This week I would like to dedicate Out West to all the memories of those who are no longer with us to celebrate Christmas. Christmas was a time that was all about spending time with our family, friends and some times even just folks needing a home cooked meal. My grandma Virgie Nickell and my mom Corinne Nickell Hastings, like many other grandma’s and mom’s were some of the best cooks, and they showed me how. I was so blessed to have them in my life to show me.
Grandma would make homemade yeast rolls and cinnamon rolls, pies, fudge, and so much more. Always more food than what we knew what to do with. Because you never knew who might show up and it was Christmas.
One of my favorite memories was everyone sitting in the living room laughing and cutting up. At that time I was five years old and we lived on Delmar St. in St. Louis. We lived in an apartment above a bar. Cops were always coming out.
This one time, my dad throws an orange at me. I picked it up and threw it back. We did this several times. Because of the room being hot, they opened the window. I threw the orange and out the window it went, almost hit a cop below. When you are five you believe whatever everyone says. They began to tell me the cops were at the door to arrest me and take me to jail. Even had someone act like they were at the door. I hide behind the couch hoping no one would find me. Good memories of time spent with family and loved ones.
Back then it was not how many gifts we got. Most of the time it was just one gift from my parents and one from my grandparent. I was happy and so were they. My grandma always told the story of the baby Jesus and why it is so important in our life. My grandma wrote this poem: I hope you enjoy it,
“God’s Gift Upon Our Christmas Tree.”
I think that we shall always see
God’s gift upon our Christmas Tree.
You can not touch them with your hands
Yet they are there at your command.
There’s laughter for a happy mood
There’s gratitude for each new day.
A time to thank a time to pray.
The Christ idea with Holy light,
Shines clear to make yours pathway bright.
These things are yours if you can see,
God’s gift upon our Christmas Tree.
Christmas is the time to remember the reason for the season. Give someone a big hug and tell them how important they are to you. Do an act of kindness and love for someone, not because you have to but because it feels so good inside to do it. I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. I am sending hugs and all my love to all of you. Remember God loves you and so do I. May the Lord bless you and give you strength in all things that you do. Amen