It’s almost Christmas time. I’m little, real little. I’m not too sure what Christmas is. Everyone’s talking about it and seems excited. There’s something on the back porch. It’s covered with a cloth. I’m not supposed to look under the cloth. I don’t know why. It looks kinda like Patsy’s tricycle. Why would they cover Patsy’s tricycle? I wish I was big enough to ride Patsy’s tricycle.
It’s Christmas. Jimmy went out to the back porch and carried something in. It’s covered by a cloth. They take the cloth off. It’s Patsy’s tricycle. NO, it’s not!! It’s my tricycle!! It’s been painted bright red and it has my name painted on the wheel in white. I’m big enough to ride Patsy’s tricycle!! But it’s MY tricycle now!!! I’m a big girl!
*This is my earliest Christmas memory. Times were hard then and a hand me-down tricycle, even if repainted red would not be such a big hit in these present times. But to me, it was the most beautiful thing in the world.
~Norma Baird Shackelford~
I have many fond memories of Christmas but the ones that come to mind is the Christmas plays I was in at Admant Baptist Church in Stone Creek or the treat we got every year from the Bonny Blue Church program. The miners would buy a dollar ticket which would be good for one treat. Dad would load us up and take us to Bonny Blue and we would all get a big paper sack (poke) full of nuts, candy, cracker jacks, oranges, apples and tangerines. It was all we could carry. If it was that way today, it would probably cost fifteen or twenty dollars. That was the highlight of my Christmas of yesteryears, along with going out and cutting our own tree, usually a cedar tree.
~Kidel Baker~
As many of you know, I came from a big family (10). First and above all, we were taught that Christmas was when our Savior was born. I remember when we lived at Benedict, the highlight of Christmas to the kids was when the Company Truck would go all over the camp with Santa. There was also a big "poke" for each of us and a gift. Also, I remember going to church for a play and getting a "poke" there also.
~Ronnie Carter~
All my Christmas's were nice. Didn't get a lot but always appreciated what we did get. I remember one that stands out in my mind. We always hung a stocking on the wall next to the Warm Morning stove. I went to bed after hanging my stocking. Got up early (as we usually did) on Christmas Day. Nothing under the tree for me. Had oranges, apples and some nuts in the stocking. Was feeling pretty bad. Thought Santa had forgotten about me. Went into the kitchen to get water and there was a bicycle with my name on it. Took good care of it. I was about 12 years old that year and I still had it when I left just before my 18th birthday.
~Charles Robbins~
Oh my, where to begin??? I guess with the earliest memory that was in Benedict. We moved from there when I was 3 but I remember just like it was yesterday when Santa came to our house on Christmas Eve and I cleaned my runny nose on his beard. I remember thinking after I made the decision to use his beard as a Kleenex that he might be mad at me and not leave me anything but Santa came thru and I had my doll on Christmas morning. From there the memories just flow, like wonderful smells coming from the kitchen, cases of Coca Cola (a treat), being so cold cleaning the church where there was no fire (but it had to be clean for the Christmas program) and using clean white sheets thrown across a rope as stage curtains. The "poke" full of fruit, nuts and candy given out by the church. Going with Daddy to cut down a fresh tree, climbing fences and trudging through the snow sometimes to drag it home; itching from the "angel hair" but worth it after the lights were turned on and seeing the shimmering glow dance across the tree. The beautiful angel on top that Momma said was there to watch over baby Jesus and us. Waking up one Christmas morning and looking out on a beautiful layer of fresh white snow; sledding down the hill in front of our house after opening our gift and I say gift because we each got one and felt lucky to get that. Waiting anxiously for Grandma to come because she always gave us a silver dollar. Drawing names at school and exchanging gifts and hoping the boy you liked got your name or you got his. Being so proud when you got through your part in the school play without making a mistake and looking out and saw your parents smiling and applauding for you. Glad to be out of school for 2 weeks but anxious to go back because you missed your friends (and teachers too, of course). I remember the year I stopped believing in Santa ( I found my scooter hidden behind the couch.)!! I remember wishing I hadn't found it. Most of all tho, the memory that stays with me is the feeling of love all around me!
~Frankie Fields~
Christmas 1944 although not pleasant, is by far my most memorable Christmas. I was a member of the 66th. Infantry Division aboard the Troop ship 'Leopoldville' crossing the English Channel when it was torpedoed by a German U-Boat at 6:10 P.M. Christmas eve. Eight hundred and two from the division lost their lives, including two from Lee County, --Charles Goins from Stickleyville--and--Charles L. Bush from Ewing-- The survivors from Lee County were Clarence Napier from Stone Creek. Calvin Parsons from Puckets Creek. Jack Evans from Leona Mines. And me. Some, like myself jumped to a British Destroyer and were taken to Cherbourg, France about six miles away, while others had to jump from the sinking ship into the icy waters. Some were plucked from among the high waves to be taken to Hospitals where they were treated for injures, or in some cases bring their frozen bodies back to life again.
The next day 'Christmas' was spent counting heads, checking Hospitals etc. for missing Comrades. We spent a couple more days right outside Cherborg on a windy hill side in pup tents getting resupplied with weapons, ammo, and clothing if it was available. My field jacket went down with the ship. I made do with a wool knit sweater for about a week before finally getting another field jacket.
By January 1st we were on line in northern France. The most of us were just eighteen years old. They call that age 'kids' now days. Well I guess you could say that we were kids also, But just in a short span of time we went from a holster and cap gun at Christmas to M1 rifles and Machine guns.
So to sum it all up, I can say that I have many fond memories of Christmas over the years, but Christmas of 1944 still haunts and visits me in my dreams especially at this time of year.
~K. Carson Kirk~
*For Carson's memories of Christmas in the 30s, click here.
It seems very appropriate this year to have Carson's memories of the War. We knew the enemy at that time. We are again at War and this time the enemy is unseen but more than Evil.
Dec 24th, 2001.......How many of you can remember this? I’d say many of you can. We had no TV. I’d never been to a movie theater. I don’t know to this day where the Missionaries came from. I just thank God they came. And yes, believe it or not it was a two room school with a pot bellied stove and we did walk about a mile to school, PINE GROVE SCHOOL. Where we learned (the most important things, “the Story of Jesus”).
Forgive the misspelled words and my terrible writing. I’m not gifted at writing like my brother Carson. But had to try because this memory means so much to me.
“One of the My Fondest Memories of Pine Grove School”
Right before Christmas two Missionaries would come to our school to tell the story of Jesus’ birth. They had a little black car. They would take their stuff from the trunk and bring it in. They had a tri-pod with a big board that they would set up first. As they told the story of Joseph and Mary on the road to Bethlehem with cloths (like felt), first they would put up a black felt background; then blue for the sky; then rocks and some green scenery. They had life-like figures. They showed Mary riding on the camel with Joseph leading the camel. They would remove that scene and show the inn and the inn keeper, telling Mary and Joseph that there was no room in the inn, they could rest in the stable in back of the inn. They then showed the stable with sheep, donkeys and other animals. Then the manger where Baby Jesus lay with Joseph and Mary looking down at Him. Then they put the scene with the star (a big, bright star) shining bright and pointing down over the stable where Baby Jesus lay. Then they showed the Shepherds watching over their sheep. They showed the Wise Men bringing gifts to Jesus.
Then in the Spring they would come back, bring in their tri-pod and materials. They would tell the Easter story. They showed Mt. Calvary. They put the two thieves on the crosses. They put Jesus on the cross between the two thieves. The figures looked so real. Nails in Jesus’ hands and feet. The pain, the suffering. In my young mind I wondered WHY?? Then they told how they put Jesus in the tomb and put the big rock to close the tomb. (John 20:1) Then the 3rd day, they showed the rock rolled and away and Jesus was gone. He had Risen! About 40 years later I can still see those two beautiful missionaries and hear their beautiful stories. I wonder if there would be room for them in our schools today.
I now know the answer, WHY Jesus suffered. I know it was because God loves us so much, he sent his only son to take my sins and yours and suffer on the Cross for us. Thank God, He lives and I can find Him every day. Will be with Him soon.
~Clay Kirk~
*Thank you Clay for this beautiful memory. Praise God.... He lives!!!!!
2001
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