From time to time I will post Memories, where I describe some facet of my life before MS. I hope you enjoy these digressions.
Growing up,
our Christmases were right out of Currier and Ives: cold and snowy weather, traditional holiday treats, family, gifts, mistletoe. I remember those Decembers fondly and miss them
terribly.
our Christmases were right out of Currier and Ives: cold and snowy weather, traditional holiday treats, family, gifts, mistletoe. I remember those Decembers fondly and miss them
terribly.
In grade
school, on the last day before Christmas vacation, a local radio station would
record each homeroom class singing a different Christmas carol, often of the
religious variety – it was a nonissue in those days. On Christmas Eve, at the
appointed time, we would huddle around the radio at home and listen for our
song. It was played only once, so you had to be ready.
school, on the last day before Christmas vacation, a local radio station would
record each homeroom class singing a different Christmas carol, often of the
religious variety – it was a nonissue in those days. On Christmas Eve, at the
appointed time, we would huddle around the radio at home and listen for our
song. It was played only once, so you had to be ready.
My parents hosted
what they called an Open House on Christmas
Eve. To me, it was just a big party that started in the afternoon and lasted
until late at night. My mother, a quadriplegic, was universally loved in
our town. She had been through so much pain, yet had endured it with uncommon
grace and good spirit. I think a major reason we had such a strong turnout each
year was because people just wanted to be around Vernice, especially at Christmastime.
what they called an Open House on Christmas
Eve. To me, it was just a big party that started in the afternoon and lasted
until late at night. My mother, a quadriplegic, was universally loved in
our town. She had been through so much pain, yet had endured it with uncommon
grace and good spirit. I think a major reason we had such a strong turnout each
year was because people just wanted to be around Vernice, especially at Christmastime.
The guests
would enter our house amid great fanfare. Most would bring something delicious and homemade. But the favorite visitors were the ones who placed a
fifth or half-gallon of Jack Daniels under the tree for Dad. My father was a
social, happy drinker. I never considered that he had a drinking
problem, and looking back I still don’t. In fact, I enjoyed being around Dad when he was into
the Jack and water. He was a purist in this regard. If you insisted on soda or
some other mixer, you were served Jim Beam, a lesser grade of bourbon.
would enter our house amid great fanfare. Most would bring something delicious and homemade. But the favorite visitors were the ones who placed a
fifth or half-gallon of Jack Daniels under the tree for Dad. My father was a
social, happy drinker. I never considered that he had a drinking
problem, and looking back I still don’t. In fact, I enjoyed being around Dad when he was into
the Jack and water. He was a purist in this regard. If you insisted on soda or
some other mixer, you were served Jim Beam, a lesser grade of bourbon.
When I was a
young boy the adults would shuffle me off to bed at a decent hour, employing the
old adage, “The sooner you get to bed and to sleep, the sooner Santa will
come.” But, in fact, although I may have gone to bed I would often lay awake for
hours listening to the loud, alcohol-fueled conversations drifting down the
hallway from the kitchen and living room. I loved to eavesdrop on the stories
that I was otherwise not allowed to hear. Christmas Eve was the most
educational day of the year for me.
young boy the adults would shuffle me off to bed at a decent hour, employing the
old adage, “The sooner you get to bed and to sleep, the sooner Santa will
come.” But, in fact, although I may have gone to bed I would often lay awake for
hours listening to the loud, alcohol-fueled conversations drifting down the
hallway from the kitchen and living room. I loved to eavesdrop on the stories
that I was otherwise not allowed to hear. Christmas Eve was the most
educational day of the year for me.
When I was in
high school, and Kim was my girlfriend, there was another aspect of Christmas
Eve that worked out very well for us. Danny and Darlene, neighbors from across
the street, would come over to the party for a couple of hours. During that
time Kim and I would babysit their two sleeping children. Danny and Darlene had a water bed. Enough said?
high school, and Kim was my girlfriend, there was another aspect of Christmas
Eve that worked out very well for us. Danny and Darlene, neighbors from across
the street, would come over to the party for a couple of hours. During that
time Kim and I would babysit their two sleeping children. Danny and Darlene had a water bed. Enough said?
When I was in college,my brothers and other people my age became the late-night partiers, staying up long after my aging parents. I wonder if Mom and Dad eavesdropped on our
loud conversations and became educated about things that they otherwise
wouldn’t have.
Then one year,
out of the blue, my mother told me that there would be no more Christmas Eve open houses for the next seven years. I was incredulous. “Why?”
out of the blue, my mother told me that there would be no more Christmas Eve open houses for the next seven years. I was incredulous. “Why?”
My father was
a shift foreman at the paper mill. He worked a rotating schedule called the
southern swing. They knew that for the next seven Christmas Eves he would be
working the 3 PM to 11 PM shift, and so there would be no parties. I was
heartbroken. That tradition was my favorite part of Christmas. Sadly, everyone
in town moved on and developed new Christmas Eve traditions, and my parents
grew old. The Christmas Eve open houses never resumed.
a shift foreman at the paper mill. He worked a rotating schedule called the
southern swing. They knew that for the next seven Christmas Eves he would be
working the 3 PM to 11 PM shift, and so there would be no parties. I was
heartbroken. That tradition was my favorite part of Christmas. Sadly, everyone
in town moved on and developed new Christmas Eve traditions, and my parents
grew old. The Christmas Eve open houses never resumed.
And now having
written this piece, I realize how very much I miss my parents, all of
my friends and relatives who are no longer with us, and this simpler time in our lives. The ghosts of Christmas
past do indeed haunt me.
written this piece, I realize how very much I miss my parents, all of
my friends and relatives who are no longer with us, and this simpler time in our lives. The ghosts of Christmas
past do indeed haunt me.
Mitch, I loved the parties too, we didn't go to many, but they were fun,I certainly miss your mother, she was an angel. Loved the post, brought back fond memories.
Carole
Oh Mitch,
How absolutely wonderful. I love hearing people's Christmas memories and I especially love reading about your Mom. You have inspired me to go dig out a piece I wrote and post it. I'll send you a copy.
Have the best of Christmases!
Mitch,
I love this post! It made me laugh and made me cry. Merry xmas to you and Kim. Maybe Santa will leave you a water bed under your tree.
Michelle (bestadmom)
Carole, the memories are both painful and wonderful at the same time, aren't they?
Daphne, I look forward to reading your piece.
Michelle, that was the intended effect – nearly simultaneous laughing and crying 🙂