Yesterday there was a brisk north wind, making the fallen leaves dance across the lawn, building up on the south fence line. Today there's a strong south wind, and the leaves are racing back to the north.
It reminded me of Christmas past and future - the north wind blowing in the memories of those long ago Christmases, and the south wind bringing in a promise of future Christmases, just as in the spring the south winds bring warmer temperatures and a promise of new growth.
As I pause to reflect on my childhood, there were four of us children then, me being the youngest and my oldest brother was 6 years older, with a sister and brother in between. My siblings tell me that as the youngest child I got away with things but I thought I was just being good since I seldom got scolded by our mom & dad.
We all got presents at Christmas time, celebrated on Christmas eve all those years. Nothing extravagant, but it seemed to always be just what we'd wanted, and we were happy with what we got, no matter how big or small.
One year stands out among the others - a Christmas that proved there was, after all, really a Santa Claus. The adults (mom, dad, and an aunt & uncle) were in the kitchen, playing cards at the table. We kids were in another room playing, sneaking peeks in the living room where the tree was, to see if our presents were there yet. We also kept a close watch on the adults, to be sure none of them left the room. We wanted to know whether or not Santa was real.
We'd seen none of the adults leave the room, and yet when we looked again into the living room - lo and behold, Santa had come, our presents were there! And so there really was a Santa Claus! Later my older brother told me he saw Dad leave the table, but he was really sneaky about it, wasn't he.
Mom always made pies and cakes. I especially remember her mincemeat pie and coconut cake as those were my favorites. I can't remember what we had for the rest of the meal. We always had a vegetable garden and Mom canned so we had our servings of veggies. The boys helped Dad kill a hog in the early winters and they would cure it. Ham was more than likely on the Christmas menu too.
We had a milk cow and churned our own butter. Whatever else we lacked by gardening, hunting, etc. was bought at the store, but people were pretty self-sufficient in those days.
I believe Christmas is always more fun when we are little, or when we have little ones so we can watch their happy smiles on Christmas morn.
The memories are special, of days gone by, and we continue building those memories - for our children and grandchildren. I pray for a bright and glorious New Year, for peace on earth, and for all those that cannot be with their loved ones this Christmas - God Bless You.