A Thanksgiving Christmas
Seventy six years of ringing in the Christmas cheer. First came the chocolate
cigarettes, Go Fish, Chutes and Ladders, Parcheesi, Lawrence Welk, The Hit
Parade and Ribbon Candy. There are memories of Grandparents, songs
around the piano, a lighted wind-up church that played Silent Night and
hanging tinsel strand by strand on the tree. Get-togethers with cousins and
friends and gifts of bride dolls, ballerinas and tea sets.
Next came the progression to Schwin bikes, transistor radios, table stereos,
Rock and Roll records, a ceramic tree, and that treasured “Pink Princess
Phone”.
How slow those 20 years seemed to go, straining for adulthood! Now, how
quickly they seem to have passed, as my memory takes me back to the
wholesome Variety Shows of Dean Martin, Perry Como, Nat King Cole, and
Andy Williams…mixed with Red Skelton and Jackie Gleason.
My 21st year ushered in starting new traditions with a husband and learning to
budget. By year 22, there was a little one, too!
By year 28, we were a family of 6 with 4 little kiddos in tow. Doing for others, on
a shoestring, now 3,000 miles away from family, my skill set grew to knitting,
making jams, pinatas, cookies and breads.
For each new child, I made a homemade stocking and every year they were
blessed to have it filled to the top with Joy! They were always given a special
ornament and family game to play…it became a tradition! And play, WE DID!
Now, at 76, my joy is hosting Thanksgiving and having the house dressed for
Christmas and presents under the tree for my children and grandkids.
There are 3 turkeys and all the trimmings, jams, jellies, special breads,
Christmas cookies and presents for them to take home to their trees.
It is now the grandkids that receive the special ornaments and hand-knitted items and other goodies. Oh, and I made each grand a special stocking for their first Christmas.
On this Thanksgiving-Christmas, we play board games as we always have.
There is laughter to the point of tears and peeing, an abundance of noise with
their animals brought along for Thanksgiving, too!
To an Outsider, it would be a scene of total chaos but to me…it is My
Christmas! A wonderful way to be Thankful on Thanksgiving Day making
beautiful memories for them to keep!
