Christmas Presence - Back in our day . . .
I have always loved Christmas. There was a time as a child when I believed in Santa Clause and fell asleep in the floor one cold winter's night, while watching out the window for Santa and his sleigh and reindeer to go in front of the moon! I didn't see him though and fell asleep on the cold linoleum. My parent's found me of course and put me in bed! The next morning I woke up early and sneaked out to the living room and found my Ricky Ricardo doll and took it back to bed with me! There were tons of presents, but I didn't open anything....just the doll. Later on, they all woke up and we had the best Christmas ever! My Grandmother spoiled us kids because my Dad was a coal miner and didn't make much money. She worked in Charleston, WV and she'd bring home food and gifts almost every weekend. But for Christmas she went all out! I got a set of real china, a table and chairs, my doll and buggy, a high chair for the doll, and paper dolls and coloring books and crayons! I had so much I didn't know what to play with first. But, in spite of it all, I didn't get that spoiled. I loved my toys, but I shared with my cousin Sandra and my friends.
Then as I grew, I did for others! Especially my Mother. One year after our Dad left us, I felt so bad for her that I bought her a set of beautiful dinnerwear, a set of pots and pans, a sewing chest, a new coffee maker, and so much more I don't remember. She insisted I didn't need to do all that, but I couldn't help in any other way. I wanted her to be happy, not realizing that things can't replace people. The pain she felt was intense. She had always been with Dad and followed him wherever he'd take us. He was in the Navy after the mines shut down and we moved a lot. But when the family followed me back to California from Minnesota, and he had to go back there and finish his tour of duty or request a change in duty, he lost interest in us. Said he felt empty. He then was put on a carrier and sent out for 9 months. When he came back home, he transferred again to Seattle and Mom refused to go. He stayed gone for many years. Christmas was calm and quiet...no arguments for a change. But she had no money and felt bad, so in spite of the things I bought for her and the family, the Christmas was rather flat.
I met my husband when he came to work in our office. We didn't talk at first. But eventually we started talking and he was a very interesting person. He told me things I'd never heard before and it began making good sense to me. I changed the way I dealt with people, not saying a word, just playing out the rope so they could hang themselves and not blame for it! I liked him a lot! We had great times together. We went to the desert and climbed the sand dunes and hills...I fell on my stomach and slid down Diablo on my stomach for a few feet. He had shown me what to do and I did just that. He layed on his stomach at the top of the hill and could reach my hand. He helped me get back up on top and I just started laughing myself silly! I think it was relief!! ha ha But, we hit it off and on July of 1975 he asked me to marry him! Said we could have a baby! Something I'd always wanted. So we did get married on Christmas Eve of 1975 and by November of 1976 we were parents of twin boys! Christmas that year was mostly just showing the babies the pretty tree lights. We made a trip out to our local Saveon drug store and bought a little fake tree. There were a few gifts we bought for each other, but not a lot. The grandparents bought things for the babies and bought a few things for us as well. But Christmas improved over the years and there were all sorts of things...big wheels, play dough, fireman hats and cars and all sorts of stuff. We stepped on them in the dark when we were checking up on who needed a drink of water or someone had to go to the potty.
But time passed, as it does, quickly and before you knew it, the kids were 7 or 8 and we bought what we could. We didn't have a lot even though we both worked. But things improved with time. I'm skipping around a lot because I just want to keep Christmas in front of your eyes as it is Christmas today, in 2014. Both boys were married and had 7 grandkids for us to spoil. Right now our oldest twin is asleep on the sofa and will get up early and go get his kids. He divorced his wife and the kids live with her. There are many presents under the tree and most of them are for the kids. It's fun and I am excited like a youngster even though I turned 68 just yesterday! Maybe I'm reverting back to my childhood! ha ha Whatever!!! I am determined to have fun for the rest of my life! I've been sick a lot, and it took the joy out of life for a long time. But now, well, I have my Christmas Wish, a sound mind, a healthy heart, and a family to love and surprise with gifts and much love! God is good to us and I always make a point of celebrating the truth of Christmas with each new grandchild that comes along. My sons are happy with their children and don't plan to have any more. My daughter takes care of Jack and I and takes care of our son's kids during the week. She is one in a million and I hope she really enjoys her Christmas this year! Life has been good to us. There have been hard times, like there is for everyone, but we are survivors and overcomers and we are happy and content with our lives. Christmas is a celebration of a miracle! A Baby born in a manger that would become the Savior of the whole world! Jesus, we love you so much, and we thank you for saving Jack's live last year. Accept our Birthday greetings to you and be with us here today and bless us with peace, love, and the joy of the Christmas Miracle, YOU! If you need good news, I couldn't offer any better! Jesus is the reson for Christmas and we express our love for our families in the best way we now how....with gifts from the heart and kisses and hugs for everyone. I don't think Jesus feels slighted! He received gifts as well...and was the most well adjusted child ever. But then,...He was special and Jesus, we know without you, we'd all be lost. Thank you for coming to earth to give us a way to paradise! Thank you for dying for us Lord, and help us to never make light of what your life meant to the world! We love you, The Tyler Gang!