Christmas memories

By Paulette Tobin

(12/25/99)

Today is Christmas day. It will be a quiet day at our house. Mark has to work this afternoon. Emily and I have some house chores planned and then an evening of watching movies. Although, since she is 15, her plans are subject to change and could become much more exciting at a moment's notice. Me, I plan to stick to the watching movies plan.

It seems strange even after all these years not to be in Eureka for Christmas. My mother will spend the day with Gerry, Patty, Lori and Clayton out at the farm south of Eureka. My sister, June, and her husband, Chuck, are at their home in the California desert. My other brother, Dave, his wife, Denise, and their children, Shandra, Brittany and Brant, are at home in Ord, Neb., spending the day with Denise's family.

Mark, Emily and I had our family celebration yesterday with a turkey feast, opening of presents and 5:15 worship at Calvary Lutheran Church. Emily's teen choir sang "I am so glad each Christmas eve" in Norwegian. The sanctuary was glowing with candles, and brilliant with poinsettias, frosted branches and Christmas trees. The lector read the story of Christ's birth as recorded by Luke, ending in the blessed words of the angels: "Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" Afterwards Emily asked me: "OK, Mom, how many times did you cry?" She knows me too well.

There's nothing like being in church on Christmas eve, holding a lighted candle, and singing "Silent Night" to stimulate a flood of holiday memories, and perhaps a few tears as well.

I thought of the Christmas eve services at Zion Lutheran in Eureka, which in those days was the children's program. I remembered how we practiced every Saturday afternoon to be angels, shepherds, wise men, and, if we were really honored, Mary and Joseph, in the play. We memorized pieces, sometimes in German, and each Sunday school class had a song to sing. The littlest children always sang "Away in a Manger" and their devoted teacher, Pauline Opp, spent about 15 minutes making sure they were standing in absolutely straight lines before they began singing.

I remember the goody bags we got after the program. There was an apple, an orange, a popcorn ball, peanuts in the shell and candy.

I remember going to Grandma Beck's after church to spend Christmas with the aunts and uncles and cousins. One year I got a little bride doll with her bride dress and veil.

I remember the year we got home from church and there was a tricycle under the tree for me. That's the only time I can remember believing there might actually be a Santa Claus, because I could not figure out how the tricycle got there.

I remember going to Eureka to see Santa Claus, of being so excited, and then getting more and more scared the closer I got to him. Remember how the Ben Franklin and Coast-to-Coast store would just be bursting with toys?

I remember school Christmas programs at Detmold No. 3 country school. Our Moms sent their old sheets to school so we could hang then over a wire strung across the front of the school, so we could have a curtain. We sang songs and performed skits. At the end of the program, Santa Claus brought us gifts.

As a teen-ager I remember coming home from college and the fun times we had at the Silver Keg and VFW getting together with all our friends who were scattered to different jobs, schools and universities all over the place.

And I remember the many Christmases we spent in Mom and Dad's big house in Eureka as we brought our families back to be together for the holidays. I thank God for those happy memories that become more precious with each passing year.

Thanks to all who have sent greetings during this festive season, especially those of you who have emailed a holiday message to share on this site. If you haven't sent a message yet, it's not too late. Please join in the online reunion.

As you celebrate this most wonderful day, may you enjoy many wonderful Christmas memories.