Texas Tidbits: Old Folks Remember Christmases of Their Youth

We did a post similar in theme a few days ago to what you'll read about today, but this one has a more personal touch to it. The other day, we learned about some of the stuff the people of the early 20th Century mail ordered to give at Christmas time. Armadillo shell baskets and deer hoof thermometers were all the rage back then. Today, we are going to be reminded of what Christmas was like at the homes of people who were children about the same time our Grandparents were kids. If you think Christmas has changed since you and I were kids, sit back and the let the stories from those young people of yesteryear paint a vision of what this Holy Day was like to them so very long ago.

• Zulieka O’Daniel was born in 1911 and grew up on a farm southwest of Hart, Texas. She recalls the usual treats during the holidays and one very special Christmas. Here is her story.
• Reba Guess and Elora Riddle were born in Alabama. They were two of the eleven children. The family moved to a farm west of Kress, Texas in 1915. Their memories reflect some of the changes the family experienced. Reba tells about the family’s celebration in Alabama.Their recollections can be found here. 
• Cindy Kennedy lived on a farm near Wildorado when she was a little girl. There were four girls in the family. There were no brothers, but an uncle lived with them most of the time the girls were growing up. Uncle Roy was a part of the family. Cindy’s family went through some tough times financially. Cindy remembers one fairly bleak Christmas. Mrs. Kennedy recalls the Christmases of her youth.
• Mill Boyd moved to Dumas in about1920 when she was in the third grade. A community celebration was held each year at the schoolhouse. She shares her memories with us.

What a pleasure to hear these memories from 100 years ago from these wonderful people. They serve as an inspiration to us all for appreciating the humble Christmases of their childhoods. The next time one of your kids or grandkids complain about how "little they have", pull up this post and show them exactly "how much they have." A little dose of humility is a life lesson that will serve them well and show them Christmas is not all about video games, computers and cell phones. Christmas is much more than that. It is about the birth of a child 2000 years ago, who grew up to give his life for us, so that we may live with Him for eternity when we depart this Earthly realm. May God bless you all.

A Thanksgiving Message

I was reading my Facebook page this morning and I took notice of a comment made  by a friend of mine in Texas. His name is Joe. It was a short, simple comment that really packed a wallop. Joe said that he wanted to thank his wife, Kim, for all the hard work she's putting into making Thanksgiving a truly special day for him and his family. Those few words hit me like a ton of bricks. With the excitement of the holidays, we (we meaning men) often take for granted the tremendous amount of time and effort that wives, Moms and Grandmas put forth in doing what they do that makes holiday gatherings extra special - cleaning the house, grocery shopping and of course cooking up feasts fit for kings. And the cleaning that follows these get togethers ain't exactly a walk in the park.

As I thumb through the memory pages in my mind recalling some Thanksgivings of yesteryear, I can smell the apricot fried pies Grandma Shoemaker used to make for us kids and the homemade biscuits the size of half loaves of bread that Grandmother Cowger was world famous for, at least with the family and some friends that shared Thanksgiving supper with us. I can hear the joyful sounds of children playing and laughing, oblivious to wonderful aromas emanating from the kitchen and the buffet that will soon be served. The buffet that one Thanksgiving somewhere in the future that they'll be talking about with their children, reliving that moment long ago that has stayed with them through the course of their lives. Kinda like I am doing right now. One of my favorite things about those Thanksgivings of my youth was saying grace before diggin' in. The honor of being picked to say grace over Thanksgiving supper was a huge responsibility, but a welcomed one. I don't remember the words, but I do remember some of the most beautiful prayers ever uttered said over the supper - so eloquent and so heartfelt. Words straight from God spoken by one of His children, and God was pleased.

As I type this, Heather is busy in the kitchen getting food prep done for our Thanksgiving Day supper, making memories that some day we'll share with our grandchildren. New smells and new memories in the making that trigger a flashback to the times of my kid hood and those Thanksgivings long since past, but not forgotten. I just hope that the Good Lord will speak through me when I say the grace at our supper tomorrow and give me the words to express just how thankful I am for the blessings in my life that are far more than a wayward son of God deserves. I have forsaken Him many times in my life, but He has never forsaken me. I have been blessed in ways that humble me and remind me that God is always nearby to pick me up when I fall. Nearby when I act like anything but a son of God. Nearby to calm me when life deals me adversity. Nearby to put some wisdom to me when my own "wisdom" fails me. Nearby when I look at my two little girls sleep, dreaming the way only a child can. Nearby when I am less than a good husband or father. Nearby. That's where God is. Nearby.