Posted 7:54 pm Sunday, December 23, 2012
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Holiday memories: A Christmas card for East Texas
By DANNY MOGLE
dmogle@tylerpaper.com
The following is an edited version of a letter from Barbara Wood, of Jacksonville, that I received in 2010. I now run it each year in Good Neighbors on the Sunday before Christmas. I think of it as a Christmas card for East Texas.
dmogle@tylerpaper.com
The following is an edited version of a letter from Barbara Wood, of Jacksonville, that I received in 2010. I now run it each year in Good Neighbors on the Sunday before Christmas. I think of it as a Christmas card for East Texas.
Christmas is a time for family, a time for laughter around the dinner table and a time to remember the loved ones who are here and, of course, those who were once here.
Christmas is a time to truly count your blessings, a time to hear children’s laughter, and a time to hear a senior tell an old story one more time and then pretend that it’s the very first time you are hearing it.
Christmas is a time to tell those who mean the most to you how you really feel.
Christmas is a time to smell the aroma of cooking that was made with tender love.
Christmas is a time to consider others around you and to give and give again.
Christmas is the season to remember why we celebrate (the birth of our Savior) and on Christmas morning to tell the children why we do what we do.
Traditions that are practiced every year (become part of your) childhood memories.
I think of the times my mother and grandmother cooked the chicken and dressing. I can almost smell the aroma and see the tea cakes that Mother had made the day before.
I remember the smell of the fresh-cut Christmas tree and, as though it was the most important task in the world, taking time to decorate it.
I remember the excitement of seeing relatives we had not seen since the same time last year.
Oh, the memories of the holidays.
Christmas is a time to tell those who mean the most to you how you really feel.
Christmas is a time to smell the aroma of cooking that was made with tender love.
Christmas is a time to consider others around you and to give and give again.
Christmas is the season to remember why we celebrate (the birth of our Savior) and on Christmas morning to tell the children why we do what we do.
Traditions that are practiced every year (become part of your) childhood memories.
I think of the times my mother and grandmother cooked the chicken and dressing. I can almost smell the aroma and see the tea cakes that Mother had made the day before.
I remember the smell of the fresh-cut Christmas tree and, as though it was the most important task in the world, taking time to decorate it.
I remember the excitement of seeing relatives we had not seen since the same time last year.
Oh, the memories of the holidays.
For my own children, I decided long ago to display picture albums of past Christmases. I bring the photo albums out on Christmas Eve for all to see and remember. It just seems to warm the hearts of all around.
For those who have loved ones who cannot be with you this year, try and remember their smile, their hugs and their warm words. And for those who have loved ones who will gather, love and enjoy them like this will be your last time together. I promise you won’t regret it.
Make it a Merry Christmas.
Barbara Watson Wood
Jacksonville, Texas
For those who have loved ones who cannot be with you this year, try and remember their smile, their hugs and their warm words. And for those who have loved ones who will gather, love and enjoy them like this will be your last time together. I promise you won’t regret it.
Make it a Merry Christmas.
Barbara Watson Wood
Jacksonville, Texas
