A couple weeks ago I wrote about a girl in my life that made me feel terrible about the hair barettes (we 4 girls only Christmas gift from Mother that lean year) we were so proud to have received ...
I asked my brother about his Christmas memories ... In his note you will read about the 'apple'. His wife has shared this story when they were visiting with us. How seldom we think beyond our own moments, but my SIL brought things to a screaming front position with her simple Christmas request as a child... Enjoy.
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My brother reflects Christmas memories ~
I had many, and they all seem to be a blur as sometimes it’s easier to blank out things which we would like to forget . When you related the time Helen Jean asked: “Is that all”, brought to mind when I was in the third grade, and we were forced to go to the head of the classroom and speak into a wooden microphone which was crafted by Steve R’s (sic) dad to tell what we received for Christmas & where we went for the Holiday ’s. Mine was the shortest……….
I returned to my seat wearing hand-me-downs (amidst the snickering) thinking that when I got older, and had kids, that I was going to take them to every state in the union, and spoil the heck out of them. I haven’t been able to do that (yet), but it is one of the reasons that Trevva & Quaella have been to ½ of the states as of this missive.
I’m not bitter as I know mother did the best, with what she had for resources, but it did instill in me that internal drive to be the best that I can be ...
One of my goals prior to leaving this world is to start a food bank in the Philippines , by growing food, and then giving it away. My wife has related to me how she would go to bed on Christmas Eve dreaming of finding an apple under the tree for her. - - An apple. We as kids had it far better than many of the children around the world who go to bed on empty stomach, and fall asleep dreaming of just eating, and what the next day of scavenging will bring.
I will get off my soap box now, thanking you for asking the question of my most precious Christmas memories, as most of them go back to December of 1992 when I arrived in the Philippines for the first time and witnessed real poverty, yet such great happiness. The Philippines celebrate the birth of Christ, as we all should, and not the commercialization of it.
Your favorite brother,
Buck
*****
PPS This is why 'giving to others' is such a passion of mine, it takes precedent over much in my life ... these little moments in life molded me ... others before all else. I thank my Lord daily for the blessings that have been bestowed upon me to share in joy for & with others.
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