Christmas 1954

Two small children were standing impatiently in front of the living room window, staring into the night. Their eyes were dancing with excitement, for today was Christmas Eve and tonight, Santa would come.
The day had been so long and for sure, this was the longest day of the year. Even their mother was impatient as she repeated the same words; be quiet, be good, find something to do! And they had tried all those things. Now they were just looking out the window trying to catch a glimpse of their father. He would be coming home soon.
They stood, side by side, little faces pressed against the cold window pane. They waited and waited!
Tonight was special! Their father was bringing home the tree to be decorated for Christmas. There weren't many lights and only a few fragile balls. Always, at least one ball, it seemed would slip through the tiny eager fingers that wanted to help.
At last, they saw him, dragging a cedar tree with one arm up the steps to their back door. They rushed to open the door for him so he could take the tree to the usual corner in the living room. there was a single hook in the wall always used to secure the Christmas tree.
Their father was very particular about the tree. He had to center it with the fullest section showing. This year, he took more time than usual, but he finished the task. The large multi-colored lights went on first, then the tiny balls and last, a million shining icicles, The lights in the house were turned off and the tree plugged in. It was magnificent! The children were finally still as they sat on the floor staring at the tree.
They were not ready to go to bed, but their parents warned them that Santa might come and shouldn't find them awake. With that thought in their little minds, they turned to run upstairs to their cold bedrooms. Their parents tucked them in under so many covers that they couldn't even turn over. But they didn't care.
They tried so hard to stay awake, just to see Santa, but every year, he came and went and they never saw him. It was all magical!
Christmas morning dawned at last and the two little kids ran down stairs to see what Santa put under the tree for them.
There weren't many toys, but they don't seem to notice. Their stockings are stuffed full, not with watches and diamonds, but hard candy, tangerines, and a box of life savers. But they are content. They don't seem to notice that their parents have no gifts for themselves under the tree. This year, they had no need for gifts.
The children were too young to know the hardships their parents had endured earlier that year. Their father had an accident on a dredge boat that almost completely severed his left arm. Initially, the doctors doubted if they could save the arm. But their father was a strong, determined, man. After numerous surgeries and months of rehab in Fort Howard, a 3 1/2 hr bus ride, he proved the doctors were wrong.
His arm had been saved, but he could no longer work on a dredge boat. In fact, he couldn't work at all. He had a wife, 2 small children and an infant son to feed.
With no income, the little family had to leave their home and move in with the children's grandparents. In those days, families were there for each other. That's what family is all about.
Their father spent the last few months accepting any odd job, nothing was too menial for him. He worked all day with his left arm in a sling, but he never lost hope or complained. He prayed everyday for God to strengthen his arm and He did!
When the new baby had arrived, the need to go back to their home was apparent. The parents prayed every night for a miracle.
With a few dollars saved, they were able to move back just before Christmas 1954. They had a miracle!
And Christmas had come indeed! Their parents sat together on the worn sofa, holding hands, smiling, as they watched the excitement on their children's faces.
After the children opened their toys, their parents gathered them around the tree and their father read the Christmas story from the Bible. Then the family got on their knees and thanked God for their blessings that year.
Christmas came to a poor family with no income, no bathroom, and no car. For you see, Christmas is not what you find under a tree. You have to look around you to find Christmas.
This was the Christmas for us in 1954, my brother Neil was 8 years old, I was 4 years old and my baby brother Wally was an infant.