Christmas Memories

Last night I was watching a Christmas movie and a big part of the movie involved discovering information about her grandmother’s relationship before getting married. So, parts of the movie were flashbacks that began just before Christmas in 1941. This is not a movie review; except I will say I enjoyed the movie. As I watched the movie, memories of past Christmases came to mind. At this point in my life, I spend most of my time alone just doing things to stay busy and not thinking about how much my life has changed.

The first Christmas memory that popped up was in 1963 and the company Christmas party that Eva asked me to take her to. I have written about that event, “Could I Have This Dance.” I remember how that night changed everything, and how I did not realize then where it would take us. The next memory was Christmas 1964, it was our first Christmas as a married couple in that one-bedroom apartment with the tree and decorations that we picked out together. How we did the shopping together for our nieces and nephews, then sat on the floor wrapping presents. The Christmas meals we share with each of our families for the first time.

In 1965, we moved into our first home on Christmas Eve, so we did not buy a tree or put up any decorations that year. We were up late that night locating and separating the presents we had bought for family members. Most of Christmas Day was spent with our families. Our new home was our gift to each other, and we were so happy. For Christmas in 1966, we went to several Christmas tree lots to find the perfect tree and bought many more decorations. We also blew our budget on presents for family members. We were expecting our first child in April, so Eva’s last day working would be in January. Most companies did not allow a woman to work beyond six months, so they had to quit their job at that point. The money we would have spent on each other we used to buy items we would need for our baby’s room.

Christmas in 1967 was Tammy’s first Christmas and it was special in many ways. We had learned so much about parenting and about new priorities that we just felt so blessed. I changed jobs in 1968 to take a programming job to get away from working rotating shifts in computer operations and that involved a reduction in income. Eva had gone back to work to help with paying our expenses, so she had less time available for Christmas shopping and decorating. Tammy was a year older and more excited about Christmas. By Christmas in 1969, I had taken another job that was a promotion and more income. We were expecting our second child again in April, so Eva would again be required to quit her job in January. Her boss asked her if she wanted to make her last day before Christmas and she agreed. That Christmas we began transitioning Tammy’s room to a little girl’s room and setting up another baby’s room.

Christmas of 1970 was Jennifer’s first Christmas and Tammy‘s fourth, so it was interesting watching Tammy trying to help her little sister with her presents. By this time, Christmas at our parents’ houses was truly fun with so many children and the eating where you could find a seat. This was the year I started having a Christmas party for my staff at our home. With the company Christmas party also, it was a busy time of the year. By 1971, we knew the Christmas season drill and how hectic it had become, but we focused on keeping our children and extended family the priority.

While some of my Christmas memories include periods when we were dealing with health issues or other concerns, they all are special in their own way. Many include years when Eva was part of the Christmas special music programs and the year that Tammy and Jennifer joined her with some Christmas songs. This year is my third Christmas without Eva. I have adjusted to that; however, I still miss her, especially at Christmas. It was Christmas in 1963 when I began understanding how much I cared for her. It took until Valentine’s for me to tell her what I was feeling.

These are feelings about family and Christmas, but the most important thing about Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ and His gift of Salvation through the shedding of His blood for our sins. Hallelujah