Monday, December 22, 2014

4 th Grade Christmas......

  This is going to be a bit long, sorry.....When I was 9 years old, I was in Mrs. Thatcher's  4th grade class, at Jefferson Elementary School. Back then there were life Christmas trees allowed in school. We sure had a pretty one in our class. Mrs. Thatcher let us all help put the ornaments on it. Meaning she had to adjust them , as all kids wanted the one they hung to be seen from their seat. LOL.
  The  teacher asked if anyone wanted the tree at the end of the day, for it would be thrown out. Could I get my hand raised any higher?? Please God let her pick me, pick me Mrs. Thatcher, pick me .  Wow, I must have had mental telepathy...because she chose me. Thank you God.
 Mrs. Thatcher told me that Bobby Joe's father would pick the tree up out front and take it to my house for me. When she told me that, I thought, good grief  Bobby Joe's dad was a worse drunk that my own father. But he has a truck. Yippee.
 At the end of that long day and it did seem ever so long, the tree was put out front of the school. I waited with it. The children all cleared out so fast to get home to their families and the anticipation of Christmas so near. Even my own brothers and sister, although there was nothing exciting about our house. I pranced  around to keep warm, as back then girls had to wear dresses. It seemed to be getting later and colder. I thought, where are you Mr. George.?? Please hurry.  I crossed the street to look down both ways. I squatted down to make my coat cover my legs to be warmer. I started to cry. I wiped my nose on my sleeve. I could see it was getting later and gloomier. So I ran back to the tree and buried my face into it to smell that wonderful  fragrance of pine, which is Christmas to me.
 Then I ran home as fast as I could . My big brother started yelling at me, "why are you late , where have you been, you are in big trouble Susie." I was really crying by then. I cried all the way home, I wanted that tree so badly. I begged my brother to go back to school with me to get it. Our parents were not home, daddy was probably drinking up his pay check while mommy would be begging him to go with her for groceries . After all it was Friday, pay day. My brother and I went back to school . My big brother dragged that tree all the way to our house(apartment). He was cussing the whole time, boy normally I would be dying to tell on him, but at this moment I just let him cuss. He is saying,  I don't know why the blinking, blink, blink , you want the blinkity old tree sis, we don't have anything to hang on it. I just didn't care , it smelled good , the tree itself was pretty enough for me. We put it in the window leaning against the corner of that bay window, in that dreary apartment. My sister and I hung the green and red chains we made at school on it. we had 3 cards someone had sent our family , we put those on . Then my sister and I cut out some snow flakes from our school papers and hung them on the tree. It was the most beautiful tree ever...well it really was our first ever Christmas tree.
  When our parents got home, they liked our tree. We kids actually got presents that year from the Salvation Army. Even mom and dad got us each something.  This is my true story.
    Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas. XO

31 comments:

  1. I love your true story and I love YOU!!! God is good. He has given both of us such wonderful lives in spite of having difficult childhoods.Perhaps that is why we are so very grateful!
    Merry Christmas, my dear Susie!!!

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    1. Thank you so much Linda, those kind words make me smile. Yes, It was horrible at times... But I feel I have risen above it with God good love. Blessings, I love you guys too , very much, xoxo, Susie

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  2. Oh my, I love your story and what a miracle your tree worked. I had a difficult childhood with drinking parents so I know what you went through.
    Have a Merry Christmas.

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    1. I know if you had a similar childhood, you have known pain. I know the good Lord watched over us, to see us through. Blessings to you, xoxo,Susie

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  3. I was going to start my comment with oh my, too. You really should send this to a magazine to be published. It's a beautiful story with a happy ending. I know you appreciate having a nice home and beautiful things even more. You are such a sweet and caring friend. Happy holiday week sweet friend. Hugs, Diane

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    1. Thank you so much Diane, I do think of you as a true friend. My girls tell me, don't tell that story mom, it's too sad. LOL. You know that old saying what doesn't kill us just makes us stronger. I must be a tough old bird by now. LOL. Love you, Susie

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  4. That is such a precious story, Susie! Even with your brother's Scrooge attitude about the tree. LOL Have a joyous Christmas, friend.

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    1. I think back on it and I know that was the best thing my brother could have ever done for me. Even with his cussing.LOL. He was only 14 , but he knew better. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  5. What a precious memory. Even in the worse of times, God dips his paint brush of love and colors our l ives with beauty.Thanks for sharing your story with your friends.

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    1. I have known that God loves me since I was very young. He made me strong enough to endure tough times in my childhood. I am blessed. xoxo,Susie

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  6. Oh Susie, your story is so wonderfully written! Wishing you a love filled Christmas and many blessings! And thanks for being my blog friend.
    Love and hugs, Cheryl

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    1. Cheryl, I have made true and wonderful blog friends, I think of you as one. I am blessed. xoxo,Susie

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  7. oh my how beautiful, I enjoyed this so much, best wishes to you for the happiest of happy Holiday season,

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    1. Thank you Laurie. I hope your Christmas is a wonderful one filled with love of family and friends. xoxo,Susie

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  8. This is such a beautiful story. My step-father was an alcoholic so I understand where you are coming from. Even though you had a tough life, this is a sweet memory. Thank you for sharing it. I know you appreciate Christmas and the life you live now more than most.

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    1. Kathy, Don't you think tough times make tough people. I don't fall apart if things don't work perfectly...but girl I have learned to pray :):) I know my Lord loves me. xoxo,Susie

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  9. Damn, Mom that story gets me every time! But Diane is right you should submit it somewhere to get it published.

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    1. Honey, I know you kids think it's a sad story, and maybe it is.....but it has helped to make me strong. As bad as it was, I would go back just to hug mommy and daddy once more. I love you sweetheart, mommy

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  10. Susie,
    What a heart warming story. God is good and what a precious gift he gave you. So happy you had that beautiful tree as your very own. My dad was an alcoholic too so i know all too well the difficult times that made in childhood. It is moments like the Christmas you had that helps to keep life good. Thanks for sharing your warm wonderful Christmas memory with us. Merry Christmas sweet friend.
    Kris

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    1. Kris, That tree may have been more trouble than it was worth...but to me it was precious as gold. Do you wonder how different our lives could have been if our fathers had not been into the drink. I loved my parents with all my heart, despite all the tough times. I wish you a wonderful Christmas Kris. We know God is good and we are blessed. xoxo,Susie

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  11. Very touching
    I hope that you keep getting blessed every year. Amen

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    1. Munir, I wish you wonderful Christmas blessings too. Thank you for being a blog friend. xoxo,Susie

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  12. Oh Susie, this is so touching. I could see that little girl so clear. This has brought tears to my eyes. Merry Christmas sweet friend and God Bless. xo

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    1. Susie, You know what doing without is like...it was not easy on poor kids growing up. But God would give us a blessing to make us happy. The tough times made us stronger, don't you think. Wishing you a joyous Christmas. xoxo,Susie

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  13. Thank you for sharing from your heart, Susie. We often think back to the difficult times and realize just how much the Lord has done for us. God bless you and yours this Christmas. You are a treasured blog friend.

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  14. Thank you so much Mildred. I feel that I had to do the tough times to become a strong person. It made me strife for a better life. But I also know that God was helping. I am blessed. Wishing you a beautiful Christmas for your family and you. xoxo,Susie

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  15. Susie, I just don't know what to say. I can't imagine to be blessed with all of those children (since I am childless) and not try to give them the best life possible. I'm so glad you went on to have a wonderful life now. Your beautiful daughters and you close-knit sisters. You are blessed now lovely lady.

    Cindy Bee

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    1. Cindy, If my father had not been a drunk, our lives would have been so much better. He was an expert carpenter. He had 6 children by his first wife and 7 with my mother...then my mother had 4 more with my step father....they weren't even catholic.LOL...I chose to be different than my up bringing. I am truly blessed with my daughters, grandkids, and my siblings. Some siblings could have done better for themselves. You know as the older children left home, things were better for the young ones. Bless your heart, xoxo, Susie

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  16. I know what you mean about the pine scent. Your brother may have cursed but he did bring the tree home. Now I have to go and read some more blinkity blink blogs.

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    1. Boston Boy....you crack me up !! When I think back on that day, I know that is one of the nicest things my brother ever did for me when I was young. He was about 14 and thought he was the boss of all us kids. Clobbered us some times too. :):) We were always telling on him. ..even now if he acts out, I will yell for "mommy" and she been in heaven for 8 years. He will just laugh remembering all those other times. You know how siblings are, we will beat each other up and jump on anyone else who gives our siblings a hard time. Right? Bless your heart, xoxo, Susie

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  17. Oh Susie, I liked your story so much that it brought a tear to my eye. I have been writing short stories the last year about me when I was a young girl so the kids will know a little more about their mom growing up. You should do the same, Susie. This is a wonderful story, and I'm so glad you got to take the tree home. I was wondering if you ever found out where the neighbor was that was supposed to take the tree to your house?

    This is a great story, and I loved every bit of it.

    love,
    ~Sheri

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