From my memory now I think back and cherish the thoughts of years gone by.. It was a cold and wintery day..and as Christmas was approaching..I had many thoughts of what I would like Santa to bring..my brother and I were always close..and I often wished he were the older one of us two..I always had to watch after my little brother..but he was a lot of joy in my life..and the extra responsibility was okay some of the times..but we always had to work hard..some people called us dirt farmers..
I was fourteen and my brother only four..with the age difference of ten years I was half grown when Sammy came along..mom and dad wanted other children..and never thought they would ever have any more but guess Sammy proved them wrong..
We lived in the Shanandoah Valley in the upper Virginia area..it was such a beautiful place here..and like many families we saw a lot of hard times..dad working in the coal minds for years until eventually they were shut down..now we were just like everyone else..just trying to get by with the skills that we had learned in our lives..and I sure was learning fast..mom was a sweet..gentle woman..and dad was a great father..but with nothing but a high school education and no formal training and working from a young boy right out of school in the coal minds as his dad and his dad before him..it was hard to break the tradition ..
Now he was doing on his own without the support of the county store run by the minds..the clinic which also was run by the minds..everything you needed to live in this impoverished city was furnished from the minds..and the union..
This was the worst winter in years..snow was not uncommon in our area..usually starting in the late month of October or early November..but that year everything started early..the bitter cold was deepening..and you sure did not have to be told more than once to wrap up well..we were fortunate to have warm clothes..thick warm socks..and heavy leather brogan shoes..just walking to school was sometimes a chore..but you did not lay out because of snow..as now days..when the first few flakes start to fall they call school off..or send children home..
Our little school was small but still large enough for the twenty two students who went there..some children never did try to come to school..but then those were the children of parents who also never went..so therefore why the need for there child to learn the three R's..readin..writin.. and rithmetic..
Mom and dad were smart people..they had been to school..and even my granny had been to collage.. so schooling was a very important part of our life.. mom often helped in the school as a extra teacher..
On this particular day I can remember so clearly..the wind was blowing and the snow falling so fast and heavy..the flakes as big as the palm of your hand..and within just a while..there was another few inches to compound what had already fallen..never had we seen something like this in years..this was going to be the big one as the old people would say..and here right at Christmas time..
Sammy and I would play by the fireplace in the living room..
the house smelled of fresh baked cookies that my mom and granny had baked..they always had plenty of spices..some from growing their own..others bought..and the pantry always canned goods were plentiful as well..at least we would not go hungry..and if the power were to go out we always had plenty of kerosene lanterns..we were lucky to have a tv..but receiving only one channel..most of the time it was so snowy you could not see anything at all on it anyway..so why bother..our grandpa gave this to us the year before he died..
So actually we were fortunate..although we did no have a lot of money to spend on things we would have liked too..we knew and understood why..and excepted this fact.
All I could think of and wanted was one of the new updated record players..they could play fourty fives..and seventy eight speed..and some even played the large thirty three and a third speed..some of my friends already had one and they were something to see an hear..and that was it far as Christmas..now this did not mean I would get it or get anything for that matter..but the thought was there daily in my mind and when I would say my prayers at night before going to bed..I would ask Jesus if he could to see that I got that beautiful two tone blue record player..
Money had been tight...and the tannery where dad worked due to bad weather was down for a couple weeks which was a first in the history of the tannery.. we were not hungry..were warm..and the only bills we had were the electric bill..and the phone a month..some on the store bill..but no money coming in there was no way wishing for something for Christmas was going to happen..
Now Christmas was approaching..and Sammy kept looking into the wish book..that Sears and Roebuck sent out once a year..we two would sit for hours looking and talking of when we were better off of what we would like to see...have ...and give to others..that night when getting ready for bed..the wind was howling ..and the cold seemed to seep to your bones..dad and I had brought a little fur tree inside to decorate..I had been making decorations for the tree all week..out of paper..coloring them with crayons..and making paper chains of different strips colored and glued together with flour and water..they did not look bad either..so at least we had a few things for the tree..an each year dad got out the old christmas light bulbs and we would get so much enjoyment of putting the lights on our tree..along with popcorn strings..and cranberry strings..or anything we could find to make for the holidays..mom had bee's wax candles..and we used those too!!
My dad was in a cheerful mood..and we all were so happy...not having much but in some ways more than most..and just think only two more days until Christmas..mom and Granny have invited some of the kin folk to drop by for Christmas dinner and there would be plenty for all..and what they may bring would only add to the delicious food of the season..
Mom always read the Night Before Christmas Story and my brother and I sat and listened with smiles on our faces and the thoughts of what may be a surprise on Christmas morning..we had always got a little something..and no matter what it might be we were always so happy..and appreciative ...
I awoke Christmas morning with nice thoughts..and getting out of bed..the first thing I did was go down stairs to see the tree and if Santa had left anything at all..
there was a really pretty doll for me and handmade made clothes..of the nicest quality..and although I felt like I was a little to old for a doll at my age..I was so pleased at getting anything at all..my little brother was coming down from the loft and to see the look of pure excitement on his face was worth just having Christmas at all..he had a nice wooden truck..and it was painted red..how glad he was and he ran through to the kitchen to tell mom and dad of the nice toy..momma had made me a nice set of mittens..and a scarf for around my neck of the softest yarn..and I sure could use this..
Granny had made my brother and I shirts out of flour sacks..and mine was a white background and little tiny roses on the blouse..and my brother's was blue with a small strip of light blue in the material..and he was really excited to put it on..so here he was with his long night shirt on and his new shirt..carrying his new red truck around..we all laughed..and laughed at his little antics..
Our family was together and we all had a beautiful Christmas dinner..with my Aunt Pat..and Uncle Dekker..and there daughter who was a little older than I was..she telling me of all the beautiful clothes she had gotten..but she would be going to high school again this year and this would be her last year before going to Mayfield College close to Tazwell Va..
The day had been long and everyone was winding down..and my brother in bed now I was soon to follow..hugging granny..mom..and dad..before going to bed I had to tell them this was a wonderful Christmas..and I was pleased with everything I had gotten..going to sleep I felt bad because I still wished for the record player..and my little brother was still talking of those kittens he had wanted..but we were lucky and happy...I should be ashamed of myself...
I had not been a sleep long when my mom came to wake me saying for me to get my brother and come down stairs..not knowing what the problem would be I raised Sammy and we headed for down stairs..mom and dad were sitting before the fire..with a puzzled look on their faces..and when I ask..what was the matter..mom said "go look under the tree ..I think you forgot some of your presents"..turning towards the tree..there it was the navy two tone blue record player..and two 45 records..I could not believe it...it really was there..I could feel it..and see it..how could this be..I know I had not forgotten anything...when I looked under the tree this morning..Oh i was so tickled..you know that jittery happy feeling..that shiver you get from excitement.. I still could not believe it..nearly jumping into dad's lap I said "oh daddy I really did get that record player after all"...then all of a sudden I hear this faint little meow..and there they were the cutest two little kittens..one little yellow tabby ..and a black and tan tabby..they were adorable..and Sammy was having a time hugging and holding them ever so gently..Oh it was just wonderful..what a day..and as I looked at dad he just winked at me..from this day I have no idea how they ever managed that record player..nor the kittens for my brother...but no matter how many Holidays there are and the Christmas years that go by I will never forget that Christmas of my fourteenth year..it will always stick in my mind..and I thank God each year as I grow old now..that I have such nice thoughts to carry with me..for the rest of my life..
Kyusha©™1999
