As an adult, I've always heard how much kids love to stay at home for the holidays. Judging from my own children and the children of my friends, I'd say this is generally true. However, it was not true for me. I absolutely LOVED going to my grandparents' homes for the holidays. I loved seeing aunts, uncles, great aunts, and cousins. My parents grew up within 9 miles of one another, so we had the routine down pretty well, spending Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my dad's folks and then Christmas mid-day meal and late afternoon with my mom's folks. After my dad would get off work on Christmas Eve, we'd get in the car and make the 2 1/2 hour or so drive to my dad's parent's house. We'd usually arrive in time for a short visit before supper and then more visiting and maybe the news before little kids like me were shuttled off to bed.
When I was about 5 or 6 and starting to "wonder" about certain jolly fellas in red suits being real or not, we were watching the weather portion of the local news. The newscasters broke in to say that Santa had been sighted and was due to arrive in the area around midnight. They even had the radar blip showing him and his sleigh (and don't forget his 8 tiny reindeer). Being a child who wanted SO BADLY to believe, I was SO relieved. I mean, they wouldn't say it on the news if it weren't true, right? Sort of like Virginia and her letter to the editor of the newspaper, I suppose. Ah, childhood innocence...it wasn't more than another year or so that I pretty much had the truth figured out, but on THAT Christmas Eve, one little girl in Texas went to bed very happy and satisfied that the Santa Claus was real and all was right with the world. That feeling sticks with me every year when I put up my Santa collection and trim the tree. Whenever I think back to my childhood and my family at Christmas, that is one of those cherished memories that gives me the "warm, fuzzy" feeling. Nowadays, it isn't always easy, but I choose to believe in the magic of every day, especially at Christmas. Won't you join me? You'll be glad you did.
Until next time,
You must be around the same age as my oldest melon head. The "sighting" of Santa and the blip on the radar was their signal that it was time to go to bed and let the sugarplums start dancing in their heads! Do they do that anymore? It was always such a treat...even for me.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful memories you have to dance around in your head just before you fall asleep.
Debbie
I was just thinking Debbie's final thot ...Your story warmed my heart ... coming from a big tribe and all!! My Dad is one of nine and my Mom is one of 7 ...hundreds of cousins and aunts and uncles ...love love love it
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, What a wonderful Christmas story...Do hope you have time to stop over at my place for a visit...
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas
xoxo
Julie
On this first Saturday of December ♥Jappy Pink Saturday♥. I was away for a while and sure missed running around the blogs arnd seeing all of the goodies everyone was sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the memory...
It was a blessing for you to make my morning so much fun. Hoping that you and those you care about spend a wonderful weekend making memories that will last a lifetime☺
Judy, what a beautiful memory! That is how mine went too, Holidays were always about family...I loved it...everyone does their own thing now...I think our kids are missing out on some amazing memories but I try to make them special when it is just a couple of us...I too believed the news..that and we would go to the moves and see Disney movies and we would come home and Santa had come to visit..I mean how could he be my papa if he was with us :) To this day...I am ever so thankful for neighbors that we love like family :) Besos, Rose
ReplyDeleteYour story is so sweet and thanks for sharing it with us. I was a child who believed in Santa so much and I still do to this day.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and I'm going to stay awhile.
I'm signing up to follow you too. I hope you will come over and see me, I'd love to get to know you.
Oh, what a sweet story! I totally understand the need to believe and the relief that Santa was sighted and reported about on the news! Happy Pink Saturday!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. Such a sweet memory and final thought. Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteHi Judy,
ReplyDeleteI loved hearing your early Christmas memories.
I think that we wanted to believe, but so often we heard from someone older that would ruin the fun, for us.
I hope that you are having a lovely weekend
Hugs
Carolyn
What sweet memories of your childhood. Yes, they still do that with the radar where Santa is I believe. I love that movie too!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
That was wonderful! Here too the weather man always reports on the Sightings Christmas Eve. How it must thrill youngins of today too. Peace, Mollye
ReplyDeleteHappy Pink Saturday, Judy.
ReplyDeleteWhy, of course Santa is real. He comes every year, doesn't he? I'm so glad you saw him on the radar on the news. This is such a wonderful memory.
Loved your story...I believe too!
ReplyDeleteHi Judy, believing gives us all hope in a brighter tomorrow. I see nothing wrong in that at all. I still like to think there is a little magic out there, Happy Pink Saturday, Char
ReplyDeleteGreat memories. I remember going to my grandparents too. We didn't live close, but did get there to see my grandparents. Your story is just lovely, thx for sharing...
ReplyDeleteKitty
I believe!!!! Happy Pink Thursday ;>)!!
ReplyDeleteDarling story ... my kid-lings love that blip on the radar ... so enjoyed browsing your blog.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, TTFN ~Marydon
what a beautiful childhood story!! Now they have this thing on the computer that shows just where santa is and how many hours until he arrives at our house... hehe. We have come a long way! lol
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday!
Hi Judy, I would like to wish you and your family a very happy christmas in peace and harmony, and may next year brings much blessings to you all.
ReplyDeleteMuchos cariños
Maria Cecilia