You are supposed to share your three favorite Christmas memories, no matter if they are uplifting, silly, odd or what have you. I have so enjoyed reading other people's memories, and my sentimental side is definitely showing!
I'll go in order of occurance.
1. When I was seven, we went to the sportsman club my dad was president of for their annual Christmas dinner. (This was not a mystery meat night, thankfully!) After the meal Santa came, and that was a good inticement for the children to finish their meals! Something I had noticed but not made mention of to anyone was that after each Christmas meal at the sportsman's club, my dad would excuse himself on some pretense of business he had to attend to. Each child was called by name to come up and sit upon Santa's lap. When I was called, I went and and I was so happy to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what I wanted for Christmas. Then he gave me my present and told me to be a good girl and to go back to my mommy. When I got back to my mother, I was so excited! I ran into her arms and hugged her and told her that Santa had a ring just like daddy's! Well, as you might have already guessed, my dad was Santa all those years. He did not wear his ring again while playing Santa.
Now -- a little twist to this is... my husband's father belonged to the sportman's club too. My husband remembers sitting on Santa's lap at those Christmas parties. Years later, after we were married, my husband joked with us that he had asked Santa for me as his wife.
My husband and I had so many opportunities to know each other before we "met" when we were 22-years old. My mom and his dad worked together in civil service at the Air Force Academy, both our dads belonged to the same sportsman club, and we both attended the same junior high school (that's what they were called back then) for two years. However, we didn't meet until we were 22.
2. My next memory is from our first Christmas in Arizona. What a culture shock! It didn't even feel like Christmas to me. Where were the evergreens? Why did people put lights on their cacti? Where was the chilly weather and possibly snow? How could anyone feel the Christmas spirit in this summerish atmosphere?
Having moved to Arizona in pursuit of furthering my husband's career with a start-up company (the owner promised us the moon and stars and all I have to say about that is GET IT IN WRITING FOLKS! As far as business is concerned, always get it in writing!) So, here we were in a strange place, a strange state and a strange climate. Hubby was working upwards of 70-hours a week. I was determined that our Christmas would be the best ever! We had our first two daughters then, and they were happy little things, aged 5 and 3. Christmas eve we spent together as a family and did the traditional putting out of the cookies and milk with a note for Santa. Then off to bed the girls went, with "sugar plums dancing in their heads." In the middle of the night I got up to use the restroom and then went to check on the girls who shared a room. Between our rooms was the living room. And what did I find there?
Our second daughter, K, had gotten up in the middle of the night to play with what Santa had left. She had the dolly's diaper off... and she ransacked through the stocking which is in a big red heap there. Then she crawled inside the doll's playpen and fell asleep! Isn't that just adorable?
3. This is my favorite Christmas memory, and it just happened last year! It still makes me well-up with huge tears everytime I even think of it!
After the roller coaster of emotion associated with unemployment for over three-years, my husband was blessed with a job two days before the "official" foreclosure of our dream home, which we joyously owned for seven years. It wasn't enough time and he didn't make nearly enough for us to keep the house. So we had to move out on 9/11/06. To make things worse, we had the house up for sale hoping to salvage something for the mortgage company and something of our credit rating. The sale fell through the day before we were to sign the papers, and so we had to move out in 4-days. We had made arrangements with the buyers to stay at the house for another few weeks. We got in high gear packing and many of our friends came to help us. What a blessing they all were! They wrapped items with care and helped us move things we could not move by ourselves with my hubby at work. We had no place to go and were planning on living in a 20-year old motor home until we found a place. Much of our belongings had to be packed to be stored. We found a place and moved in at the end of October.
Roll ahead to two months to December 2006. In the process of all that chaos somehow we lost our youngest daughter's most beloved toys, her Krystal Princesses (she had twelve of them and they had all their original accessories and condo units, that's what she called their snow domes) and Liddle Kiddles. They were all together in a blue airline bag. Ever since R was a baby she has played with and enjoyed tiny things. Krystal Princesses were her sisters' and could not be replaced as they are no longer manufactured. It's the same deal with Liddle Kiddles, some of which were mine as a child (they were my favorite toy) and some were her sisters'. On top of everything else we lost, this was just too much for my mommy's heart to take. R grieved so much for them, and I grieved for her loss. I am bawling just typing this out.
On Christmas Eve last year we found a package on our snow-covered front porch. Whomever left it there had to have been awfully sneaky and quiet as our dogs usually announce anyone who even passes by our house. But there was this big package and it was addressed to "To R from Santa."
We had absolutely no idea who had left it. And because of the unexpected nature of it, I went ahead and let R open it right away. It was filled with Liddle Kiddles and some Polly Pockets (the tiny ones). I have never (and I don't expect I ever will again) seen such a happy child! It was such a wonderful surprise and we had no idea who had done it!
It took over six long months to discover who had blessed us so! I have never felt such joy than when R received that gift.
Now, whom shall I tag... how about Glenda, and John, and Elizabeth, and Kelly, of course, and Barb, and Kristi and whomever else wants to do it. BUT, please if you do, leave me a comment so I'll know to go check out your blog, ok? THANKS!
3 comments:
I will have to give it some thought and post tomorrow. Need to be at church early so girls can practice their solos for Christmas and one of them has been under the weather, so we'll see when I get to it.
I will do it but it might be a day or two before I get it up. Rather than tag others, I will just leave it open to whomever wants to participate. I don't know that many bloggers and I just did a tag thing.
Your memories were sweet to read and I loved the picture.
Oh, Paula, these stories were lovely to read!
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