My Memories of long ago Christmas...

My childhood days were fairly poor,
but Mother made sure we always had
at least one present. We didn't always have a tree, but the house was very brightly and cheerfully decorated with streamers of red and white bells, made from crepe paper and there were paper dollies eveywhere.

I would gently touch my present with a smile on my face, for I knew it was the gift of love! And I was happy and felt blessed, and didn't expect any more.

I remember Mother making cookies, cakes, and Christmas pies, and us children waiting impatiently for them to finish baking. We would sit on the floor around an old gas heater, singing songs that we knew by heart.

Christmas was my favorite time of the year.

For my children things were a little better. They didn't always get all they wanted, but we tried to get one large gift and a bunch of small ones, so they would be happy, and I tried to teach them to be thankful for what they got. And to always remember---

'The Reason for the Season.'
~Bessie~

Our hearts grow tender with
childhood memories and love of
kindred, and we are better throughout
the year for having, in spirit, become a
child again at Christmas-time.

~Laura Ingalls Wilder~