As I continued to write this blog, I realised it was too lengthy for just the one so I am doing it is three parts - Past, Present and Future. Feel free to share your experiences too, would love to hear them!
I am quite a sentimental, silly ol' sod all year round so Christmas is the icing on my (sloppy, gooey) cake - although on reflection, I think my sister, Karen, might be even worse! Old films, sherry (just at this time of year) ancient Chrissie decorations, lights that never work, recycled cards and family and friends all around. Even now, the sweet anticipation and excitement is still in me. With some loved ones living here, there and everywhere, it is a time to touch base, enjoy a bit o' bonding and have some fun. Emails, phones and letters are all very good but you can't beat a touch or a hug. Last year my lovely stepdaughter, Sally and her family couldn't fly out of Paris due to the snow and ice, no matter how hard they tried, and the disappointment was immense. But, dear reader, please don't think that we have always (or ever?) had extravagant, carefree and joyous Christmases because that isn't the case at all, as I will mention in the coming blogs.
The first Christmas I can remember was when I was four. Together with my mum and dad, I lived in a tiny basement flat in New Brighton. I was so excited and had asked for a doll's house for my 'big' present. I woke about 5am and there is was! Of course I had to wake the folks up and it was some time later that I learned my dad had only finished making it at 3am - ah, bless! I am sure that stories like this abound across the country - aren't parents clever!
From then and until I stopped believing in Santa (did I ever?) there was always the book - Bunty, Dandy, Beano - a tangerine, nuts and chocolate money in with all the other
gifts and all from Father Christmas. I knew he existed because mum and dad couldn't possibly have found the money for such things. I remained adamant about this until I had a fight with a boy at school (I was ten!) about it and it was only then that my folks sat me down and told me 'the truth' and I was gutted. The first big disappointment in life..ah. I laugh and cringe at this now in equal measures.
Just after that, I can distinctly remember being taken to Lewis's toy department (it was a wondrous place for a child) in Liverpool, looking all around and thinking there would never be anything to take the place of toys in your heart, ever, ever. Not too long after that I discovered boys and realised that certainly wasn't true! This was followed by playing the same, parent/Santa role with the four children in our life. I hope they have forgiven us for the lies!!
This photo shows the picturesque St Bridget's Church in West Kirby. It was taken in about 1970, not the distant past but any excuse to use it. Please note how many others ran out with their camera in the freezing snow. This is one of my best selling cards at Christmas so it was worth getting cold for!
No comments:
Post a Comment