Who can forget those special Santa gifts that brought such joy to us in our childhood? Those toys we fervently hoped ol’ Santa would bring for us if we were good? Livia J. Washburn, Cheryl Pierson, and Tanya Hanson write about some of those hopes and dreams for that certain gift with a special, personal twist to each story.
But Christmas memories also sometimes hold a special place in our hearts because of a person that was somehow important in our lives. Authors Sharon Cunningham, Beverly Wells, Carol Huff and Gigi Meyer weave that aspect of Christmas into their beautiful holiday tales, with remembrances of some very special people in their lives—and why Christmas means so much because of them.
Kathleen Rice Adams pens a sentimental story of a wonderful gift to her mother from her father. And Charlie Steel’s story of hunting for the perfect Christmas tree with his father is sure to make you smile. Jim Landwehr, Tina Holt, and Randy Lee Eickhoff all give us a backward glance at the love and traditions from the past that make Christmas what it is, while Christine Waldman tells a poignant tale of Santa looking for his lost reindeer in the snow.
This is one wonderful collection of heartfelt stories that you will not want to pass up—and it also makes a great gift for all ages—if you still believe in Santa!
Tell us about your favorite Christmas memory. We'll be giving away a free ecopy to one lucky person who comments.
It's such a thrill and honor to be part of this collection. I so appreciated the quiet time it took to look back and feel and dream and remember! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTanya, I enjoyed this, too! Very different to look back on these memories from an adult's perspective--and so fun! I loved your story!
DeleteThe one I remember is when I was very young and I polished a big red apple for over two weeks so I could have it looking all shiny for Santa. I set it with the cookies and mil Christmas eve and was so proud and excited for Santa to see my shiny red apple. Well, years later, that was the first thing I thought of , my polishing the apple for, SANTA!
ReplyDeleteShirl, that's funny. Isn't it weird what kids think is so important? But that was a big deal, I'm sure--that he have the BEST apple there was, because he did so many wonderful things for everyone else. What a sweet memory!
DeleteMy most memorable Christmas was when I was six. There were four of us girls at that time, and we were all "Daddy's girls". It turned out that he would have to work on Christmas Eve, a very special time for us. Being rather poor, my parents put the emphasis on the little things. We would drink Mama's hot cocoa, and Daddy would read the Christmas story from the Bible. We had "Christmas Eve" presents; Mama's homemade Jamie's and new slippers. Then we would check Santa's progress on the radio, and off to bed.With Daddy not there....well, just not the same. But right about time for bed, a miracle!! Daddy walked in the door! They had decided let everyone off early, to be home with their families. It was a night to remember.
ReplyDeleteAW, MARLA! What a great story! Truly a Christmas to remember that brightened your whole world, just to have your dad there. That's a wonderful memory! Thanks so much for coming by and sharing with us.
DeleteI still could kick myself for not participating in the first MFMS, USA: Leaving Childhood Behind. I adored every one of the seventeen stories in that one. And although I was smart enough to be included in the author line up in this Christmas one and am honored and delighted to be part of this great book, I am totally excited and eager to start reading all the others. I know I'm in for a treat. Thanks to all who made this possible. Gotta love all those fond and heartwarming memories.
ReplyDeleteBev, there'll be others! Aren't these fun? I love working on these and seeing the finished product. Both of these anthologies have just been marvelous--I couldn't be prouder of the way they've turned out.
DeleteI have many wonderful memories of Christmas as a child and as an adult. The memory of our first Christmas as a married couple is one that is special. We were married in the middle of the Vietnam War. We had to delay our wedding because he was deployed. 3 weeks after the wedding, he got orders to go back over. We had been married 5 weeks when his B-52 crew was sent to Guam. He was due to come home Dec. 20, but that didn't happen. The base where we were stationed was in remote northern Maine. He called and told me to be on the first flight I could get to join him on Guam for Thanksgiving. It was actually easier to be in Maine when he flew bombing missions. I knew he was doing it, but not exactly when. That changed when I was there. You knew when they took off, when they were due back, and worried the whole time. They were only flying over South Vietnam so the risk was low. I was to fly out at midnight, Dec. 17. We were going out to dinner and he was taking me to the airport. While we were getting ready, the pilot's wife came back to the apartment we shared and said all crew members had been recalled to and confined to base and no one knew why. I was pretty sure I knew and was correct. They started Linebacker 2 bombing North Vietnam the next day. The wife took me to the airport and I continued as planned to my mother-in-law's home in Florida. The next day 3 B-52's were shot down, the first in the war, I think. We sat on pins and needles waiting, afraid to hear a knock on the door. My husband called that day and every day afterwards to let us know he was OK. He made it to Florida a little after the New Year. We celebrated a late Christmas, all the more sweet because he was home safe.
ReplyDeleteAs a military family we discovered early on that you celebrate holidays and special days when you can. A birthday or Christmas is just a date on the calendar. What you are celebrating is what that date represents and that can be done any time.
Oh, Pat! I can't even imagine what you must have gone through, wondering and worrying. That had to be the hardest thing. My sister was married to a Marine fighter pilot during the Vietnam war and I remember from just the bits and pieces of conversation I overheard from my parents' end when they talked on the phone, the tension and worry and then the follow-up conversations between Mom and Dad about it all. Yes, those dates are just "placeholders" on the calendar--the important time is when couples and families are reunited and able to truly breathe a sigh of relief and be thankful to be together again! I'm so glad you shared this story with us!
DeleteCheryl
And our winner is...SHIRL DEEMS! Shirl if you will e-mail me at fabkat_edit@yahoo.com I will make sure you get your prize!
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