A Christmas to remember: The year was 1925. The price of crops had been low for some time, with no hopes of rising soon. To say the least, money was very scarce, and people were afraid it was only going to worsen. How would they survive the year?
The entire Olsen family was now working on the farm. More and More of the work had to be done by hand due to the loss of most of their horses. Papa Jo had to sell them to keep from losing the family farm. This made harvesting very difficult. Raymond, Josh, and Sara had to rise at 5 AM to tend to their chores and help Papa Jo in the fields. The corn was hand-picked and placed in baskets which then were carried to the barn. Their daily routine from dawn to dusk, with fall coming to an end and winter upon their backs. They were pressured to complete the harvest on time. This meant 15-hour days to keep what they had.
A Christmas to remember
Meanwhile, mama would bring us lunch of cornbread and water at noon every day. Mama’s main job was to care for the house and youngins. We were always grateful when she brought our daily bread.
According to the Farms Almanac, which Papa Jo swore by. It was going to be a blustery cold winter—one of the worst in years.
The night of the first hard snowfall, Papa Jo sat us down in front of the fire. He announced he was sorry there would be no Christmas this year with a tear in his eye. Any money gotten from the harvest would have to go for next year’s crops. With the depression continuing. Farming would be a very uncertain prospect for us all.
A Christmas to remember
Later that night, while Papa Jo slept. Mama and all the children gathered in front of the fire. Sara never saw Papa Jo cry before. I asked why he was so sad. Moma explained that he was sad because there would be no gifts this year. She continued to explain how Christmas was not just about receiving gifts but about being with the ones you love. As long as we have our health and each other, that is what God intended for us all.
Later while lying in the loft. Raymond asked, “Why don’t we do the gift-giving this year?”
“Who, Us,” said Sara. “Yes,” said Raymond. We can collect odds and ends from around the house and make gifts for everyone.
A Christmas to remember While They Slept
While Mama and Papa Jo slept each night, the older children would sneak out to the barn where they had gathered a collection of scrap wood and other materials lying around. From this collection of miss fit things, they began creating gifts.
“We can make a keepsake box for Mama. A tobacco pouch for Papa Jo to keep his Cherry tobacco in that he always saved for special occasions,” said Josh. “Let’s make a rag doll for Carol and a marble sack for JoJo,” said Sara. “That sounds great, Sara.” said the boys. Each evening they would take turns sneaking out to work on the gift. When finished, we hid them behind the hay bails till Christmas Eve.
Meanwhile, Raymond and Josh made some hair ties for Sara out of scraps of material from Mama” sewing box.
Finally, Christmas Eve arrived with mounds of snow and a brisk wind that froze Raymond’s nose as he sneaked out to the barn to retrieve the gifts. He then placed them under the small tree covered with strings of popcorn.
Christmas morning, they woke up to the smell of eggs, cornbread, and Hot Coco that Mama saved just for Christmas. Mama and Papa Jo gazed upon the tiny tree. The smiles and tears of joy fill the room.
‘What on earth; where did all these gifts come from?” asked Mama. “It must have been Santa!” said Papa Jo. “You children are really too much.” laughed Papa Jo as everyone opened their gifts. “Merry Christmas,” Shouted Sara.
A Christmas to remember God Bless & Amen
Later as they feasted on Mama’s vegetable stew and cornbread, Papa Jo led them in prayer. Let’s bow our heads. “Dear Lord, Thank you for this food we are about to receive and the wonderful children you have blessed us with.” “Amen,” said Mama.
It was a Christmas to remember. Sara thought of all that they had lost that year. The look on everyone’s face today. It will be etched in her mind forever. It was truly the best Christmas ever.
All the same, find a Christmas to remember by traveling to a destination you’ve never gone to before. Start a new tradition to pass along. We can help you get there. Meanwhile, always remember to love, cherish, and adore those around you.
Response Magic