Memories of Christmas Moms and Christmases Past

[Cudedog]

The Reason for the Season is why we were able to create so many memories that might not have been otherwise. I know we get caught up in the preparations, but what joy we have in giving and making special times for family! Amidst all the décor I’m sure many of us have a crèche and a star or angel on the tree, and Christmas Carols playing. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas no matter your circumstances!

We always had a star on our tree growing up (with Christmas music playing!), and when, as an adult, I began to create my own Christmas, I always had an angel. We didn't have a creche when I was a child - but as an adult I added one under my tree.

One of the great joys of my life was creating Christmas memories for my children, when they were small.

So many wonderful posts! I would like to express my sincere thanks to each and every one of you who have joined in on this thread. It makes me feel as though I have my friends gathered around me, close beside me, as we talk and laugh and reminisce.

It makes me feel warm, and comforted, when otherwise, just now, I might be feeling lonely.

Interesting how each of us grew up celebrating Christmas differently - but the same basic traditions are there.

Please, all, continue to join in, share a new memory or two, for the first time, or as a new memory comes to mind.

Sue, I especially enjoyed your long post. Brought a tear to my eye, as well!!

. . . When we go, those Christmases past that we had will go with us and not return in this fast paced world.

So cherish you memories, shed a tear once in awhile and remember.

Extremely well said! Thank you.

As a very young child, I can remember winter snow where I was born, in the midwest. But jobs were scarce in Kansas City - my Dad worked at the local radio station there, and when television came along, he wanted to transfer into television. His boss told him that if that happened, that my Dad would need to be trained to work in television - and he would also need to train some new person to do my Dad's radio job.

So the answer was "No". My Mom and Dad had deep roots in the Kansas City area. Her parents (my grandparents) were there, and they had just almost completed building a house with their own hands. But a friend of my Dad's had gone to Hollywood, and wrote to my Dad to tell him that television jobs were going begging, and that he (my Dad) should come to Hollywood.

A short time later, my Dad took the train out west (Way too far to drive in those days, no interstate's like there are today! This would have been about 1951) to see what was what. I remember waiting for him to come home, looking out our big picture window, as snow drifted down.

During his short visit out west he scored a job, came home, packed up (I was the only child at that time, then three years old. More children came later!) and off we went.

He must have been in his mid-30's then, and he worked in television the rest of his working life (he was a technician, not a performer).

That was the end of living in snow country for me. I have longed for a snowy Christmas ever since. Even hearing a bad version of "White Christmas" blaring over the speakers at the mall will bring a misting to my eyes.

Living in the Sierra foothills for nearly thirty years, I always hoped for snow. It does snow there, once in a while, but it never did at Christmas - except once.

After so many years of waiting for Christmas snow, I began to feel, somehow, that if snow ever did come at Christmas, that might be the last Christmas that I would live there.

Wouldn't you know, one Christmas, when my children (now adults), were visiting for Christmas I was up just before dawn, looked out the window, and was amazed to see large white snowflakes gently wafting down. I think I wept to finally see the snow, that I had hoped for and waited for for so very many years.

By the time my kids got up, the clouds were gone, and the sun was shining. Even the slight dusting of snow that had patterned the ground with white had already melted. I excitedly told them about the morning snow, but they looked out the window at a bright sun-shiny day, and just rolled their eyes.

And, wouldn't you know, late the following year I moved from the foothills to the valley, and sold my foothills home. My premonition had been a true one.

I have never had snow at Christmas since that one special time. Maybe again. . . someday.

I still dream.

Anne

[BarbaraRose]

Growing up in Minnesota, we had a ton of snow by Christmas back then. Our neighbors had a big hill going down to the lake so we would go sledding on that and at the bottom would continue across the ice! Another neighbor shoveled a huge skating rink out in front of our dock too. Funny, how I hate the winters now and for that reason, am living in California. I think it is more the bitter cold than the snow that I dislike so much, and the fact that those winters last so darn long! Minnesota doesn't get nearly as much snow anymore like when I was a kid. Many more brown Christmas's now.

[Cudedog]

Merry Christmas, everyone.

I send my Christmas wishes to each and every one of my Forum sisters. Having found this group has been a true blessing. Don't know what I would do without all of your generous sharing, from RV topics to just about everything beyond.

My children will be here later this afternoon, we will have our "family christmas" when they, and their spouses/others arrive. I only see my children three or four times per year, so I am really looking forward to our visit.

A final memory of a "Christmases Past" as this thread comes to a close.

When I was a young woman I had a wonderful horse. I had wanted a horse since I was a small child, when I asked when I could have a horse, my Mom would just say "when your Dad makes his first million". Well, that seemed reasonable to me so I patiently waited. It wasn't until I was eight or nine that I began to realize that my Dad probably wasn't ever going to make that million, so I was probably never going to get my horse.

When I was in my late teens, on my first-ever job for only two weeks (I was an usher in a theatre - remember when they had those?) I saw an ad in the paper for a half-arab colt of six months old. "Only" $150.00. Which, of course, was a fortune in those days - and an exorbitant price for a young horse, a horse way too young to be ridden.

So, of course, I went to see this colt. He was very small, very thin, and had green snot coming out his nose (a VERY bad sign for a young horse, had I but known it!). So, also of course, I convinced the seller (obviously, had I known it at the time, some kind of dealer, as she had a lot of horses for sale at her place) to sell me the colt for $15.00 down, and $15.00 per week.

I was ecstatic! I rushed home to tell my Mom, who just about had a heart attack at the news. Luckily for me, my aunt was there visiting at the time, and she said "Well, at least it isn't a motorcycle" (her son, much in the same manner as me with my horse, had just purchased a motorcycle). There was some muttering about voiding the sale for legal reasons (me being underage) but the decision was made to "let me learn my lesson".

And what a lesson it was! I raised the colt for two years, broke him to ride all by myself, and have fond memories of my very first horse to this day. I will never forget him.

Anyway, one year on Christmas Eve (this was Southern California), it was almost dark but there were still several of us hanging out at the boarding stable, (my colt about four years old now, and semi-well trained ) trying not to go home just yet.

Someone (. . . can't remember if it was me. . . ) had the bright idea going Christmas Caroling on horseback. Subdivisions had been built fairly near to the stables (more were planned - none of us realized at the time that this would eventually prove the end of boarding stables in the area) so it was maybe only 1/2 mile or a mile to the nearest group of new houses.

So about five or ten of us jumped on our horses (I won't say we "saddled up", because most of there kept our horses on the "poverty plan" and could not afford to buy saddles).

Then, bareback, off we went. We rode down the streets of the nearest subdivision, singing carols just as loud as we could, but no one seemed to notice. Finally we turned into a cul-de-sac, kind of spread out a bit, and continued singing traditional carols at the top of our lungs.

Nothing.

Then, suddenly, one of the horses let out a really loud whinny (LOL - much louder than we could possibly sing) and, of course, the other horses joined in, as horses are likely to do.

Doors opened, people came out into their front yards, looks of astonishment on their faces. Since it was almost dark about this time, probably just the outlines of the horses prancing around could barely be seen.

When we started in with "Silent Night", people started to clap their hands. I saw a few had begun to weep. Before the last verse was over, we turned our horses to go. We were met with applause and compliments all the way home.

It was truly magical.

We never did it again. This happened more than fifty years ago, and I will never forget it.

Enjoy the wonders of the day, and the wonders of the coming year, wherever your travels, both near and far, might take you.

My love to you all.

Merry Christmas

Anne

[Irmi]

Anne, I love the story about your pony and friends Christmas caroling! Merry Christmas! Enjoy the rest of the day with your family!

[Acadianmom]

Anne, growing up I can't remember ever not wanting a horse. My dad was in the Air Force so we moved every few years. The only times I would get to ride was when we would visit 2 of my uncles that had ranches. I would start in bugging someone to saddle me a horse the minute I arrived. I'm sure they loved my visits. When I was in the 9th grade we moved to Shreveport and my dad rented a house with 2 acres. It was just out of the city limits and everyone had horses. There was even an arena down by the river. One of our neighbors had 4 white horses and liked to ride in parades. I cleaned stalls and washed horses just so I could ride. The horse he would let me ride was barn sour and I couldn't get her away from the barn unless one of the other horses was along. The saddles were too heavy for me to pick up so I had to ride bareback unless someone was there to saddle her. You can't imagine the battles I had with this horse. We would get a block or two down the street and she would start spinning and throw me off. I finally got her to where I could ride her to the arena and ran barrels on her. I boarded a horse for a girl for $10 a month. I got to keep the money since I fed and took care of the horse. I found some one that would sell me a horse for the $10 a month. Copper was about a year old, half quarter horse and half Appaloosa but not spotted. I broke and trained him to run barrels and poles. I exercised 2 Appaloosa stallions and sometimes showed them for money to take care of my horse. I can tell you that I had no business ridding some of the horses that I did. My dad never paid any attention to anything we did and mother didn't know how dangerous it was. I wouldn't have let my kids do what I was doing. My first husband talked me into selling Copper, which I regret to this day. I should have kept the horse and got rid of the husband sooner.

Martha

[Bethers]

I never wanted a horse. But I love these horse stories.

[JudyJB]

I hope you got to keep your horse for many years, Anne.

My dad actually bought me a horse. He was making a lot of money in the booming construction industry after WWII, so when I was five (much too young) he went nuts and bought me a small white horse--not a pony, but a small horse. Also, a carriage came with the horse, and my dad had some property across the street from our house, so he built a small barn for the horse. (Later he moved them both to a farm he bought where my grandparents lived.)

Anyway, my grandfather worked as a supervisor in the Ford Foundry, except he never liked to drive a car and much preferred horses, except this was the Detroit suburbs and about 1948. He had a neighbor who worked in the foundry who drove him to and from work every day. Also, my grandfather was an alcoholic, but my grandmother would never let him drink in their house, which was less than a mile away. So one day when they came over to visit (my grandmother drove their car), my grandfather, who was about 70 then, took me across the street to visit the horse. We lived on a gravel road, and at the end of the road (maybe 4 blocks) was a bar where my uncle was the bartender. So, my grandfather hitched my horse up to the buggy and took me for a ride. To the bar, of course! He left me in the carriage with the horse tied to a tree behind the bar and went in for a beer!

I don't remember anyone being upset with his taking a small child on a visit to a bar, but it is one of the most vivid memories of my childhood. It was a neighborhood bar, anyways, and everyone knew everyone in those days. I just remember sitting out in the carriage waiting for my grandfather! I also remember that my youngest aunt bought an ex-police horse that she never could ride, but which my grandfather loved to ride. The horse danced and pranced and must have had some parade training, but my grandfather was a terrific horseman. My horse was old when she was purchased and lived only a few years afterwards, but I remember going to the farm and riding her. Don't ever remember another carriage ride, however.

[monik7]

All this talk about horses reminds me of my life with my horse Reno. When I was nine we moved into our house on the hill at about 1,000’ elevation above what is now Silicon Valley. With acreage allowing my brother and me to have horses, I learned to ride at a local horse ranch down in the valley run by Natlee Kenoyer (nickname “Peep”, a shortened form of her maiden name). She eventually became a very prominent horsewoman writing quite a number of books about horses. She put me in touch with a local boy interested in selling his 3-year-old horse. I talked him into selling her to me for $80 and named her Reno.

Reno in the corral

Reno and my dog Buster, Santa Clara Valley (“Silicon Valley” now) in the background


I continued to spend every day from sun up to sundown during the summers at the Kenoyer Ranch with a bunch of friends. And I remember getting together in Peep’s square dancing hall for several Christmas parties she held. We had so much fun square dancing and singing carols. Peep trained me to ride every horse she had up to including her most-valuable and spirited one. She even “hired” me to train some of the foals she raised once they were old enough.

Reno and me at the Kenoyer Ranch


Peep apparently took notice of the varied antics I exhibited while at her ranch. I was known to have someone ride Reno for me while I held onto her tail and “dirt skied” behind, and for borrowing a second horse so I could “Roman ride” around the track standing with one foot on the back of each horse while they ran. Good times! Reno was the best horse allowing me to do anything crazy including riding backwards while she ran. Reno and I also competed in many shows in poles, barrel racing and trail ride. Natlee Kenoyer authored two children’s books both of which I am honored to have been the inspiration for the main character. The first was “A Horse for Claudia and Dennis.” My mother asked Peep to autograph a copy for me. The second was “Claudia’s five-dollar horse” whIch she also autographed. I was able to find library copies online to give to my grandchildren. Didn’t want to worry about giving them the autographed ones.






In August 2011, I found out Peep was living in a nursing home in Santa Rosa, CA. I arranged to visit her the next day. She was 104 years old. Sadly her mind had faded and she didn’t remember me or Reno or that she had even written so many books. She lived a little over two additional years.

Natlee Kenoyer, 1958

Natlee Kenoyer, August 17, 2011

Those early years of my youth were the absolute best of my life, and I often wish I could go back. I had Reno for 25 years until she died in 1980 at the age of 28.
Sandi

[JudyJB]

Very pretty horse and amazing view of the valley!

[monik7]

I hope especially the ladies on this forum who are nurses will see this. I just remembered something I forgot to note in my post about my horse and friendship with Natlee Kenoyer (“Peep”). In addition to managing the Kenoyer Ranch, raising three sons, teaching horseback riding, breeding and raising horses, teaching square dancing, writing children’s books and numerous other books about horses, Peep was a nurse for 50 years. When I saw her in the nursing home in 2011, she didn’t remember a lot of things from her long life, but she still had memories of her valuable work as a nurse and of the work that all nurses provide on a daily basis. I could tell she was very proud of her many years as a nurse. What a wonderful life she had, and I’m so thankful for having the opportunity to know her.
Sandi

[SoCalGalcas]

All these horse stories are wonderful !...I too, never wanted a horse, maybe because I was raised at the beach. I was a good swimmer and body surfer!!!

I've been reading Catherine Ryan Hyde...she has horses in many of her books.

Lyn

[Cudedog]

Sandi, I really enjoyed reading your story of your horse, Reno.

You were lucky to have had her so long. And she was extremely fortunate, and lucky, to have had you.

Anne

[BarbaraRose]

Love the horsie stories! I have some of my own...

I always loved horses and when I was about 8 years old, my dad started me with English riding lessons at a local horse farm. At a time in my life that was so unstable (no pun intended) at home with my parents divorcing and both active alcoholics, this was a god-send for me and my self-confidence. I learned dressage and show jumping and competed in many shows there for a couple of years. Then my dad had me move to another farm for lessons which was actually a fancy country club. I think he just liked to brad to his friends about me riding there for prestige. I continued lessons there and competing in shows and had an excellent instructor who had me riding difficult horses because he knew I could handle them (I didn't think so tho!). I rode with a lot of very experienced and wealthy people there. I never got a blue ribbon but almost always came in second or third competing against people with their own horses (I just used the school horses). My dad promised to buy me a horse if I got a blue ribbon. I always figured he must have paid off the judges to not give me first place so he wouldn't have to buy me a horse! We came close to buying one once but like everything else he promised me, he backed out at the last minute with some excuse. He never came to any of my shows to watch me. He dropped me off and went to the bar, saying he was afraid to watch in case I fell off. So I was usually there by myself for most of the shows which made me feel sad.
When I turned 17, my dad and I got into a huge fight, I moved in with my mom and he stopped paying for the lessons so I never rode again.

Another story...When I was about 13, a neighbor lady bought a little black pony named Blackie for her 2 year old daughter's birthday. Obviously the little girl couldn't ride it, so the lady asked me if I would ride the pony to exercise it for her. She kept Blackie in her garage. I loved riding Blackie and rode him almost every day for a year. We had a great bond and we would practice for my horse shows at the outdoor ice arena at the park down the street (in the summertime). The following year, she told me she bought a bigger pony for her daughter's 3rd birthday and sent Blackie to a relatives farm in Wisconsin. The last day I saw him I went into the garage to say good-bye to him. He seemed to know something was up and when I went to leave, he gently grabbed the sleeve of my coat and pulled me back into the garage. Every time I tried to leave, he did the same thing. It was so sweet but heartbreaking. I will never forget that horse! The new horse was awful and I was afraid of her. She was undisciplined and tried to hurt me several times by rearing up and throwing me off. I rode bareback and one time she reared so high that she fell over and almost landed on me. I refused to ever ride her again.

I would still love to have a horse but just for trail riding. Just don't have the money for it. I may look into leasing someday tho.

[Cudedog]

This Christmas I received the wonderful and unexpected gift of realizing that my sweet son, now at age 30 (I can barely believe it!) has suddenly (and delightfully!) matured into a very thoughtful and introspective young man (after many years of mutual head-butting). We had a few (too brief!) snippets of conversation when everyone was here at my house for Christmas that made me laugh.

Even when my kids were small (aside from the usual toys and gadgets that young children desperately want - and will play with - for maybe a moment or two) my gift-giving has always been focused on gifts that were useful, and would be utilized. Also gifts that would be have some "surprise" factor.

This year, having heard much positive reviews of the electric pressure cooker "Instant Pot" (THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of you ladies on here who have posted about the wonderfulness of your Instant Pots, and also posted such wonderful thoughts and reviews on the "Instant Pot" thread. Would not have happened without you!!):

https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-Programmable-Pressure-Steamer/dp/B071FGTXDW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1546272343&sr=8-4&keywords=instant+pot+3+quart

I ordered one each for both my son and my daughter's households from Amazon. After they got here I began to have second thoughts, so (losing the surprise factor!) I decided to email both of them, told them what I had ordered for them, and that the items had been delivered, but asked them if this was something they thought they might want or use (all have such busy lives, and both my son and son-in-law love to cook. LOL - my daughter, not so much!).

I asked them to be honest in their evaluation, told them they would not hurt my feelings in any way if this was something they didn't want, and that I could easily return them. Both emailed me back saying they both thought this a very nice gift, and would love to try it out.

I then pressed a bit to see if there might be something else that they might want or need, my daughter couldn't think of anything, my son hemmed and hawed a bit, then said that they could really use some new bathroom towels.

I ask you, what could be easier or more useful than new towels? And I would not (could not) have known about this gift wish had he not told me. Went to Walmart and scored a set of relatively inexpensive (but still rather nice) new towels. 4 bath towels, 4 hand towels, 4 wash cloths (Wow! Definitely not complaining, but towels are expensive!! No wonder that they needed them. This modest off-the-shelf set cost almost $50.00!!).

After the gift opening was all done, I sincerely thanked my son for letting me know about the towels, because I really was very glad to get them for him, and since I don't get to see him too often, how, otherwise, would I know that he wanted or needed them?

His reply? (Made me smile!!) "You know, Mom, it's kinda funny, if you think about it. As kids, all we wanted were toys. As adults, all we really want are housewares."

LOL!! Too true!!

All in all, a very fun Christmas.

Anne

[BarbaraRose]

We definitely get more practical in our gift needs when we grow up! I have asked for a car battery and tools for Christmas and was thrilled to get them!