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The
Best Christmas
EVER!
We all have one–a special memory from the
holidays that sleeps lightly in our subconscious.
Something about the nip in the air seems
to rouse this memory from its slumber,
bringing it to the front of our minds
to warm us against the coming
of winter.
We asked a few Lancastrians to bring their own
memories out just a bit early this year and to
share these memories with us. They obliged,
and we are thrilled to present them to you
here. Just a few examples of the Best
Christmas Ever!
Rick Martin,
President, Wheatland Custom Homes
As I go back in my mind to memories of Christmas Pasts, I always
seem to end up with my childhood memories. I guess that is
a reflection of the fact that I am going back to a simpler time,
when life was based on only two things: having fun and sharing
love. And all those memories have one common thread–family.
Some are with Mom, Dad, sister and brothers. Since Mom and
Dad preferred to sleep in on Christmas day, we opened gifts
on Christmas Eve, naturally after a hurried dinner and quicker
clean up. Other memories are with aunts, uncles, cousins, and
grandparents. I remember Grandfather Martin giving a quarter to
each of his grandchildren. Even at a young age, we realized that
was a great sacrifice for him with so many grandchildren. One
of those early years, since my uncle Noah could not be there to
share in the family celebration, we recorded a tape to send to
him. I sang an unaccompanied rendition of “O Holy Night” as my
contribution. A couple of years later, as teenagers, we had a “slot
car” Christmas. Four of us cousins and our uncle Mel built a slot
car drag race track the length of Uncle Roy’s basement and had
races all day. And who could forget the year we put salt in the
sugar cup. You should have heard Uncle Clair yell as he tried to
drink his salt laced coffee.
But the most vivid memory is one that I actually do not
remember except for what is in the Martin family lore. So
these are the facts according to Mom: Mom and Dad bought
an American Flyer train set for all of us to share as our “big” gift.
On Christmas Eve we opened up the gifts, and there was the
best train we ever saw. Naturally, Dad set it up for us; and after
the usual lecture about how we need to be careful with it, not
running it too fast that it jumped the track, he promptly ran it so
fast that it jumped off the track, rolled off the edge of the table,
and ended up on the floor. It makes a better story to say that it
was broken, but in reality, that is the legend, not the fact.
My Christmas prayer for all of us is that we could go back, if only
for the moment, and again experience Christmas as children,
without all the hype and bustle, focusing on the love and joy as
we celebrate the day with our friends.
* * * * *
Mara Sultan,
Director of Sales, Lancaster Arts Hotel
When I was thinking about the question, “What was your best
Christmas memory?” I immediately tried to reach back in time
and come up with something that happened when I was a child
or long ago. But after a few more seconds passed, I realized my
best Christmas memory was just last year.
My husband was deployed with his Marine Unit in Iraq.
Thinking of spending the holiday without him was unthinkable,
especially knowing how much he loves the Christmas season
– cold weather, snow, the fireplace in our cozy living room,
and the family that brings our home to life on Christmas Eve
and Christmas day. My step-sons and I approached the season
the best we could, all knowing it would not be the same, but
something amazing happened. The tiny tree that we were going
to get since Dad was away, turned out to be the biggest tree
we ever had! (We stood on the high end of the ground when
we picked it out not realizing it was 9 feet tall!) We decorated it
the same as usual, music playing, cats in front of the fire, but the
decorations were different. Some paid homage to the service
men, instead of the typical red shiny balls. We took LOTS of
pictures and sent them to Bill. We recorded every moment
leading up to the Christmas holiday so that he was sure to be
with us, at least in spirit. Christmas Day, as usual, that same loving
family adorned our living room, chatting, laughing, and eating
our Christmas meal. And it was wonderful. None of us spoke
about the obvious absence, though it was abundantly clear when
it came time for Bill to read the Christmas story–the story that
HE reads every year. His brother Jeff was just about to read it
for us when the phone rang, and it was Bill. We ALL took turns
talking to him; it was so wonderful to hear his voice! And then
he said, “Please open the box I sent you and pull out the disk in
the envelope; put it in while I am on the phone with you.” What
he had recorded for us was a video of him, in his bunk, reading
the Christmas Story to us, from Iraq, to the sound of Christmas
Music in the background. None of us could speak. The magic of
his call at just the right moment was nothing short of amazing.
I will never forget last Christmas. Although my husband was
not with us physically, he was there in every other way – in the
ways that are most important. He was there in love, the kind
that fills your heart to the brim and bubbles over. This is why last
Christmas is my best Christmas memory.
* * * * *
Victoria Henderson,
Educator and Fine Living Lancaster
Copy Editor
I look at my seventeen-year-old daughter and a sweet sadness
fills me as I remember the little girl who wrote letters to Santa
and who put out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the
reindeer. I am taken back to Alyx at seven. She was at the age
where she still wanted to hold onto the belief in Santa, despite
No matter how BIG, no matter how SMALL...
Your very OWN home is the best fit of all.
Call Deb and have a home “fitted” just for you.
Roxie Geist
Associates of Lancaster
Deb Geist
Office: 717-569-2222
Cell: 717-468-3266
debgeist03@aol.com
“Serving Lancaster County families for 20 years”