I enjoy Christmas traditions and this season of light. Sometimes it feels over-commercialized and extremely busy. In my older adult years, however, I reflect on memories of Christmases past—memories that bring me both joy and reflection.
I looked forward as a kid to what Santa Claus might bring me, and I learned at an early age the joy of giving to others. When I was early elementary age, I got an allowance each week for doing chores around the farm/house. I saved each year so I could buy Christmas presents for my family. I remember taking the $2 I saved and mom dropping me off at the Variety Store in Coggon to do my shopping. I could spend 50 cents each on gifts for mom, dad, and my two sisters. I always managed to find things that I hoped they would like that were within my budget.
A traumatic experience of my life was learning that there was no Santa Claus. I knew my parents couldn’t afford all the things I thought I wanted, but I had hopes for Santa Claus.
A most savored memory of Christmas was later in my adult life when I would come home to Iowa to visit. It was fun to help mom prepare for the big family dinner. As she got older, it was a bigger stressor than joy for her, but I knew that she felt confident when I was there. We prepared and cooked.
One tasty Christmas tradition my mother had was to bake frosted coffee cakes and take them to neighbors and friends on Christmas Eve Day. I helped her make the deliveries. She taught me how to make those sweet delicacies, but I didn’t inherit or perfect her expertise.
As I got older I loved Christmas eve with my mom and dad when we would go to church and then drive through town and the countryside looking at Christmas lights. After my dad passed, it was just me and mom going to church and then going out to Christmas eve dinner together.
Mom’s favorite thing about Christmas was the music and she instilled that love in me. When I hear certain songs, particularly sung by choirs, I harken back to how much she adored the sounds of Christmas.
Christmas present is different. I love my town with the Christmas lights that stay up until mid-February bringing light and life to the long winter. I revel in my Norfolk Island Pine with all the special decorations and especially the handmade ones my sister, Suki, has given me every year for decades. I miss deeply those Christmases past but am grateful to have the memories associated with the lights, family, and music. Christmas today is nostalgic and different.
I do not know what Christmas future may hold. I am confident that Christmases will continue to evolve, and yet remain the same, as I grow older. My hope is for PEACE (and JUSTICE) on earth.
Thanks for this. It brought back many memories I have of my Christmases with my family when I was growing up. We had wonderful traditional Christmases with all the decorations, gifts, family love. I loved being with the family and such warmth and generosity. Thanks again for the memories. ANNE.