Kookie and I wish you Happy HolidaysThis is the time of year to think of others and share in the joy of the season. I have a Christmas Story that took place for me on the Eve of Christmas, 1958...I was almost 8 years old.
This was a year of great struggle for my parents raising five children. There were not many services available today back then to assist families. My parents were desperately trying to manage with very little. My father had been laid off right before Thanksgiving. We had a hundred pound burlap bag of potatoes that my dad had retrieved from the side of the road. Apparently had fallen off a truck loaded full. We didn't have much else to eat. We ate potatoes in every shape and form for weeks. I remember my folks arguing and showing the stress. They were sad.
On Christmas Eve as my Dad drove past a closed up tree lot with one lone, piddly tree. He climbed the fence and stole the tree. Well there were two police in their car who saw what he had done and followed him home. They didn't press any charges on my Dad. They felt the only crime that had been committed was that this family, with five beautiful children, were without a Christmas tree or presents to go under them. They let us keep the tree. It was one of THE most beautiful trees I remember in my childhood. We decorated it with handmade ornaments and some ornaments from Christmases past.
Early Christmas morning there was a knock at our door, with a loud "HO HO HO".... the two police officers were standing there, in their Santa Hats, with arms full of gifts for all of us. I remember crying big tears of joy while I thought to myself...I will never ever in my life forget the meaning of Christmas!
To this day every Christmas I give a family in need with a little money and presents for the children, in the spirit of the season!
This was a year of great struggle for my parents raising five children. There were not many services available today back then to assist families. My parents were desperately trying to manage with very little. My father had been laid off right before Thanksgiving. We had a hundred pound burlap bag of potatoes that my dad had retrieved from the side of the road. Apparently had fallen off a truck loaded full. We didn't have much else to eat. We ate potatoes in every shape and form for weeks. I remember my folks arguing and showing the stress. They were sad.
On Christmas Eve as my Dad drove past a closed up tree lot with one lone, piddly tree. He climbed the fence and stole the tree. Well there were two police in their car who saw what he had done and followed him home. They didn't press any charges on my Dad. They felt the only crime that had been committed was that this family, with five beautiful children, were without a Christmas tree or presents to go under them. They let us keep the tree. It was one of THE most beautiful trees I remember in my childhood. We decorated it with handmade ornaments and some ornaments from Christmases past.
Early Christmas morning there was a knock at our door, with a loud "HO HO HO".... the two police officers were standing there, in their Santa Hats, with arms full of gifts for all of us. I remember crying big tears of joy while I thought to myself...I will never ever in my life forget the meaning of Christmas!
To this day every Christmas I give a family in need with a little money and presents for the children, in the spirit of the season!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
May there be peace, love and joy shared
with family, friends and strangers in need!
with family, friends and strangers in need!
