I grew up only a few blocks from my grandparents’ home on North McKinley Street, here in Shawnee. I have been blessed with having a large, close family, which has given me a lifetime of wonderful memories, especially this time of year.
We would all gather at the home of my grandparents John and Jewel Claborn on Christmas Eve.
Before we settled down to enjoy the wonderful meal that was prepared by loving hands, silence would fall throughout the house as grace was given by my Uncle Bill (Claborn).
Everybody was hungry and ready to tear into the bounty of food before us. The sitting arrangement was a challenge but some how we coped. There were too many people to sit at the dining room table.
So a game plan was set forth, the preteens were set at a small table in the enclosed back porch, the teenagers ate their meal in the kitchen at the table, the adults, well whereever you could find a place to get and enjoy, the dining room table, living room, etc.
When our bellies got full, and us children started to settle down a bit, my uncle Bill would gather us around his feet on the floor.
As he looked down at us from my grandfather’s recliner, and pulled out the book “Twas the Nite before Christmas.” Some of us have heard that story several times as which I’m sure you all have.
But he could tell the story with such enthusiasm that you believed every word. I don’t really remember any special store bought toy, but I will always remember him reading the story of St. Nick. My grandparents have since long passed on, and we recently lost my uncle Bill.
We still gather for Christmas Eve, but now it’ at my parents’ home.
And I hope I can build some of the same memories for my nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
That someday they will cherish these memories of today, sharing the holidays surrounded with love and joy of being with family this special time of year.
Thanks to all my relatives for the wonderful memories. You know who you are.
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I grew up only a few blocks from my grandparents’ home on North McKinley Street, here in Shawnee. I have been blessed with having a large, close family, which has given me a lifetime of wonderful memories, especially this time of year.
We would all gather at the home of my grandparents John and Jewel Claborn on Christmas Eve.
Before we settled down to enjoy the wonderful meal that was prepared by loving hands, silence would fall throughout the house as grace was given by my Uncle Bill (Claborn).
Everybody was hungry and ready to tear into the bounty of food before us. The sitting arrangement was a challenge but some how we coped. There were too many people to sit at the dining room table.
So a game plan was set forth, the preteens were set at a small table in the enclosed back porch, the teenagers ate their meal in the kitchen at the table, the adults, well whereever you could find a place to get and enjoy, the dining room table, living room, etc.
When our bellies got full, and us children started to settle down a bit, my uncle Bill would gather us around his feet on the floor.
As he looked down at us from my grandfather’s recliner, and pulled out the book “Twas the Nite before Christmas.” Some of us have heard that story several times as which I’m sure you all have.
But he could tell the story with such enthusiasm that you believed every word. I don’t really remember any special store bought toy, but I will always remember him reading the story of St. Nick. My grandparents have since long passed on, and we recently lost my uncle Bill.
We still gather for Christmas Eve, but now it’ at my parents’ home.
And I hope I can build some of the same memories for my nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
That someday they will cherish these memories of today, sharing the holidays surrounded with love and joy of being with family this special time of year.
Thanks to all my relatives for the wonderful memories. You know who you are.
