In my childhood home, Christmas was a special time. My Dad concentrated on the needs of the community and was always spearheading projects for the poor. While my Dad is now in Heaven, my Mom will join us this year for Christmas. It is with the utmost gratitude that I come to you today with my story of inspiration.
Christmas with my Dad
My Dad was the chairman of deacons at his church, where he would plan Christmas parties for all the church staff. He included me and, as a child, I was always by his side. Together, we would take gifts and toys to families, and I would get to see the joy of children who may not have had Christmas without my Dad and his church family. This instilled in me a heart of giving. Through these experiences, I felt so much joy.
My Dad would also take me to Atlanta to ride the “pink pig” and see Santa Claus. We would have breakfast together and after seeing Santa, we would shop for my Mom. He always included me in his tasks. I remember sitting for hours as he searched for just the right mink coat for my Mom. He had planned for years to buy her a mink coat, and what a thrill it was for me to experience that purchase with my Dad. Seeing him love my Mom was a gift and a treasure. I share this with you because it is so important that husbands love their wives, as this will teach their daughters what a loving marriage looks like.
Christmas with my Mom
My Mom and I would work on the cookies, cakes and on wrapping presents. Together, we baked fruit cookies and wrapped presents while listening to Christmas carols. Oftentimes, we watched Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on our Sears Colored TV. My Mom worked and she made certain her weekends were reserved for time with me. We would go to lunch at the local diner on Saturdays and shop for Christmas presents at Belk. The Friday after Thanksgiving, we would go to Rich’s Department Store with my Aunt Sue.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
On Christmas Eve, my Dad would clean the yard and visit all the neighbors with oranges and apples. We would play Christmas music and go to church.
On Christmas morning, my Dad would come to my room and wake me by saying, “Lisa, I think Santa came.” I was not allowed into the living room until “O Holy Night” started playing and my Mom had the video camera rolling. My Dad would read Luke Chapter 2 from the Bible and have a prayer before we opened presents.
The moment was special. My stocking was filled and I would receive a box with chestnuts and walnuts mixed with my favorite fruits (like tangerines and apples). The living room was filled with toys that my Mom had arranged like a store. There was always a doll. We would open presents together next. My Dad would have a present for my Mom and I and my Mom would have a present for my Dad and I. After the presents, we would all look at the manger and talk about Mary and Joseph and what that night was like for them as they had baby Jesus.
After that, we would head to Kingston, Georgia where Mary Lee and Vinson Harper would be waiting for us excitedly. Gravy, hot biscuits, country ham, eggs and bacon would be prepared, and you could smell the coffee from the cool crisp yard. We would sit down and have breakfast with my grandparents and then we would open presents. My grandparents lived in a small white house that was decorated like a doll house. Lights, candles and the smell of Christmas made me feel like I was in Buckingham Palace.
After presents, we would head to Rome, Georgia where we would have Christmas with my Aunt Sue and Uncle Cliff. We enjoyed fellowship together. My Aunt Sue always had a special toy waiting for me under her tree. She and my Uncle Cliff would have a ham in the oven, drenched in Coca-Cola. They had two large Irish Setters that would greet us. I adored those dogs!
Next, we visited my Great-Grandmother Suzie. Grandma Suzie prepared a feast with three different meats, dressing, gravy and deviled eggs. She and my Aunt Lois lived together. Aunt Lois would always have many presents for me. She did not have children and loved for me to visit. My cousins Rosell, Cathy and Lawson would arrive and the dinner would begin. Oh, what fun it was to fellowship with all. We would spend the afternoon opening presents, telling stories and fellowshipping with one another.
What sweet memories I have of my childhood Christmases. This year, my Mom will join my husband and I for Christmas Eve and we will celebrate with his family. On Christmas morning, we will travel to Houston to be with my children and grandchildren. It is my prayer that I will and can instill lasting memories and joy for the real meaning of Christmas.
Thank you, Lamar and Pat Burton, for leaving me with such sweet memories that I am passing down to my grandchildren.
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