Some Thoughts on Family
Believe in those around you.
My mother and father could not have been different. Dad went to college and got his masters degree in education. As I’ve said elsewhere he was my high school principle. It created an interesting dynamic. I can’t say I was ever close to my father, but I did admire him. He believed in right and wrong and he lived his life to always do the right thing.
My mother loved him completely. She married him the summer after graduating from High School. From then until all my siblings were out of the house she was a housewife first. She braided rugs to adorn our house, made quilts to keep us warm as we slept. And she did not judge, but taught us right from wrong. Her response if we did something that upset her was to correct us. If our behavior was particular bad, it was wait until your father gets home.
They made a great couple.
They complemented each other. Both taught us to be independent. But they also taught us to respect others. It may have taken me longer than my siblings for this to sit in.
The holidays were always festive
My parents were never rich, but we were never poor. My mother’s cooking and decorating skills were wonderful. Our Christmas tree was always real and decorated with candy canes and strings of pop corn.
There was always an assortment of cookies. Sugar cookies were made as a family. Shaped by cookie cutters, but also limited only by a knife and our imaginations. The assortment always included soft molasses cookies, peasant cookies, and ginger snaps. We were never short of sweets.
Christmas morning was always early.
The gifts were often unwrapped by the time the sun came up. There was never anything truly extravagant under the tree. Santa provided sleds, toboggans, a tricycle and plenty of joy. We were always satisfied.
Mom normally cooked a turkey for Christmas dinner, so there would be plenty of leftovers and after dinner she could relax, or at least her version of relaxing.
As a retiree…
With no family local, and a COVID pandemic, I still will set up a tree. My tree is artificial. But the lights and decorations are plentiful. I still look forward to Christmas each year.
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