Truthful Tidbits - Bits and Pieces of My Life: sweet Christmas memories

I wrote this blog post the other day...but thought I would link it up to Six Word Saturday today on 12-22-12

My six words are: Merry Christmas Six Word Saturday Friends!

I am linking up with "Home for the Holy Days" blog party today!

http://www.impartinggrace.com/2012/12/home-for-holy-days-2012.html

This is our 2012 Christmas Card with our 11 Grandkids...ages 5-22

Christmas Cards

When I was a little girl, my momma, Margie, and I would send out Christmas Cards to our friends and family. Momma had only one arm, (after an auto accident before 3 of her four children were born), and so she often needed help from me or my siblings with certain tasks.

With one hand she would type out a short Christmas letter on her old typewriter, and then she would sign the cards and I would fold the letters and insert them inside the cards, and stuff them in the envelopes and put the stamps on. Momma had been right handed before she lost her right arm, so she had to learn to do everything with her left hand….including handwriting. In my mind’s eye, I can see her back-slanted cursive writing and her signature, as I am remembering this special time together. She wrote very clearly, but she enjoyed pecking away on that old typewriter, and I enjoyed the clicking of the keys and the bell that rang each time she would return the carriage and begin a new line of the letter. I have an old typewriter like that in our guest room, just to bring me smiles!

When we were all done with the cards we would put them in stacks and put rubber bands around each stack to keep them together, and then we’d head off to the post office and wait in line to mail our bundles of cards. I found the hustle and bustle of Christmas crowds quite exciting. (Salvation Army bell ringers take me back to my childhood too.)

Another benefit of sending cards, was receiving cards in return! Each day we would get cards in the mail, and I couldn’t wait to open them. Each one had a cheery picture on the front, and a special message inside. I loved the ones that had the baby Jesus in the manager, with Mary and Joseph, and the Christmas star over-head. But there was always such a huge variety of Christmas scenes, and yes, many included Santa Claus, Snowmen, or brightly colored gifts and trees. I would string them up across the living room window, and around the doors of our living room, and they made it look so festive!

Happy memories of my momma always flood over me when I do my Christmas cards. My momma has been in heaven now for well over 20 years…but I still feel her presence, in my heart and mind, each Christmas as I send and receive cards.

I also have fond memories from Christmases as an adult, when we would go to John’s mom and dad’s house in Nebraska. Among English momma, Edith’s traditions… of English poppers/crackers with paper crowns and little toys inside, we would also have English trifle, mini-mince meat pies, and other delicious foods, and fun with the huge family. Momma Edith loved Christmas cards too. She had a green ceramic holder shaped like a Christmas tree where she would place all of her cards, and then we could all browse through the cards and read the letters and see the pictures from friends and family who lived far away. She especially loved hearing from those she loved in England.

I know that some people don’t send cards anymore, because of the time, and the expense…but to me it has always been a very special part of Christmas. Another tradition I enjoy is the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service that we attend each year. Christmas is all about the birth of our King...Jesus! We need to take the time to honor Him! I pray that God will bless each and every one of you this Christmas, and in the New Year!

Love, Linda

Sweet Momma-in-law Edith, on her 85th birthday, before she went to heaven.