Christmas is a time of Joy.......

Christmas IS a time of Joy, in the true sense of Christmas. It is almost Christmas Eve, and, I am not feeling all the Joy. I am feeling somewhat depressed. As I finished wrapping my gifts tonite, I felt like my gifts would disappoint. As my daughter says: 'It's the way YOU perceive things, Mother', and, she is probably right....She is Usually Right...dammit!

Growing up, our Christmas's in the 40's was soooo different of course. They were fantastic. A school play on a 'makeshift' stage. Sheets hanging over a wire to serve as the curtain. Oranges, apples & assorted nuts & popcornballs, all in a paper sack, handed out as we left the building. On Christmas Eve, Midnight Mass. Then home to see what Santa had brung. While Daddy was trying to manuever the car into the garage, Mama would jump out & go into the house 'to see if Santa had arrived' . All of us girls could hardly wait to see what was under the tree...sure enuf, as soon as we walked into the house, there they were..........four dolls under the tree....What a glorious sight! We would usually have oyster stew, and off to bed. That's all we needed to be absolutely the happiest girls south of Reliance. And, that is about how it went year after year. We were happy and greatfull every time.

I think we will all be forced to look at 'the good ole days' in the next few years...........'something terrible happening with our economy' . 2008 is getting worse than 'The Great Depression'. I have a feeling by the time Christmas rolls around next year, everyone will be more appreciative. Frohliche Weihnachten & ein gutes NeuJahr........