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

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2003-12-19 11:10 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.

LeeJ
Member Patricius

since 2003-06-19

Posts 13296

1 posted 2003-12-19 11:25 AM

we had each other, our health, and love,

That in itself is a Christmas Statement in a great big stocking with a big red bow.

This was beautiful! Very much enjoyed.

I love listening to the stories my mom tells of what Christmas was way back then...believe me, if they received one tangerine, and one apple, they were very endowed and blessed.

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius

since 2000-10-09

Posts 13989

2 posted 2003-12-19 11:33 AM

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

It helps to know which way the winds blow sweet lady...very enjoyed...

Sunnyone
Member Ascendant

since 2000-07-06

Posts 5334
Staffordshire, England

3 posted 2003-12-19 11:49 AM

Oh, I love these memories, and you know...it just makes me realize even more that Christmas is not what you get, it's the goodness of sharing with family and friends. Here's wishing you many joys this Christmas, Sun-sis, and all the blessings of the New Year! ~S~

Life is what you make it
Don't let it make you...

garysgirl

Member Laureate

since 2002-09-29

Posts 19237
Florida, USA

4 posted 2003-12-19 11:53 AM

Karilea, the love and tenderness
that I felt in this one
made me cry.
This was so sweet.....
Hugs,

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

5 posted 2003-12-19 11:59 AM

Karilea...What a wonderful glimpse into the right attitude and you have brought back a memory of my tangerine lipstick that had been long forgotten. Thank you! Hugs!

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

6 posted 2003-12-19 12:07 PM

Tangerine lipstick!! Oh my...I remember!!
Thank you for this...love it!
Hugs~

~Let peace begin with me...

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

7 posted 2003-12-19 03:28 PM

Oh, lady... you've captured love in words... and done so beautifully. *S*

Patricia
Member Elite

since 2003-04-06

Posts 2160
Missouri

8 posted 2003-12-19 05:02 PM

K-
Oh, and you know how I love stories, and this one I absolutely adore. I am still teary eyed from my students peaking 'round my classroom door wishing me a Merry Christmas and our choir singing Silent Night through the halls of the school. And now, you've done it...gone and made those tears flow. That's why I love ya!

A beautiful write of the true meaning of Christmas...love!

Patricia

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

9 posted 2003-12-19 05:46 PM

Sunshine lady, I just have to tell you that I literally got goose bumps when I read the last few lines. How blessed you are! lol

Ratleader

Member Rara Avis

since 2003-01-23

Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass

10 posted 2003-12-19 05:50 PM

My little fuse lit this big firecracker of a poem....that's pretty humbling!

....may I ask that question about the first tangerines now.....? ...........hmmmmm?

Nightshade

Member Patricius

since 2001-08-31

Posts 13962
just out of reach

11 posted 2003-12-19 09:14 PM

Thankyou for sharing this heartwarming memory with us Karilea! hugs, Chris

Goodknight
Member Elite

since 2002-06-15

Posts 2386
Ohio, USA

12 posted 2003-12-19 09:56 PM

great poem - thanks for the trip down memory lane - I remember many times when there wasn't enough but it seemed to be plenty - Paul

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

13 posted 2003-12-20 04:24 PM

(smiles) God Bless You, sweet friend, it is wonderful to get to envision what past Christmases were like as I didn't grow up then and would have loved to, yay! (big angel hugs) May that tangerine lip balm continue to tingle your lips with memories of loved ones, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Karilea, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"You'll find something that's enough to keep you
But if the bright lights don't receive you
You should turn yourself around and come back home" MB20

vandana

Member Patricius

since 1999-10-22

Posts 10463
USA

14 posted 2003-12-20 05:27 PM

merry christmas

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.