Thursday, December 22, 2011

Passing Time

(image from the web as NO snow here in MN!)

This picture brings back many memories of Christmases past.
Growing up in a small, rural
town in Minnesota,
we were always assured we'd have snow.  And lots of it.
It wasn't uncommon to walk around town in snow
up to my waist.

In my family, we open our gifts to each other
Christmas Eve night.  So as a child,
Christmas Eve day could be the longest day ever!
It was always fun though.  So many people
would be dropping in with greetings and gifts for my parents.
Laughter filled the home.
Yet.
It.
Still.
Dragged.
On.

I must have been somewhat of a pain as my older siblings,
(I have 3) would eventually step in.  I can remember one brother
spending hours and HOURS with me playing board games
so I wouldn't be bored.  When he was away in the military,
I'd grab a friend or two to carry on that great past time.

One year, I got an extra special treat.
You see, my Dad was the Postmaster in our little town
and the mail carriers that worked for him were all friends of ours.
One of my best friend's dad was one of those mail carriers. 
The two dads conspired one year
and decided we could ride the mail route with Clyde
(no, it wasn't proper protocol but in those days,
it was easy to look the other way).

Anyway, I'm not too sure how we all fit in his car
which was already overflowing with cards and packages but we did.
We had Christmas carols playing on the radio
and shared many giggles down those snow covered country roads.
I think what I liked best though was seeing all
of the little gifts people left in the mailbox for their mail carriers.
Back then, of course, it was always home baked items
or bottles of something or other to drink. :)  It's just the way it was.
I can remember feeling as though we were Santa
riding in our sleigh and dropping off gifts.




Upon arriving home,
Mom would have some hot chocolate ready
and if we were lucky, a Christmas cookie or two.
It never seemed long after we arrived home
that the real fun began.
Actually,
that last line is the child in me speaking.
The adult in me longs to visit
those mail boxes once again.



25 comments:

Unknown said...

What a fantastic childhood memory!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

How fun that your dad was postmaster. Really cool that you got to ride along!

Which reminds me - I need to put together my little bag of goodies for ours! :-)

My Mind's Eye said...

Jill what a wonderful post and so well written. I felt like I was right there in your home playing board games with you. You really should consider writing a book...
Thank you for sharing such precious memories with us.
Hugs from Madi and Mom to you all,

Melodie said...

That is a terrific memory! Thank for sharing!

Judy said...

What a wonderful childhood memory! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas with your family.

TexWisGirl said...

what a great day that must have been! i love this!

Anonymous said...

Holy cow... waist deep snow? Unreal!
=)

Nancy said...

A special day in your memory Jill. I'm happy that you shared it with us. The true meaning, to be sure. :)

Changes in the wind said...

Such great memories...thanks for stopping in and leaving a comment:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Jill,

I am your newest follower. What a nice and chillin' blog you have :) We had the same tradition back home in Sweden, to open the presents on Christmas Eve. In fact, the BIG day for us is Christmas Eve and we had to wait until after the dinner to open our presents. Very long wait it was. Everything looks so nice with snow at christmas. Unfortunately we don't get much of it here. Doesn't look like we will have a white christmas.

Nice story :) Have a great day!

Eva

ღ Jans Life According To Milo ღ said...

Great memories, Jill, we opened our presents on Christmas Eve too, and I was exactly the same way. That's so great that people remembered to leave things for their mailmen, how awesome is that. And, yes, I saw your snowy pic and thought, "You have snow!" Lol. Hopefully you all will get some soon, we haven't had any more either. : )..

EG CameraGirl said...

You have such lovely memories, Jill! Thanks for sharing.

Bev said...

Wonderful memories!

Have a wonderful Christmas!!

Fernanda Ferreira - Ná said...

Wonderfully written and remembered.
Those were the glorious days of Christmas.

Merry Christmas

Fernanda
Portugal

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed this post/memory so much. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

What a wonderful memories you've share with us today. I had to laugh...I just left a gift for my mailman in the mailbox yesterday.

God bless ya and have a bright and beautiful Christmas with those you hold near and dear!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS YA'LL!!!

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

What a lovely story and memory that I really enjoyed reading today that reminds me of a time and feelings of Christmas so long ago!!

Merry★* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★Christmas Jill!!★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門| ˚

Sandra Wilkes said...

Jill, That is such a delightful story and visual. I remember 'trying' to get tired and sleepy on Christmas Eve and nothing worked! It sounds exactly like you got to play Santa that year and I know you will never forget that time. It even gave me chillbumps too!

Michaele said...

Delightful story Jill. I don't even know who my mail person is. That's sad.

Jackie said...

arent childhood memories the best. Thanks for sharing

Blessed Serendipity said...

What a great memory you have and a wonderful time spent with family. It must of been fun riding along and dropping off packages and wondering what was in those packages. Finding little surprises in the mail boxes must of been fun too.

xo,
Danielle

Bonnie K said...

What a fun memory. I bet it was a fun day. Thanks for sharing.

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh wow, this is such a special memory!! Thank you sooo much for sharing this! Sending Christmas (((((hugs)))) your way,
Cindy

Janie said...

Being part of the crew had to be a highlight for a cute little girl giggling along. I had that experence too but married to a letter carrier. Back in the day they liked carrying mail, delivering packages to the last moments possible. Things were much looser then. Thanks for sharing your great memories of your dad. I wish things were more simple these days. Never thinking I would ever say something like this ever.

Chatty Crone said...

Okay I must be off or reading backwards or crazy - I thought you were getting snow!
Just stopping by to wish you a very Blessed Christmas for you and your family. Love, sandie