Christmas long ago

(This is a picture that I found on the internet, but looked so much like my brother Jimmy did as a little guy...I had to put it on.  The tree reminded me of the way ours did growing up...lots and lots of icicles!) 

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(below is a blog post that I made back in December of 2011 from my mom and dad's love story...thought you all might enjoy it again.  Mom shared this event with me...)

A Wonderful Christmas
12/08/2011  
 
The beds are warm  and cozy, the sugar plums are dancing in the heads and the reindeer are a
stirring outside.  Well that really could be what's happening, right?  

Let's back up a ways...Linda and Sondra, along with Jimmy and Larry, were put to  bed on Christmas Eve knowing that the morning could be bringing them wonderful surprises.  Not sure if they were dreaming about those things, but do know that they went to bed thinking about that.  As for the reindeer...I'm sure there were some of those stirring somewhere...maybe not outside their house, but
the patch of woods up the road could very well have a couple of 'em playing reindeer games or something.
 
Back to the  kids...they were all sleeping soundly in their beds...or...were they?  Willie and Helen had been so worn out from all the goings on the night before, they were sleeping extra sound tonight.  At first they didn't hear what was going on in the living room, but something definitely was going on!  I
think Paula heard the noise, and it may have been what woke her up...she began to fuss a little bit, which in turn woke up Helen.  She shook Willie and told him she heard something in the other room.  It was 3 in the morning...what in the world?  They both got very quiet and listened intently at the clanging and thumping, and began to smile as they realized the noise wasn't something scary at all.

Out in the living room there arose such a clatter...Helen picked up Paula, then followed Willie in to see what was the matter.  When what to their wondering eyes should appear?  Sweet little Jim Bo in his red wagon left under the tree.  He was all cuddled up in it, and falling back to sleep.  Willie gently picked Jimmy up and carried him back to his bedroom, and put him in the bed with Larry.  The other kids were still sleeping soundly and didn't know about the commotion ...they would be waking up in a few hours to find their presents under the tree.  But for now, they continued to sleep like little angels.

Paula fell back to sleep with no problem, and so did her mommy and daddy.  It felt as if they had just gone to sleep, when they again heard the pitter patter of little feet heading to the living room.  Linda came running in to their bedroom saying, "Santa came!  Santa came!  Come See!"  So, they got out of bed and headed to the couch to watch their precious kids with their treasures.

The stockings that were once in a row by the tree, were now strewn on the floor with the oranges and apples rolling out.  Linda was sitting at her new little table and chairs serving pretend tea in her toy cups.  She was so excited that Santa had been there last night.  Jimmy was back in his little red  wagon and was asking daddy to pull him around the house.  Larry was putting on his coat and opening the front door so he could go outside to ride his new bike...he couldn't believe he actually had his very own bike to ride around.  Sondra had wanted this bride doll for so long ...she was
beautiful. She was so happy to be holding the doll she had dreamed of having as her own.  What a wonderful Christmas!

Helen and Willie sighed ... it felt good to see your kids so happy!  Helen would start Christmas dinner and Willie would pull Jim Bo in his Wagon and watch Larry ride his new bike back and forth in the living room because the weather outside was frightful.  Sondra and her new bride doll would sit at Linda's new table and chairs and have a cup of tea.

Yes, it was a wonderful
Christmas!