topic Re: Most memorable Christmas in Holiday

Most memorable Christmas

Constance2 — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 01:16:11 GMT

What is your most memorable Christmas?

Re: Most memorable Christmas

DoneTryin — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 01:38:41 GMT

The last ones with each of my parents--1980 & 2007

Re: Most memorable Christmas

Maltichonmom17 — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 01:40:45 GMT

I fondly remember my first Christmas as a new mother. After childhood, Christmas can lose some of its luster and charm and being able to experience Christmas through the eyes of my child was so precious to me. The song Christmas Through Your Eyes by Gloria Estefan always brings those memories back to me, along with a sentimental tear or two.

Re: Most memorable Christmas

Zhills — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 02:15:48 GMT

Still waiting patiently for a memorable one!

Re: Most memorable Christmas

NycVixen — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 03:12:40 GMT

I have to say that every Christmas was so memorable growing up. I don't know how my mom did it year after year as a single mother. But there was one where I can still clearly remember seeing myself underneath the most beautiful tree with gifts upon gifts everywhere. That year, Santa brought my most beloved panda bear and that is when my love affair with stuffed animals really began.

I can see myself smiling and laughing along with my siblings and my beautiful mom nearby and gift wrap everywhere. We were not rich but my mom proved year after year that when will is coupled with effort there is a way to make magical moments happen at any budget.

Re: Most memorable Christmas

Constance2 — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 16:06:23 GMT

Most Christmases in my mind are a blur, but it's funny how one, seemingly normal holiday, can stick in your mind and cause a turning point in your life.

I was a single mother of two young children who lived a block from my parents' home in the neighborhood where I grew up. It was a typical Christmas morning when the children arose early, excited to see what gifts they would be receiving. The coffeepot was on, and a simple breakfast was on the stove. The cozy apartment was decorated with a small tree with just enough colorfully wrapped gifts beneath it.

The doorbell rang and when I went to see who could be there so very early, I was surprised to see my mother standing there. She always had difficulty walking due to diabetic neuropathy, and rarely left the house on her own. She didn't drive and depended on dad and others to take her places. She had never been able to walk to my apartment, so I always visited her and dad at their home. We traditionally celebrated holidays with them and would be there later to exchange gifts with the rest of the family.

I invited her in and told her I was happy, and yet very surprised to see her. She said she just wanted to see the kids open their gifts. I had no idea it would mean that much to her.

After pouring her a cup of coffee, she sat down in a rocking chair near the tree with a smile on her face. Her eyes twinkled as she saw each gift unwrapped by the children and appeared as happy as they were with every present they received.

A transformation was slowly taking place in my own heart as I watched in wonder as she sat there contentedly. It struck me for the first time, how very lonely she must be. My father was company for her, but was not the type of man to care about her emotional needs, and she was too private a person to share her most intimate thoughts with anyone. She kept her feelings inside.

Before that Christmas morning, I was unaware of just how special my mother was, and how much she meant to me. She became not just my mother on that day, but a true friend and fellow, struggling human being that I had been taking very much for granted.

I didn't realize it at that time being self-absorbed and wrapped up in my own life, but my mother was the most unselfish woman I know. She gave her entire life in service to her family and others. She worked in a noisy factory after dad got too sick to work, and what was supposed to be a temporary job, lasted until retirement for she wanted to give her four children a better life.

She must have been very tired from working so hard at home and in that factory, yet she did it all without complaint. Besides keeping house, she cooked three meals a day, seven days a week. If her children needed anything, she would sacrifice to help them when she could. All this and she never missed church on Sunday mornings and taught her children that God came first and to obey Him always.

It's been about 40 years now, and both my parents are gone, but I can still remember that day that caused me to appreciate a woman who gave so much, yet received so little in return. She can best be described by the biblical description of the virtuous woman, and this child was blessed to call her "mom."

Re: Most memorable Christmas

Mominohio — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 17:02:45 GMT

@Constance2 wrote:
Most Christmases in my mind are a blur, but it's funny how one, seemingly normal holiday, can stick in your mind and cause a turning point in your life.

I was a single mother of two young children who lived a block from my parents' home in the neighborhood where I grew up. It was a typical Christmas morning when the children arose early, excited to see what gifts they would be receiving. The coffeepot was on, and a simple breakfast was on the stove. The cozy apartment was decorated with a small tree with just enough colorfully wrapped gifts beneath it.

The doorbell rang and when I went to see who could be there so very early, I was surprised to see my mother standing there. She always had difficulty walking due to diabetic neuropathy, and rarely left the house on her own. She didn't drive and depended on dad and others to take her places. She had never been able to walk to my apartment, so I always visited her and dad at their home. We traditionally celebrated holidays with them and would be there later to exchange gifts with the rest of the family.

I invited her in and told her I was happy, and yet very surprised to see her. She said she just wanted to see the kids open their gifts. I had no idea it would mean that much to her.

After pouring her a cup of coffee, she sat down in a rocking chair near the tree with a smile on her face. Her eyes twinkled as she saw each gift unwrapped by the children and appeared as happy as they were with every present they received.

A transformation was slowly taking place in my own heart as I watched in wonder as she sat there contentedly. It struck me for the first time, how very lonely she must be. My father was company for her, but was not the type of man to care about her emotional needs, and she was too private a person to share her most intimate thoughts with anyone. She kept her feelings inside.

Before that Christmas morning, I was unaware of just how special my mother was, and how much she meant to me. She became not just my mother on that day, but a true friend and fellow, struggling human being that I had been taking very much for granted.

I didn't realize it at that time being self-absorbed and wrapped up in my own life, but my mother was the most unselfish woman I know. She gave her entire life in service to her family and others. She worked in a noisy factory after dad got too sick to work, and what was supposed to be a temporary job, lasted until retirement for she wanted to give her four children a better life.

She must have been very tired from working so hard at home and in that factory, yet she did it all without complaint. Besides keeping house, she cooked three meals a day, seven days a week. If her children needed anything, she would sacrifice to help them when she could. All this and she never missed church on Sunday mornings and taught her children that God came first and to obey Him always.

It's been about 40 years now, and both my parents are gone, but I can still remember that day that caused me to appreciate a woman who gave so much, yet received so little in return. She can best be described by the biblical description of the virtuous woman, and this child was blessed to call her "mom."

@Constance2

I can't really put together a decent reply to this, because the tears are blocking any coherent thoughts.

I just hope that every good mother gets to experience knowing how appreciated and grateful their family is for all they do.

Re: Most memorable Christmas

corita — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 18:00:19 GMT

@Mominohio wrote:
@Constance2 wrote:
Most Christmases in my mind are a blur, but it's funny how one, seemingly normal holiday, can stick in your mind and cause a turning point in your life.

I was a single mother of two young children who lived a block from my parents' home in the neighborhood where I grew up. It was a typical Christmas morning when the children arose early, excited to see what gifts they would be receiving. The coffeepot was on, and a simple breakfast was on the stove. The cozy apartment was decorated with a small tree with just enough colorfully wrapped gifts beneath it.

The doorbell rang and when I went to see who could be there so very early, I was surprised to see my mother standing there. She always had difficulty walking due to diabetic neuropathy, and rarely left the house on her own. She didn't drive and depended on dad and others to take her places. She had never been able to walk to my apartment, so I always visited her and dad at their home. We traditionally celebrated holidays with them and would be there later to exchange gifts with the rest of the family.

I invited her in and told her I was happy, and yet very surprised to see her. She said she just wanted to see the kids open their gifts. I had no idea it would mean that much to her.

After pouring her a cup of coffee, she sat down in a rocking chair near the tree with a smile on her face. Her eyes twinkled as she saw each gift unwrapped by the children and appeared as happy as they were with every present they received.

A transformation was slowly taking place in my own heart as I watched in wonder as she sat there contentedly. It struck me for the first time, how very lonely she must be. My father was company for her, but was not the type of man to care about her emotional needs, and she was too private a person to share her most intimate thoughts with anyone. She kept her feelings inside.

Before that Christmas morning, I was unaware of just how special my mother was, and how much she meant to me. She became not just my mother on that day, but a true friend and fellow, struggling human being that I had been taking very much for granted.

I didn't realize it at that time being self-absorbed and wrapped up in my own life, but my mother was the most unselfish woman I know. She gave her entire life in service to her family and others. She worked in a noisy factory after dad got too sick to work, and what was supposed to be a temporary job, lasted until retirement for she wanted to give her four children a better life.

She must have been very tired from working so hard at home and in that factory, yet she did it all without complaint. Besides keeping house, she cooked three meals a day, seven days a week. If her children needed anything, she would sacrifice to help them when she could. All this and she never missed church on Sunday mornings and taught her children that God came first and to obey Him always.

It's been about 40 years now, and both my parents are gone, but I can still remember that day that caused me to appreciate a woman who gave so much, yet received so little in return. She can best be described by the biblical description of the virtuous woman, and this child was blessed to call her "mom."

@Constance2

I can't really put together a decent reply to this, because the tears are blocking any coherent thoughts.

I just hope that every good mother gets to experience knowing how appreciated and grateful their family is for all they do.

--------------------------------

Tears in my eyes too. Beautifully written thoughts about your mother, Constance. You have a gift for writing!!

Re: Most memorable Christmas

Constance2 — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 20:08:35 GMT

Thank you for your kind words, mominohio and corita. They mean a lot.

Re: Most memorable Christmas

Puzzle Piece — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 01:09:27 GMT

We weren't big on Christmas growing up. My most memorable was when I was seeing my husband and he put up a small Charlie Brown tree for me. He invited me over as he'd never bought a tree nor decorated one - he was so proud. Of course I supported his efforts and his presents. My, the way he wrapped those things - like a man would wrap them - too much tape, off-wonked paper placement, etc. It is the heart and the thought that counts.

Re: Most memorable Christmas

151949 — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:55:54 GMT

Our childhood Christmases were all memorable, even though we were poor and did not get a huge stack of gifts. We would get a gift from Santa and one from our parents. As the day progressed and grandparents and aunts and uncles arrived there would be more small gifts - things like coloring books and paper dolls or boxed games & puzzles. We thought those were fabulous presents! My Mother would spend weeks before Christmas getting ready - baking and baking. Mostly stuff to give as gifts but there was more than enough for our family too. My Grandpap always took us into Pittsburgh to see the store windows and the local radio station that set up and did all sorts of antics in a store window to raise money for the Children's hospital.Then we would go and he would help us buy a gift for my parents.help us meaning - he paid for it.

Re: Most memorable Christmas

Mominohio — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 15:22:34 GMT

@151949 wrote:
Our childhood Christmases were all memorable, even though we were poor and did not get a huge stack of gifts. We would get a gift from Santa and one from our parents. As the day progressed and grandparents and aunts and uncles arrived there would be more small gifts - things like coloring books and paper dolls or boxed games & puzzles. We thought those were fabulous presents! My Mother would spend weeks before Christmas getting ready - baking and baking. Mostly stuff to give as gifts but there was more than enough for our family too. My Grandpap always took us into Pittsburgh to see the store windows and the local radio station that set up and did all sorts of antics in a store window to raise money for the Children's hospital.Then we would go and he would help us buy a gift for my parents.help us meaning - he paid for it.

Doesn't it seem that the more simple the holiday was, the better the memories?

I think we have gotten way off track, with so much at the holidays now. We seem to over do everything from the number/price of the gifts, to the decor, to the number of people we think we have to give gifts to (the hairdresser, the mail man, the bus driver........thank you Q), the number of trees we put up, and on and on.

Maybe because it is the past, but it does seem that the fondest Christmas memories are from simpler times.

Re: Most memorable Christmas

Constance2 — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:07:43 GMT

I agree, mominohio. Society as a whole seems to have gotten way off track and are focusing on material things more than those that are truly important. I can recall few gifts I ever received through the years, but I can recall Christmases spent with family and/or friends and fun experiences. We can run around like chickens trying to get everything done during the holiday, and it's an unnecessary burden we place upon ourselves.

Re: Most memorable Christmas

151949 — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 23:43:56 GMT

Christmas has definitely gotten way off track with all the materialization -- gifts, gifts gifts and more gifts. One of my favorite memories from my Childhood Christmases is going to church on Christmas eve with my grandparents. They went to a church that still did much of the service in german. I would sit next to my grandma and she would sing the hymns in the german of her childhood. I still know all the words to all the versus of Silent Night in German, and it is actually much prettier in German - the language it was written in.

Re: Most memorable Christmas

cater — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 02:40:40 GMT

Constance2, please may I say I have read so many posters tell about their memories of their parents but I have to tell you that yours is the most beautiful written and it reads that it came from your heart your Mom would be bursting with pride if she could have read what you wrote from your heart.

Re: Most memorable Christmas

Constance2 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:39:58 GMT

cater, thank you. You made me cry, but I appreciate your kind words.

Re: Most memorable Christmas

Mama Mia — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 19:23:08 GMT

I was nine years old and my Mom was at the Rochester, Mn, Mayo Clinic. She had been there a long time, for me, having had surgery and radiation for breast cancer. I missed her so much.

On Christmas Eve my Dad said he had to leave for a few minute. He came back with my Mother, who had taken the bus all the way from Mn to SD where we lived. It was so joyous and wonderful to have her home again. How she did it, but she brought me this beautiful white voile, lace trimmed long sleeved blouse for me.

It was my last good one. She was only home a few months and then hospitalized for two years before she died. No hospice then.

Re: Most memorable Christmas

Constance2 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 19:29:15 GMT

Oh my goodness, MamaMia. You were so very young to lose your dear mother. I'm sure you have many wonderful memories of her that you treasure still.

Re: Most memorable Christmas

FastDogWalker2 — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 23:09:08 GMT

When my husband was in AOCS (Aviation Officer Candidate School in the Navy). He had been away for 3 months and I was SO excited to see him! After 35 years of marriage and 30 years as the wife of an active duty Naval officer, 3 months seems like nothing, but at the time it was a long time to be separated!

Re: Most memorable Christmas

apple1964 — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 14:35:41 GMT

There was one X-mass that sticks in my mind more then the others. I was 10 years old and had to have my tonsils taken out. My B-day is the week before X-mass. I was waking up from being in recovery when I saw all of my family in attendance a big b-day cake and X-mass decorations all over the room [that was not there before] They all sang happy b-day to me and then everyone started singing X-mass carols. The nurses heard it was my b-day and even brought me comic books and candy. It was a wonderful experience for a little girl who was scared and shy. And as I was being wheeled out of my room to go home all the nurses and even my doctor were singing along with me to shes a" jolly good girlfriend" [they changed the lyric for me] I made a lot of wonderful friends that day!