steped up and did all they could do to make it easier for me. We had our family Christmas party with al of my siblings our at Terreton. Lois made me a special sweatshirt showing her love and support for me.
ReplyDeleteMy children all came to our home in Blackfoot, except Josh who was on his mission, having them there & those 2 sweet grandsons brought a lot of joy. Christmas time it still hard for me, but I have beautiful 47 year old 3 year old that brings lot of fun & joy because she gets so excited and can hardly wait. How thankful I am for the Gospel, for the gifts my Savior has given me. It makes my happy that we celebrate His birth at this time of year. Everyone is a little nicer more caring & thinking of other. Christmas is a blessing for all.