Childhood Christmas

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Thank you all for reading my Christmas Story blog and for all the nice words you wrote me about it. That was a Christmas memory from my adult life.

I also have sweet memories of childhood Christmases.

Even though I was the only child of a single parent, I was very fortunate to live next door to my grandparents. My mother was the middle child of ten and most of her brothers and sisters lived nearby. So it was easy for all the holidays of the year to be celebrated next door at my grandparents’ house. This continued even after they passed on, because both the oldest and youngest children of the family weren’t married and continued to live in the family home.

My mother and I decorated a tree in our little house. Sometimes a few of my cousins helped. Then I got to join in decorating the tree next door, where all the family gathered on Christmas Eve. We all exchanged little gifts. Before we began, we stood in the dark, with only the lights of the tree glowing, and sang Silent Night.

Sometimes we went to Midnight Mass; sometimes we went early Christmas Day. We were all in our own homes on Christmas morning, awaiting the arrival of Santa Clause, of course!

We had a small, red, pot-bellied Santa light. Santa was holding a globe with a long clear glass tube coming out of the top of it. It had water in it and once the light heated up, the water would bubble. When I went to bed on Christmas Eve, the only lights in the house were from the tree and the Santa light, and the single tiny light over the nativity scene we always set up. I loved holding all the tiny figures of Mary, Joseph, the Baby, and all the animals. I have a nativity set just like it even now.

I always woke up in the night, and tip-toed into the living room to peek under the tree and see if Santa had come. He ALWAYS beat me there and I would see the gifts he left, but wouldn’t touch them. I’d crawl back into bed and wake up the next morning, ready to open my gifts. Anticipation!

But the most special part was those lights glowing in the dark, the bubbling Santa, and me peeking at the magical gifts, all alone in the quiet darkness.

So, it’s the Mystery of Christmas I remember most. Not the gifts.

Karen

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MKLUCILLE 12/12/2009 6:07PM

That was a great blog love reading peoples memories of Christmas! Report Inappropriate Comment

GABY1948 12/4/2009 5:43PM

What a wonderful and vivid memory of Christmas. I also remember the bubbling lights and Christmases that were not so commercial. Thank you for helping me remember simpler and wonderful memories that I have not thought of for a long time. Report Inappropriate Comment

BELTONWALKER66 12/3/2009 1:47PM

That is a wonderful memory of Christmas. We also had a large family and everyone in the family would gather at Grandma & Grandpa's house for Christmas Day Dinner with the opening of gifts and a special visit from Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus. We also had the bubbling lights on the tree. Our stockings were always filled with fruits & nuts! The memories of our childhood will always be with us! Report Inappropriate Comment

LADYNLI 12/3/2009 12:16PM

What a wonderful memory. I agree the mystery of Christmas is something wonderful!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

FISHINGLADY66 12/3/2009 10:19AM

I love hearing about other peoples Christmas memories. I remember having bubbliing lights on our Christmas Tree. I really loved them. Things really change during the years. I miss my parents and my sisters at Christmas. We always had such a big family with lots of people and Lots and lots of food. I still have a wonderful Christmas with my daughter and my grand kids now. I hope your Christmas is another memorable one. Report Inappropriate Comment

PJSTIME 12/3/2009 7:09AM

Family gatherings and traditions been more than the gifts. I remember my grandparents tree had those bubble lights Oh how I loved to watch those lights. I wish they still had them, but I'm sure they are unsafe or filled with some kind of substance that can't be used. PJ Report Inappropriate Comment

READINGDOC 12/3/2009 6:42AM

It is true that it is the mystery of Christmas that is so wonderful, especially the greatest Gift of all. Lynda Report Inappropriate Comment

Christmas Story

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

One year, after my sons had gone to live and work on their own and Christmas was approaching, I was looking around trying to think of what to buy my husband for Christmas. After I while I realized I was really trying hard to dream up a gift for him. I knew he’d be having an even harder time thinking of what to give me.

This got me to thinking about the whole meaning of giving and of Christmas. I’ll try not to make this terribly long, but this is the idea that came to me and what we actually did for Christmas that year -

My husband was a Game Warden. He often confiscated game killed illegally. What happens to it? We tried giving it to facilities like orphanages, but too many government and health regulations kept that from happening. So he always had a list of people he found who were down on their luck and needed food for their families. Most were country boys who could come retrieve the game and dress it and prepare it for eating. This included venison, wild duck, goose, quail, doves, sometimes fish.

Many of these people in our rural area supported their families off the land, too. They hunted and trapped and sold hides. So Jim would also stop when he saw a hide-bearing animal on the roadside - hit by a car - retrieve it and give it to someone so they could sell the hide. This little extra money made a big difference to some families.

Christmas was close and Jim found a huge raccoon that had been killed so he took it to the house of a construction worker who had hurt his back and was out of work. He knew the man would get a nice sum of money for it, enough to buy a few groceries for his wife and 5 kids. The next week Jim stopped by the man’s house and the kids came running out to greet him. One little boy said, “Mr. Jim. Thanks so much for the raccoon. We haven’t had meat in a long time.”

When Jim told me this, we were both horrified. These people were not only eating something most of us wouldn’t, it was a road kill, intended for the hide sale only. But they hadn’t wasted any of it! I’ve eaten roasted raccoon and it’s ok, but not what I look forward to having for dinner, and certainly not when it’s picked up off the roadside.

So here is the plan I put forward to my husband: This year we will not exchange gifts. We will use the money we would have spent on each other and we’ll buy groceries for this man’s family. The important parts of this are:

1. We are not just giving food to a poor family at Christmas. We are doing this instead of giving to each other. You and I will NOT exchange gifts.

2. We will not tell anyone about this.
A part of the Bible that has always made a huge impression on me is Matthew, Chapter 6, Vs 1-7. To put it in the vernacular - Do your good works in secret, don’t blow your own horn. (You can read it here: tiny.cc/verse

There was a friend at our house when we were discussing this. He did not like the idea because this man was often arrested for one thing or another - misdemeanor crimes. Jim knew lots of people like this and helped them feed their families anyway. They knew if he caught them breaking the law, he’d take them to jail and then take some food to their families. We talked about it for a while and before he left, our friend added his own money to the contribution.

SO, on December 23rd, I left work early and went to the grocery store. I mentally prepared meals for that family of parents and 5 children - 7 days worth, and bought everything that would be needed to prepare them all. That included a turkey dinner for Christmas day and dessert and candy for the kids. I had more than one grocery cart filled. Christmas Eve morning Jim delivered the entire load, including cash we had collected from our friend. I didn’t go.

He came home crying. The gratitude of the entire family just overwhelmed him. It overwhelmed me, too. The father came to our house later to thank me himself and tell me how hard times had been and what this meant to his family. I can’t tell you the deep joy that filled me that Christmas. It was THE most wonderful Christmas I ever had. It became a tradition I repeated many times, but that first time was the most awesome.

So why am I telling you about this now? I want you, most of all, to hear the SEQUEL. The very next year, this man and his family were in better shape. He came to our house again, to let us know that he and his family were doing the same thing for someone they knew that was in bad shape! He was so thankful to us, not only for the gift of food and money, but for the gift of the GIFT. Of seeing the GIFT in action. I went on to hear, in subsequent years, how the GIFT was being passed on, throughout a community of working poor, and yes, people who were often in our jail for one thing or another. Still people with families to feed and needs to be met.

Even though we didn’t tell anyone what we did, the word spread around, mostly through a community of people that most good citizens ignored or wouldn’t associate with. I still hear about it now and then, 25 yrs later. I certainly still reap benefits un-imagined from it. The memory of that first time still gives me chills.

That’s my Christmas Story.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KAYYVAUGHN 12/14/2009 6:14AM

Karen, I agree with Martha. That was definitely a "Pay it Forward." It's so rewarding to do for others. You are a guardian angel. Kay Report Inappropriate Comment

MKLUCILLE 12/12/2009 6:13PM

That was an awesome story, what a great love of Man and God you & your Husband have. God Bless you Both! Report Inappropriate Comment

SCOTMAMA 12/4/2009 11:37AM

A great story, Karen! And the best part is that it's about people that you know personally -- and it shows that the spirit of Christmas and giving can be passed along from person to person! A true story of giving and feeling good about it. Hugs, Eve Report Inappropriate Comment

SOPHIEMAE2007 12/2/2009 6:22PM

Wonderful story! Pay it forward! Report Inappropriate Comment

READINGDOC 12/2/2009 2:22PM

Great story of giving. Thanks for sharing. Lynda Report Inappropriate Comment

JUSTJO66 12/2/2009 1:46PM

A wonderful story and tradition. It blessed my heart to read this. Thank you for sharing with us. Jo Report Inappropriate Comment

GOALIEGRANDMA3 12/1/2009 1:55PM

You started a "pay it forward" long before it was even a saying. We all knew you were a special person. Report Inappropriate Comment

--KREN 12/1/2009 12:20PM

Jim left this world years ago, still living in my heart though. Thank you for all the kind words. Karen Report Inappropriate Comment

FISHINGLADY66 12/1/2009 12:16PM

This is a wonderful story of how people give love and help. Your reward has already come. This is the best blog I have read in a long time. It joys my heart to know there are people like you and Jim in this world. May God Bless you this Christmas. Irene Report Inappropriate Comment

NANCY- 12/1/2009 12:13PM

Everyday is an opportunity to give. Report Inappropriate Comment

BELTONWALKER66 12/1/2009 11:18AM

This is probably the best post I have read in my time with Sparkpeople. To me, this is the true meaning of Christmas, as well as everyday life, in sharing with one another. You & your husband started an amazing tradition in your own way that will continue for years to come. Thank you & Merry Christmas. Linda Report Inappropriate Comment

PJSTIME 12/1/2009 7:26AM

What a wonderful story. I have never done anything quite that big, but I do try and pay it forward in smaller ways. Thank you so much for starting my Tuesday with this story. PJ Report Inappropriate Comment

DAYHIKER 12/1/2009 7:23AM

That's a wonderful Christmas story and likely the best one I'll read this season. Thank you for posting it! Report Inappropriate Comment

BIRDLEGS29 12/1/2009 7:22AM

What a lovely story! The idea of "pass it forward" is not new and you and your husband started quite a chain. Bless you! Jean Report Inappropriate Comment

Are you ready?

Monday, November 30, 2009

The main holiday of the year, no matter what you call it, is on its way.

I'm trying to make a plan. Several plans. One for eating sensibly. One for trying to move a little more each day. One for not getting caught up in the BUY BUY BUY frenzy. One to try to relax, stay quiet, meditate each day.

Everything's a little easier with a plan. Although, it's often true that Life is what happens while you're making plans, lol.

Here's to a Merry Month ahead, with lots of Joy and Love and little stress!

Karen

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SOPHIEMAE2007 12/1/2009 6:03PM

I'm gonna move more this month! Happy Holidays!! Report Inappropriate Comment

NANCY- 12/1/2009 12:05PM

Excellent Plan! Report Inappropriate Comment

CHRYS13 12/1/2009 5:49AM

Wishing you all the joys the Christmas Season brings! Report Inappropriate Comment

JORETTAH 11/30/2009 9:14PM

Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love every aspect of the season from the spiritual and Jesus down to the hustle and bustle, carols, Christmas Programs, the food, the laughter, all of it. Here is to your plans for the holidays. Hope they all come together. I have never sat down and come up with plans for myself. That may be exactly what I need to do. I have never really been accountable to myself. Merry Christmas Karen. Report Inappropriate Comment

BELTONWALKER66 11/30/2009 5:03PM

I love Christmas with all the joy & goodwill in the air, the hustle & bustle, the singing of Christmas Carols, the ringing bells of the Salvation Army. It all makes Christmas so special. I do have a written list that gets revised daily & sometimes hourly. Several Christmas dinners and luncheons are planned with family, friends and employers. During this wonderful time of the year...I tend to plan but end up just going with the flow! Here's wishing you a December, 2009, filled with wonderful memories. Linda Report Inappropriate Comment

FISHINGLADY66 11/30/2009 3:08PM

I love the Christmas Season for the Real meaning of Christmas. If I make plans, someone always changes them for me. But I enjoy it anyway. Report Inappropriate Comment

READINGDOC 11/30/2009 2:17PM

I personally love the Christmas holiday for what it stands for. I enjoy spending time with people and doing things for people, especially for those who are less fortunate than I am. To me Christmas is about love and I try to do my part to spread just a little bit of it around. Report Inappropriate Comment

MOOKBALL 11/30/2009 1:54PM

As a UU I really don't celebrate Christmas, Solstice, Chanukah or Kwanza...so no, I don't have a plan. No need. I don't participate in the craziness or the materialism of the season. Report Inappropriate Comment

PEDAL-PUSHER 11/30/2009 1:28PM

My goal for the next holiday is to NOT BRING HOME LEFTOVERS!!!!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

PJSTIME 11/30/2009 1:05PM

I couldn't survive without a plan of action. Report Inappropriate Comment

GOALIEGRANDMA3 11/30/2009 12:05PM

To quote a character from an old tv show, " I love it when a plan comes together." Hope yours does. Report Inappropriate Comment

I need a new WHAT?

Thursday, November 19, 2009

I need a new hip! Hip-replacement! ME?

My mother is 87 years old and both her hip sockets are fine! What happened to me? Waahhh!

Ok, I'm over the venting, sniff, sniff.

The best part is - the surgeon told me my hip wasn't really configured exactly right anyway. Why is THAT good news? Because he says it's possible that one wonky hip might be the reason for the ten years of muscle spasms in my back.

The hospital doctors have been telling me all along that nothing is wrong with my back. And I have the blood work of Wonder Woman. Really, that's a quote from a doctor. Of course, all I want to know all these years is, if I'm so darn healthy why am I in pain all the time??

Maybe my defective hip is the answer. Where was Quality Control when I got this hip? On coffee break?

Anyway, right this moment, the pain has receded. I've been spending a LOT of time OFF my feet, IN my chair since July. You know, it's a lot like bad breaks in your car. No problem if you never use them. So I've tried not to use my hip much. Finally, the pain is going away.

Ortho Doc says I might not have another flare-up for a year. OR, I might have one next week. So, WHEN do I have the hip-replacement? It's up to ME.

Finally coming out of 4 months of terrific pain, it's pretty hard to say, "OK. Cut me open now while I'm feeling good." After all, I might want to enjoy a Christmas concert, or a play in Austin, or a walk in San Antonio along the riverwalk.

Decisions, decisions. Maybe I'll make it a New Year's Resolution - Install new Body Part, hmmm?

If YOU have had a HIP replacement in the last few years, please tell me all about it. If it's super sensitive stuff, send me a SparkMail.

Thanks!

Karen
PS - Is it a co-incidence that my favorite book is Frankenstein? LOL

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JUSTJO66 12/2/2009 4:22PM

Karen, not only do you paint beautifully BUT you have a great sense of humor and style of "turning a phrase". I thoroughly enjoyed your blog............ oh, sorry, not saying I enjoyed your dilemma about making a decision about hip replacement...that is a BIG decision. My usual response is give yourself plenty of time, pray about it and then go for whatever you feel is right at the time. I have known people who have had the surgery and are very glad they got it done. Jo Report Inappropriate Comment

FISHINGLADY66 11/25/2009 5:23PM

Karen I'm so and I'm so glad. Sorry you have to have the hip replacement, but glad they finally found out why you had back pain. I hope everything will turn out for the good. Just be careful till it happens. My thoughts and prayers are for you. God Bless Comment edited on: 11/25/2009 5:24:15 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

SHASTA11 11/20/2009 9:20PM

My Karen, I just read this blog and am so glad you're not in pain. If I were you I would schedule surgery for after the holidays and be real careful until then. No partaying, no bide riding, no all day marathon shopping sprees. As for Christmas shopping and Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. You can order all your presents on line; children and grandchildren love money. You can even order your festive meals from the grocery store. I wish you the best what ever you decide. Now's the time to start lining up books/magazines to read and movies to watch. Have a great holiday season and start off the New Year with a new part that will give you a new lease on life. Joan Report Inappropriate Comment

SERENITYSEL 11/19/2009 7:38PM

Hi Karen, You and only you will know when it is time. Sometimes life throws us curves, it is up to us to straighten them out, and I get frustrated at times, but I know it is a challenge and I also know it is when I ask God's help. He is always there. I am glad you are pain free if only for a short time, but don't take that as you are well enough to do a lot. Please keep us informed of your decision, we all care for you so much, especially me! You encourage me a lot, and lift me when I am down, I want to do the same for you, so TAKE IT EASY! Sharon Report Inappropriate Comment

--KREN 11/19/2009 5:45PM

I just joined the "Hip Replacement Before and After" team here on Sparks and already have some great help! Karen Report Inappropriate Comment

EMMABE1 11/19/2009 5:41PM

What a wonderful way to look at such a huge thing!! But then I haven't had any replacements - YET!! I gather though that its usually the beginning of a better time - and leads to great improvement. My best wishes to you what ever you decide. Report Inappropriate Comment

JUDY1676 11/19/2009 11:26AM

I'm reading this with great interest because I'm going through the same stuff--except I've not seen an orth person. My Dr. said "you tell me when your ready!" Anyway--don't overdue and best of luck to you in whatever you decide! Judy Report Inappropriate Comment

BEV321 11/19/2009 9:50AM

Karen, I had my surgery 3.5 years ago and nothing has slowed me down since. Life is painfree and wonderful now. I had pain for 3 years and they kept treating my back. Finally they sent me to an orthopedic doctor. He watched me walk and said you need a new hip. Recovery can take a short time or stretch out, depending how much you get yourself moving. You will get therapy. I was walking without cane or walker within a month. I had mine in summer so after a week or so, I would walk outside a short way and stretch it out longer every couple of days. The first couple of weeks I would walk around in my house to get my strength back. I was 68 when I had mine and now three years later I can walk anywhere. I would have the second one done immediatly if I needed it. I am just sorry they didn't figure this out sooner so I wouldn't have missed three years of not doing much. Glad you found our group, I will see you there. Bev-WI Report Inappropriate Comment

PJSTIME 11/19/2009 7:46AM

Oh friend. I hope you get some email responses to help you decide. I'm glad your pain at least for now is better. Have a great day. PJ Report Inappropriate Comment

STAMPINITUP 11/19/2009 7:44AM

You got a great sense of humor throughout all this my friend. I've know people who have had hip replacements and are doing great. They were up and about the next day. I guess the ultimate decission is yours. Maybe you just need to rest that body more than you used to. That seems to be working for you. Just don't get carried away and over do!!! Hugs Marj. Report Inappropriate Comment

Cold Coffee

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The things we do for our pets!

My coffee maker drips coffee right into a stainless steel caraffe. I take it into the computer room each morning and have my coffee while I read the internet, including Spark People, of course!

Rosie likes to join me. Especially in the winter when I'm wearing my warm gray robe. She gets on my lap, puts her paws up on my chest and looks me in the eyes with that "I worship you" look ( the kind you NEVER get from a man, lol) and then settles down on my lap.

However - she MUST rest her head and half of her body on my left arm! Has to be. It's a kitty rule. (Rosie weighs 15.5 lbs.) So, when I want to type, like now, I have to stop and rest the arm every few minutes. I guess I could add it to my workout log, hmmmm? Strength training, 15 lb. weights, left arm only.

The biggest problem is, I sometimes let my coffee cup sit too long, full of coffee, and really need to go microwave it to get it hot again. Nope! Can't disturb the baby kitty, can I?

I'm the sort of person who is very particular about my coffee. I buy gourmet. Grind my own. Picky about the coffee maker, shape of filter, etc. AND my coffee MUST be hot. No lukewarm stuff for me.

Except - when Rosie is on my arm, I can't bear to disturb her, so I (shudder) drink cold coffee, quite a lot.



What else can I do?


Karen

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SERENITYSEL 11/18/2009 7:06PM

Rosie looks like Lucky! Is she a tortie too? If so, read about them. They do own you, not the other way around. I am the same way. Sometimes I have gone to work without making my bed, because Lucky was asleep and I surely wouldn't wake her just to make my bed. She too lays on my arm (or the keyboard) when I am typing (hmm, where is she now). However she only weighs 5 lbs (she is only 6 months old). I carry her to the microwave with me!!! Sometimes she stays, and sometimes she will jump down. (she's awfully quiet, what is she into right now?) My last cat, Onry, weighed 28 lbs. Took after her momma!!!!!! Well, you will have to take "before and after" pictures of your left arm! Ha ha Report Inappropriate Comment

STAMPINITUP 11/18/2009 9:05AM

That's not a kitty...15.5 pounds...that a baby cub. I love the pictures that you have put into my thinking cap. Enjoy the moments!!! They pass far too quickly!! It's amazing what we sacrifice for our kids and our pets!! Marj. Report Inappropriate Comment

FRANCLYN 11/18/2009 9:04AM

Oh do I miss my kitty now. My hubby and older daughter are allergic so having one was a sacrifice for them even though both are devout animal people but Morganna wandered off several years ago. She was beautiful (same kind of tortie as your Rosie) and friendly and had no collar - she could slip a collar in not time flat - so we're hoping she just found another home and they decided to keep her, thinking she was a friendly stray. My daughter has a picture of her framed on her wall. I miss that warm body that would snuggle between your ankles at night, making it impossible to roll over because you weren't about to disturb her just so you could get a better night's sleep. I miss watching my oh-so-whupped hubby make her the occasional bowl of chocolate milk - a little warm, a mix of ovaltine and hershey's. Good Lord but that cat was spoiled. Report Inappropriate Comment

DAYHIKER 11/18/2009 9:04AM

Yikes, your Rosie looks just like our Baby Cakes! Another cat and coffee lover! cindy Report Inappropriate Comment

MYFEETHURT 11/18/2009 8:40AM

I get it...boy do I get it. We finally trained Marlo to get in the computer desk drawer. He loves it now and immediately jumps in as soon as I open it. BUT...I don't vacuum when he's asleep. Can't stand to disturb him. Right now he's on the bathroom counter waiting for me to put some water in the sink so he can play in it and drink some. Happens every single morning. The habits we start. ugh! I guess you nailed it...it's that LOOK...that's what has us hooked and willing to drink that cold coffee! LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

NJDIETZ 11/18/2009 8:09AM

I know the feeling. We have three cats in the house and they rule. Report Inappropriate Comment

JUHOEG 11/18/2009 8:00AM

I enjoy my two cups of coffee in the morning and the rest of the day I have my water (at least 8-10 glasses) and tea. Report Inappropriate Comment