CHRISTMAS PAST

Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker

The last cookie has been eaten, the last gifts unwrapped, the wrapping paper has been put in the trash or stored away if anything is left. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday and whenever it’s all over,  I feel sad. 

I miss the buying of gifts, the wrapping, baking, planning, celebrating, lights, and the birth of Jesus, and going to church. I stop and think of how everyone comes together and the memories and joy invade our mind and heart. Sometimes we think, “This is going to be the best Christmas ever.” But even though,  not all of my Christmas’s have been filled with toys and gifts or candy, I can remember some of the  gifts I got.

One Christmas, that I recall,  is when I was 5 years old. My mom and dad had me close my eyes really tight and sit down at my little table. Then I was told “Put your hands down on the table.” I heard a little tinkle tinkle, opened my eyes, and there was a little red piano.  To those who know me, have heard or seen me some place playing the piano, and yes this old lady still tickles the ivories. So that little toy piano made this little girl happy. 

One Christmas, I got a Fairy Tale book with different stories in it. One of the stories was “Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates.” I became enthralled with that story and read it over and over.  I wanted some silver skates and to go put my finger down in the water where Hans father had fell. The story, though written in the 1800s, is still good to read today.

Another memory I have is when Grandma and Mom decorated the kitchen. They didn’t have a lot to work with, but the had this red and silver tinsel which they taped across the kitchen ceiling. Then, they took these silver icicles, they used to put on trees, and hung them across that tinsel. Of course I thought it was beautiful, (well sorta) but I said, “But Mama, it looks like our laundry hanging up.” 

Through the years, we lose our loved ones and if you are like me, you go back and remember Christmas past and even the gifts you may have had. One more special Christmas Eve … The church we attended was having their Christmas program and all of us kids had parts in the program. I was scared, nervous and yet excited, because I had to play the part of an angel. With a long white piece of cloth around me, I had to carry a candle and yes, it was lit. I felt like a princess walking up that church aisle and then I had to sing “Away in a manger.” That memory is still a part of me, but I am not an angel, I would probably fall down carrying a lit candle, and as slow as I am now, it may take me all night to get up the aisle.

So much to recall about Christmas’ past, but looking forward to all the future ones … we never know, if Santa comes, he might be in a spaceship, reindeers may look like robots and hopefully brings me a new car.

I am a Christmas lover and the story and the celebration of the birth of Christ will never grow old.

What do you remember about your Christmas past? Did you hang stockings? What was your favorite most remembered gift.

Let me know and I’ll give you a Penny For Your Thoughts.