Sharing Memories of Christmases Past — Gonna Take a Sentimental Journey (Part 3 of 3)

Memories of Christmases Past

A few days ago, I posted memories of Christmases past spent with my maternal grandmother: Ella Mae Weaver McCloud.  After her death in 1996, we began a new tradition in our family of celebrating Christmas Eve at our family home and farm in Halls Crossroads.  We would celebrate every Christmas Eve at our home until Daddy’s death in 2002. Mama then moved to a condo in 2005.

I remember the first Christmas Eve after Daddy died being one of the saddest.  His birthday was December 22, and the fact that it was so close to Christmas made it doubly hard.

There was not a lot of laughter or celebration that first year following his death.  I remember it almost felt “sacrilegious” in a way to even think about being “joyous.” Yet, we also knew as a family that for the living, life goes on.

I still miss my Dad terribly at this time of the year, but I have many good memories to cherish of a good father who encouraged me to pursue my dreams and dream big. He was a great encourager to me.

As a family, we found the strength to make new traditions, while also clinging to the ones that remind us of cherished moments with special people in our lives.

Christmas Traditions

One of our family traditions that has remained is Mama reading from the book of Luke in the Bible the account of our Lord’s birth. It is a time when we sit quietly (a rare feat in a family with six rambunctious, and now adult, children). I imagine we are not the only home where this is done as a matter of tradition and reverence for the true meaning of Christmas, but sometimes I wonder, in these difficult days, if families pause to remember what Christmas really is about.

As a family, we recognize how blessed we are. In a family with six children, all my siblings are still living. Although with time, we know that death will once again visit our home, our hope and consolation is that each one of us knows the saving Grace of Christ and accepts Him as their Savior and Lord.

Mama was diagnosed in April of 2013 with Stage IV colon cancer and underwent major colon surgery.  She has done amazingly well for an 84-year-old with bi-weekly chemotherapy.  She knows, by the grace of God, her life has been extended and we encourage her to live life to the fullest. She never lost her hair or has been physically sick from the treatments, except for when she is required to have iron infusions for a low iron count.

Another of our family traditions centers around food.  Typically, we have two entrees: chili and something else. This year, the “something else” is going to be home-made lasagna by Mama (my request).

Grace will be said, then each one of us will fill up our plates and sit down where we can find a seat…and then…the “jabbering” commences.  That’s southern slang for everybody talks at once and some louder than others.  Sometimes there are two or three conversations going. Only, when Mama gets irritated and wants to talk, do we all pique down to let her get a word in “edgewise.”

We’ve been known to sing and dance (my favorite). Year before last, I put “big band” music on, pushed the furniture back, and many of us danced till we were exhausted. It was so much fun!

Last year, we played games and puzzles for prizes and sang our favorite Christmas carols.

It’s hard for me to believe yet another year has past. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I’m looking forward to seeing my family.

I don’t know if it’s true for your family, but getting everyone together — even at Christmas — is becoming more difficult as time passes.  Understandably, some of the younger nieces and nephews grow up and have Christmases with their spouses and other loved ones.

But I know for Mama, it means a lot to have her children home.  She always enjoys having the noise, the laughter, and the music, at least for a little while.  Then, as we each say good-bye, she will often start talking about the New Year.

God is good.