Last week, the original lead singer of an Irish punk/folk group "The Pogues" died - Shane MacGowan. Although the band was around in my college days, I wasn't aware of it until recently. Shane MacGowan was a talented and interesting man, Irish to the core. The Pogues song Fairytale of New York is about a troubled couple - it's a sad, funny and somehow still joyful Christmas song. It was recorded and performed with Kirsty MacCall, an English singer who was killed tragically... now over 20 years ago.
The song seems fitting in some ways, since I've discovered that Christmas can be somewhat melancholy. There could be many reasons for this, but one in particular is missing family and friends that we've celebrated with in the past. Sometimes it helps to recognize this, and then move on with enjoying our current traditions including lights inside and out, the tree, presents and family time. I'm looking forward to Christmas, 2023 - it's a treat for me to have you both living her over this holiday season.
Here are some favorite memories of Christmas "when you were little". Maybe I've written about this before, I'm not sure..... Christmas began and ended (sometimes in March) with trains. Dad had a train platform up at Christmas time every year as a kid, it took up a substantial portion of the living room at Grandma's at about waist height. He continued this once you guys were old enough, with a couple platforms on the floor at our apartment (with our Christmas tree on top). He got out various sizes of track though mostly Lionel O gauge, and set it up. Next, which trains from Dad's collection to get out each year was a big decision - passenger, freight, etc. You guys would watch, and when you were old enough were allowed to use the transformer to run trains. I recollect Tiger being quite interested, and sometimes not getting out of the way in time when a train was coming down the track. It was a great source of fun for all the boys of the household.
We typically went to Wyoming Presbyterian's service of lessons & carols, with Silent Night by candle light. Then we had a casual get-together at Uncle George and Aunt Rebecca's house. Uncle George made piggies and kielbasi - yum! There is one particular gift I remember you guys got from Uncle Jason - a multitude of green army men that became a hazard underfoot. Back at home, we set out a plate of cookies for Santa and reindeer food on the deck (supplied by Cookie Corner, the recipe seemed to be uncooked oatmeal and glitter). On Christmas morning, Grandma came over to watch you open presents. Meanwhile, she as well underway in preparing an incredible Christmas dinner. The Gerbocs including all the cousins who were home came in the early afternoon and we barely fit around an extended dining room table. She always had turkey and ham, and numerous vegetables & salads. Her mixed fruit was amazing, as you know since Aunt Pam has taken this over (Alex, you are learning how to make it). Grandma had baked cookies, plus I brought pies for desert. You may remember, she had real Christmas trees in both the family room and living room, and of course there were more presents for everyone. Grandma really loved Christmas, she did A Lot to make it extra-special.
You might be interested to know, as another fond memory - through the 80's it was popular to line sidewalks with "sand candles" (white paper bags, with sand in the bottom and short candles) on Christmas Eve. Here's a picture showing what it looked like.
I still think, at my advanced age of 58, that Christmas Eve is the most magical night of the year. It's lovely to go to church, enjoy the quiet after everything has closed down and go to Aunt Pam's. And to see many Christmas lights. I've tried to make Christmas the most special time of year for both of you. Kids should have wonder in their lives including magical beliefs, from the tooth fairy to Santa Claus. When I was living in the Dominican Republic, Christmas was a religious holiday - but the bigger family celebration was for Three Kings Day (Epiphany) on Jan 6th. This was day that kids got their presents, and I was very excited the night before. We lived about a block away from the ocean - I remember seeing the lights from a ship go by a ways from shore, and was sure the three wise men were on the ship. It's a nice memory, I know you each will have sweet Christmas memories too.
