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Sunshine
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Listening to every heart

0 posted 2005-12-18 11:04 AM



Christmas ’64 (Tangerine Memories – Thanks, Ed!)

It was another Christmas
of “don’t expect too much,”
one I had heard before,
but this was different,
times being so tight, the cupboard
only bore necessities like beans,
and a little meat
that needed some serious stretching till
next Sunday…

and we were grateful we knew
which way the wind blew…

I didn’t know until later, that
our family’s name ended up on a list
of needy…

I don’t really recall
exactly what folks felt we needed that year…
we had each other, our health, and love,
in those times one could still cut a tree
for free…
even our oldest decorations seemed to sparkle
the brightest, that year…

so I really don’t recall what anyone would surmise
that we were without…

but a “care” package was brought,
and my mother, giving careful thought,
handed back those things for a mother and dad…
but kept the gifts meant for the children
and me

(I was 13, after all…)

so Santa arrived in the guise
of neighbor and friend
and toys were explored as imaginations
soared, simple board games
were on the floor,
when mother explained,
to me, privately,
if it had been her choice,
she would have chosen the
Tangerine lipstick herself,
to put in my stocking
that year.



© Copyright 2005 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved
Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
1 posted 2005-12-18 11:12 AM


Karilea~
What a lovely remember to share~

Mom memories are just so very special~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*No matter what I search for ...
let me know when it is LOVE that I find*~ <))><

Email -         noles1@totcon.com       

Enchantress
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since 2001-08-14
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Canada eh.
2 posted 2005-12-18 11:16 AM


WOW!!  I remember Tangerine lipstick!!
Wonderful write Karilea.
Hugs~Nancy

~Let peace begin with me...  

ice
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since 2003-05-17
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Pennsylvania
3 posted 2005-12-18 11:47 AM


Excellent!---I love the whole story, especially the ending...

_______  _______ice
       .
       .
    ><>

Martie
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4 posted 2005-12-18 12:13 PM


Sissie....I remember that lipstick too!  Wow!!  Loved this!  
Nightshade
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just out of reach
5 posted 2005-12-18 02:02 PM


ah, Christmas memories. Wonderful Karilea. Thankyou for sharing this. hugs!!
Enchantress
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since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
6 posted 2005-12-18 06:23 PM


No way!!!  I saw the link on Martie's post.
You can still get Tangerine lipstick!!!

JamesMichael
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since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
7 posted 2005-12-18 11:57 PM


Nice...James
pictureme2
Member
since 2005-11-13
Posts 194

8 posted 2005-12-19 12:06 PM


ahhh I remember the lipstick too! I really enjoyed this read of memories! I felt the love of a family from the beginning to end.
thanks for sharing this.
pictureme2

iliana
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since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
9 posted 2005-12-19 12:10 PM


What a precious memory, SIL!  Tangerines immediately bring back memories to me.  Tough times weed out the winners from the losers and, my Kansa gal.....you're a winner (and what a sweet mom)!  Merry Christmas to you and yours.   ....jo  
littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
10 posted 2005-12-19 09:11 AM


Oh, Kari, you speak of many Christmas' of my own as a child.

Makes us appreciate what we do have.



(sorry I missed this)

LeeJ
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since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

11 posted 2005-12-19 09:18 AM


so Santa arrived in the guise
of neighbor and friend
and toys were explored as imaginations
soared, simple board games
were on the floor,
when mother explained,
to me, privately,
if it had been her choice,
she would have chosen the
Tangerine lipstick herself,
to put in my stocking
that year.


its no wonder you are the person you are, being raised by such intellectually humble parents, who lived their lives in silent example...you should be very very proud to have had them....blessed and graced by the hand of God....

Hugs for this wonder...

kayjay
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since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015
Oregon
12 posted 2005-12-19 10:55 AM


From this story, I recall the time when my mother, my two sisters and I slept crosswise in one double bed in a one room apt(bath down the hall, thank you).  But Christmas of 1949, she came up with a $20 to buy me a Lionel train, which I still have.  

Thanks for a great tale of your youth and that memory for me.  Ken

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

suthern
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since 1999-07-29
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Louisiana
13 posted 2005-12-20 04:26 PM


we had each other, our health, and love,
in those times one could still cut a tree
for free…
even our oldest decorations seemed to sparkle
the brightest, that year…

so I really don’t recall what anyone would surmise
that we were without…

Oh, lady... these lines say so much about you... and what was valued in your home. *S*

What a beautiful write of a special memory!

Kaoru
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where the wild flowers grow
14 posted 2005-12-20 05:34 PM


AWESOME! I love memories.
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