Christmas 1949

By Barbara Rowan, Avalon.
I always thought this was one of the best Christmases I ever had. Now that I think back I know why.
On the 18th of December, my best girlfriend’s birthday, we were going shopping to K and A area to buy Marie a gift and get lunch at H and H. Before we could leave there was a knock at the door. I answered and my great uncle Alfred was at the door.
We had no telephones in those days, so there was no warning that he was coming. He carried a case liquor into the house for my parents who really didn’t drink anything but beer. Next, he took out a large roll of money. He handed me a $50 bill, then one to my sister, who was three years old. Then he went to hand Marie one, and my father said, “That isn’t one of my children, it’s Barbara’s best friend.”
When he left, my parents took the money from my sister and me. I never asked what they were going to use it for or dare say “it is my money.” Years later they explained they were trying to fix the kitchen by Christmas and didn’t have enough money.
They used the money, and the money my father made by selling the liquor to friends to finish the kitchen. This never bothered me, as I didn’t want for anything that was necessary.
Christmas day that year I received the main gift I wanted: a watch. I received a new school bag and my parents told me to check it out, as I looked inside I saw the watch box. I remember crying because I was so excited about this. I received other gifts but don’t remember them. I now think I might not have received the watch if it hadn’t been for my uncle… my parents never told me.
My sister was too little to remember this, and when I was talking to her about it she didn’t remember the story about my uncle. Her own grandchildren had received money from different relatives and were upset and jealous of each other. I said she should tell them this story.
Never worry about what you receive but be glad for what you have.