Every year at this time Mom and I talk about our memories of CHRISTMAS. We sit back and smile as we remember all of the little rituals that we went through on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They were great times and we wouldn't trade them for anything. With 11 children, you can imagine the noise and the laughter that filled our home those days. The looks of anticipation on our faces was priceless. (Moms and mine also) As you can imagine we started or preperations early so that on Christmas Eve we just had to go thru our little rituals.
It started early on Christmas Eve when I would put the tree on its stand and bring it into the house. Then would begin the decorating process. We would all help. First would be the lights. They were a bit more difficult than now because they were wired in sequence. If one light was out, they all were out and you had to change them one at a time until they all worked. Then would come he balls. When we started out, we tried to have everything in blue, but this changed quickly. By the time the tinsel was ready, we were not too neat. The littlest ones always tried to get it the highest on the tree.
In the afternoon, the girls all made oatmeal cookies. I can still taste them. We would always save a few by the fireplace for Santa. After dinner, we would go visit Helaine and Jack and the boys for a couple of hours. We didn't stay long because we were all so anxious to get home.
Arriving home, everyone would hang their stocking on the fireplace mantle. We would light the tree and all sit around and sing Christmas Carols. I still smile as I remember the young voices singing Silent Night.
After everyone went to bed, I would get all the toys and the games and put them under the tree in seperate piles for each of you. It was a good year if I didn't have to assemble too many things.
On Christmas Morning, you would start coming into our room at about 6am. The first two or three, we would take into bed with us to try to buy a few more minutes sleep.
It didn't work too well as it became pretty crowded very quickly. Finally we would get up and go downstairs. You would wait at the top of the stairs while I looked to see if Santa had come. I would light the tree and tell you it was OK to come down. The stampede would start as you all rushed down. Its a wonder there wasn't some broken bones. The pandamonium would start. Wrapping paper would be flying everywhere. There would be shouts of joy as you recieved what you were hoping for.
The older children would take care of the younger ones and make sure that they found their gifts.
After breakfast, we would start getting ready for Church. We went to the 10AM mass at St. Rose of Lima Church. All the girls had new dresses and the boys dressed in shirts and ties. Mom and I still remember the feeling of pride that we had as we attended mass with everyone.
After mass, I would go into Jackson Heights and bring my Mother and Father out to dinner. Moms' Mother and Dad would also come for dinner. Mom would fix a huge dinner with a delicious roast beef and all the trimmings. There would be laughter and talk and song and everyone having a great time. After dinner the games would come out and everyone would play.
It was a great time. As I remember, I smile at the wonderfull times.
