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| Me, and My Two Brothers, circa 1967 |
I think the Christmases of our youth, when we're young and the world is a new and exciting place, those are the ones we remember the most. We're young, happy, we have our families, pets, friends around us... those days are filled with joy and anticipation.
Waking up early, running out to the living room, marveling at the Christmas tree and all the goodies Santa Claus had left us while we slept. Magical! Mom and Dad would stumble out of their bedroom, half awake, half asleep and trudge to the kitchen to make coffee for themselves and hot cocoa for us kids.
We dared not even touch our stockings, hung by the chimney with care of course, as it was all part of our family's tradition to do every little thing like that together. We weren't even allowed to open all of our presents because we had to wait for our Grandma and Grandpa to arrive from across town.
Coincidentally, they actually did live over the river and through the woods. Well, not actually woods per se, but lots of neighborhoods!
My younger brother, Danny, got a bright red fireman's helmet with a built-in speaker and microphone. I remember what fun he had running around making fire engine sounds through the speaker... until my Mom told him he needed to take his fun outside.
I don't remember a whole lot from those days gone by, but mostly how warm, cozy, and happy we all felt just being there with our Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, and yes, even my two brothers.
It was truly a magical, joyous time of the year, one that I've held dear to my heart ever since.
Merry Christmas Dan & Barney!
