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Reflections of Christmases past
yet they remain the same as these senior citizens recall childhood memories of Christmas For the past several years the Cherokeean Herald has solicited Christmas remembrance stories from residents of local nursing homes. The stories of past Christmases are touching and take us all back to the days of our youth. BY EVA BYNUM When I was about 6-7 years old I wanted a doll for Christmas. Our stockings were hung on fireplace and us kids were in bed. I was wanting to see Santa Claus, so I stayed awake. That was year I heard mama tell my daddy he better eat some cake and drink milk, as the children would expect it to be gone. That was year I got a comb and fruit, nuts in my stocking, instead of a doll. That was also year I found out my parents were Santa Claus. BY MINNIE GILCREASE When I was young girl I can remember my Mother cooking pies, cakes, and cookies the week of Christmas. That Christmas all family and kin were at mama and daddy's house for Christmas and 1 got a porcelain doll with sleepy eyes. I was very happy to receive it.
When I was 14 or 15 I was in charge of watching my brothers and sisters while my mother worked. That year before Christmas my father got him a full time job and was able to give us a wonderful Christmas with plenty of food, gifts, and lots of love. BY ESSIE HAMILTON My favorite Christmas was not as a child but as an adult. All my children and their children came home to help celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. We enjoyed everyone's company and had a good time lots of food and family fun. BY MARY O. LLOYD We always had a good Christmas with a big meal. My mother and sisters came and we all got in the kitchen and cooked up a big meal. Every Christmas my husband always gave me a gift before Christmas day. But that particular Christmas he did not bring me anything before Christmas day. Just before lunch on Christmas day he came in with a little box that had a beautiful diamond and garnet ring in it. I guess that was my favorite Christmas ever.
When my children were little we went to the woods and cut our own cedar tree. It was so much fun looking for one. My children made part of our ornaments at school, such as making round circles out of construction paper. We also made popcorn and strung it to put on the tree at home. The children always wanted to see what they got too early in the morning, waking us up. It was so much fun watching them open their gifts. BY CHARLES BROWN My two sisters and I lived in Dallas when I was around 5 or 6 years old. My grandma had turkey and dressing and a bunch of good food every year. One Christmas in particular when we got up my sisters got dolls, dishes, stoves and doll clothes. And I got boots, a cowboy hat, toy cars, trucks, plane and a train. This was my favorite Christmas. BY MEMPHIS TENNESSEE LOW When I was a boy my dad raised me and we lived on a farm where my dad worked for Mr. Bell. On Christmas his family always made sure we had a big meal.
BY LOIS BOLES The thing that I miss most about the holidays is preparing meals with my mother. Also, I miss putting up the Christmas tree and decorating it. BY MAE BAGLEY I miss getting my little dolls with the real hair that was the main thing. But, the fruit was also good. BY DOROTHY NANCE I remember leaving Santa Claus milk and cookies. But, the most important thing I remember is all the gifts I used to get. BY ANNA YOUNG Back home in Germany we went to church on Christmas Eve in a wagon pulled by one horse. When we got home after church the tree was decorated and filled with gifts. It was beautiful.
I was raised on a farm. Always had plenty to eat, very little money. Every Christmas was good because we didn't have to work. We would hang up Christmas stockings. Whatever we got in them was good. There were pecans, an apple and orange and a little cap pistol. We played cowboys and Indians and had a great time. BY JACK DAVIS The Christmas I remember the most was one when I was three or four years old and we went to grandmother's house in Dialville. We were in the living room and I was playing in the fire and they told me if I didn't quit playing in the fire they would send me to bed. They finally got me to bed with my grandmother. Anyway it was Christmas Eve and I heard bells tinkle and ringing. I thought it was Santa Claus and I finally went to sleep. The next morning my mother called me to the window. It had snowed. It was white. Three years later my grandfather told me it was him with the bell.
I love Christmas. We get to have a Christmas tree all lit up and see friends and the table where everyone is crowded around to see the food they bring out to eat. You can see a big smile on my face and the ones that come see us. If you think I am happy you are right and we get gifts too. I am just like a child in a candy store. To see them smile and eat a candy cane and other candy. And I love to get shoes every year. That was what my daddy got me and a rocking chair that doesn't take up a lot of space. I have a lot of fun and see things decorated right for Christmas. BY JUANITA SANTIAGO I remember being with my family. We would wake up and go the Midnight Mass at church and thank the Lord for what He has given us through out the year, that's the most important part of our lives. We would return home and open half of our gifts. It's such a wonderful time of the year and it seems that we don't realize how thankful we should be.
BY ANITA ADAMS My mother would always have the most beautiful tree and pretty gifts even though we had little money. You wouldn't believe how beautiful this tree was. She has trouble keeping money but we managed. When my father passed, I was 6 months old. She was the first attorney in Houston (Florence Taulbee). BY PAULINE HART When my brother came in from service, we would call everyone in we knew to celebrate his homecoming. We stayed in a little country town but to be 88 I have enjoyed every Christmas. BY JANICE GRIFFIN When my husband brought me a new wedding band for Christmas I was not expecting it because we were not getting along and that Christmas morning the kids and I were there when he gave it to me and told me he loved me. It was my best Christmas ever.
My mother bought me a new red bike. I was so excited to get it and I will never forget my mom for giving me that bike. BY JOYCE WOLF We were in Gallatin at my house. My son was very sick. I got to spend all day with him. We ate and opened presents. I will never forget it because my son died on Jan. 7, 2005. BY MARY SMITH We lived on a farm and we all went in the woods looking for the perfect tree. We found the most beautiful tree. Daddy cut it down and took it to the house. We had to walk about a mile back. Mom, my siblings and I made decorations and put them on the tree. We then ate a big dinner Mom had fixed. All our family was there. Then we got to open our presents and I got a beautiful yellow and red dress. This was my best Christmas ever. BY WILLIE JOSHOM I was in the service and I got out in 1957 and that was my best Christmas. I got to be with my family.
My best Christmas was when my mom and dad were living. It was the best time. BY ROY KENACHE When I was four I got four little cars and a big truck where the lights would light up. BY DELLA HOPPER
When I was a little girl Mom got me a dolly and some little tin dishes and that was the best gift for Christmas.
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