By Jeanette Siemens
Pratt City Leader and columnist
Special to the Tribune
December is Christmas time. A beautiful time of the year celebrating the birth of our Savior. It’s a time to celebrate family and friendships. A time to say thanks for all the gifts we have been given, which are plenty. It is also a time of memories, particularly when you have gray hair.
As a child one of my favorite memories is that of being in the church procession at Midnight Mass. We wore white robes and tinsel halos on our heads, each of us carrying a lighted candle as we proceeded through the church to the crib.
Before we left our house for Midnight Mass, Dad would always remember something and have to run back in the house for a bit. When we got home there were always gifts under the tree that Santa had left while we were gone. One gift that comes to mind frequently was an ivory quilted skirt for me. The quilting was made with gold thread. I wore that skirt for years and loved it so much.
When our children were little, things were similar here. Santa usually arrived while we were at Midnight Mass, leaving surprises for all. I have always loved decorating the tree with lights and still can’t wait to get it up and lighted.
December, as I said, brings with it lots of memories. My Dad died in December. The gift was that I was with him as he left. Our son Jim, also died in December close to Christmas. Again, I was sitting beside him, holding his hand, and said, “You can go when you need to go” and told him we loved him very much. He was gone very shortly after. My father-in-law also passed away right after Christmas. He was a very special, kind and loving person. Again, I was blessed to be at his side, along with others, and had the opportunity to say to him, “you can go when you need too.” And he left. Strangely those memories, though sad, are also happy because they are about loved ones, and I can be able to share our caring and love with each other to the very end and beyond.
I still love putting up our tree, driving through Lemon Park many times along with all the other great things this community has to offer. The area museums all celebrate in different ways. The Filley has a great display of trees decorated by local people and groups. The Historical Museum reminds not only of Christmas present, but of Christmas past. Our Main Street is decorated with lights and beauty just making you feel good when you are there. Of course, Lemon Park brings people from all directions to enjoy the fantastic park with phenomenal displays. I remember years ago, walking down the street with Deb Goyen who asked what I thought about the possibility of doing some kind of decorating in the park for the holidays. I said I thought that would be great, not having any idea of what it would develop and grow to such an attraction. Then add a vibrant and active Main Street and other businesses to the list and it’s great.
Christmas is a beautiful time of year. We need to remember the first Christmas, which is the gift of all the Christmases to come. All the decorations, gift giving, music, and more, started with the gift to us, born in a stable, with a bright start shining above.
Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas.
