During the Depression Christmas at home for most folks was not very lavish, but it was still family time. I remember gatherings with grandparents and other relatives where gifts were very simple and the food was plentiful. But Uncle Martin (from "dutch" Grand Rapids) at Aunt Hattie's always reminded me that he was fortunate as a child if he and his siblings only received a piece of fruit on the holiday. Best memories for me included the sights and smells of Grimes' Food Store at Christmas, when most all the wares were not pre-packaged and the fruit and imported trees were so fragrant, and riding in the old-fashioned sleigh that Dad had purchased from a neighbor (pulled by a borrowed horse)! At home we had a modestly-decorated green tree ... until the dry air caused the needles to fall off ... and just enjoyed Mom's food and being together. There were special programs on the radio to make a joyful atmosphere, but Christmas at home in 1941 was saddened by the news of Pearl Harbor and subsequent entry into World War II. Joining the Navy in early 1943 and after boot camp, radio school and convoy radio training, I spent that holidays in New Orleans. There was cold rain on Canal Street (appropriate name) that Christmas Eve, as I recall, but I found a little bit of home in the USO Club there. After a trip to the South Pacific war theater, and a 30-day leave with loved ones in Wallace, it was back to New Orleans and shipping out again ... with an unwanted 6-months shore job in the Panama Canal Zone and spending Christmas 1944 in that very tropical setting. Summer 1945 we celebrated the end of WWII near the Equator, then back to the USA to transfer to a Navy transport and wound up in drydock at Mare Island near San Francisco for Christmas. I called a Navy nurse who had been at Wallace H.S. with me, hoping for a sentimental reunion, but she was busy ... sorry! In all my sea-faring during the holidays it was my good (?) fortune to listen to pop and Christmas songs in the radio shack, getting misty-eyed especially when hearing the one in my current blog title. Anyway, Lord willing, we plan and hope to spend Christmas day with my sisters and family at Joan's home ... just down the street from the 'ol home place in Wallace ... and look forward to sharing and making some memories, while visiting our kids, grandkids and greats by "Skype" when able. And one of these days we'll truly "be home for the holidays" in Heaven where the trees don't shed their needles and we'll be able to worship the One
in person who is the theme of so many biblical Christmas songs! See Revelation 5:8-10. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!
