Cherishing the Memory of Christmas

I wrote this on Christmas Morning 2019 and posted it on my Facebook page. Many of the responses indicated that it sparked memories of their own childhood. I post it here to spark a pleasant memory or two, to encourage those who are new to Christmas and other occasions without your special loved one, to know that in time, it will be easier and it is the memories that will sustain you. For those fortunate to still have your loved one, keep making memories on Christmas and always because it IS the memories, not the gifts, that WILL sustain you too! Take plenty of pictures, audio and video record the moments, be sure to say thank you and I love you, enjoy the meal, the love and the laughter! Just be happy folks and Enjoy the Holiday Season! Thanks for reading and sharing my blog!

Wow! And just like that it's Christmas morning! That magical morning that seemed to take forever to arrive when we were kids. I can remember waking up several times and being told to go back to bed. Sleeping one hour probably felt like all night so this happened several times until FINALLY it was time!

We were so easily satisfied then. My Mom was a single Mother of five. I am sure our gifts were not as plentiful or as expensive as perhaps some other folks' but what I don't remember is ever being dissatisfied. Always there was that special gift just for you! Thank you lay away. LOL! She ALWAYS made it happen!

Always there was a huge breakfast. I remember hoe cake (who knows what that is? Who still makes it? Send the invite!) and Alaga syrup (yuck!)! LOL! There was always lots of laughter, lots of gifts, guests dropping by and the day ended with a huge dinner. I was and still am a HORRIBLE eater. How many good meals did I not eat? LOL!

I remember that the ENTIRE house would be decorated including THE bathroom (we only had one and we managed! LOL! Imagine that!) and at least a light and a small ornamental tree of some kind in each bedroom. The house was always beautiful, filled with joy and lots of noise.

On my first Christmas without her, I tried to replicate her Christmas. I decorated the house and even tried to cook a few of my favorite things while I could still remember the taste of her cooking. That lasted one Christmas. LOL!!! I do mildly decorate. No tree, just a wreath, a poinsettia and lots of Black Santas and other ornaments. As for cooking, that was a fleeting notion. I don't even own pots and pans now. LOL!!! My stove is often a desktop or a mail depository. I know. I know. It's pathetic! I have that discussion with Mommy everyday. We laugh together; at least in my mind we do! 

I remember that as I got older, I began to travel for Christmas. Always before I would go my Mom had Christmas for me. She was special like that! I miss her so... 

Before she passed away, it was important for me to give back to her the joy she gave to me all of my life, Christmas or otherwise. I lived to thank and make her feel like the Queen she was. Every holiday from her birthday, to Mother's and Father's Day and certainly Christmas presented an opportunity to shower her with a special gift. It became a tradition. The plan was for the gifts to get bigger as time went on. Sadly, time did not go on... Her friends would ask, what did Helen give you? I so loved giving her bragging rights. Lord knows she had given them to me for all of my life! She built each of her kids up to be proud and confident! We never knew we were poor and don't even think about telling us we were not gorgeous and smart! How many Black kids can sing that song? Thank You God for Black Mothers!!!

Anyway, it's Christmas morning and I slept just fine last night, the whole night through. Only bathroom breaks interrupt my sleep these days. LOL! I am not traveling today. I am chillin' in a new apartment for the new year. Boxes still everywhere. Final exams to grade. Toni just called to come have breakfast for Paul's birthday, Happy Birthday Paul! Sorry you are not here to celebrate your birthday with us Celestine. We miss you but love Dubai!!! I'm Jealous!!! I will eat dinner at Doreen's house and just enjoy a local day with local friends. No airplanes or highways involved!

I will visit my Mom's grave and do a drive by our old house. I have no idea who lives there now. Reverend Harvey, our old neighbor, has passed away. I miss not being able to drop in on him and Mrs. Harvey, Mr. Charlie and Ms. Pat, Les Wise and so many more from my childhood village. Still however, it will be a special Christmas filled with special memories.

Merry Christmas & Happy Kwanzaa to ALL!!!