Only Kids – Anyway!
When, you are a little girl in an Orphanage, you learn new ways to celebrate Christmas! Even though I went to a Catholic School before German St.Vincent Orphan Home, the Nuns, were of different religious orders, and some of the Nuns at St.Vincent, came from Germany.
Before Christmas, there are the four (4) weeks of Advent. You were encouraged to perform some type of mortification – repentance, so that when Christmas arrived, you were more in the Spirit of Receiving the Christ Child, into the world. You were to become a more meek and mild person!
Since I was just eight years old, and had to learn all these new ways and rules (and you may as well hear it from me – some of the Nuns, were very mean and excessive and abusive, to some of the children).
As the first and oldest child in my family, I did learn to listen, watch what was going on, learn a lesson or two! So that is what I did, paid attention to what the older girls did when receiving candy, like the stocking from Famous Barr store, and on Visiting Day, or if one of the Nuns gave out treats for work done – accumulated “quite a stash!”
Now that I am so much older and wiser – if you are going to give up something for Advent or Lent – you do not accept just to enjoy, later! What was your big sacrifice? Do little kids understand all that?
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Learning to Make Something pg.2
Continuing – When I was eight years old and learning to do Needlework – learning that the more you do it – the better you become with the project! Also, was learning , “Haste makes Waste.” You need to take your time and be careful so that the small stitches produce the look and design intended for the project. Large sloppy stitches and carelessness won’t pass muster, with the Nuns!
One visiting Sunday, I had told my Mother, that I was learning to do “Cross-stitch” and she thought that was “Terrific!” Some time later Mom brought me some threads of various colors, and a small linen hand towel, requiring someone to select the right colors of thread and do the design .
Well, that’s what I did, but I was in a hurry, and when I had completed it – I did not like the finished towel. I could see first hand sloppy work – looks bad no matter how you look at it. All I could do was to now be very careful to undo everything, I had just done?
It was close to “Christmas” – and I made up my mind – this is going to be done right – there’s no other way! This needs to be done and done perfectly, because I will be making this “Towel as a gift for my Mother!”
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Learning to Make Something
On Mondays, from 1:00 to 2:00pm, instead of going back to classes at school, we assembled at the tables in the playroom This was for Girls only! Each girl had an assigned seat, and each Monday, you were sitting ready to receive your bundle of “Handiwork” to work on. Each girl was taught by the Nun in charge, Sister M. Colombo. You would learn to do embroidery work, and also to crochet, and she would find out what was best for you to do!
Since, I had not done any of this fancy stitching, had to start with a plain white cloth with a lot of xxx’s on it, and told how to pull the threaded needle up and down across the area . Then told to turn the hoop and start where I had left off and make an “X” a complete “Cross-stitch.”
Now that I think about it – I did make quite a few squares of material with Cross-stitch. Whatever the design, I did not really take notice, ( I was only eight years old) but I’m sure , with enough squares completed, if they are joined together, you could easily have a small quilt?
My eyes were surveying what the older Girls were making, and how fast their fingers and hands were going – like they had a mind of their own!
I, need to continue this by answering – Why? For What? and More!
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1st Sunday of Advent
Everyday going by, is a day closer to “Dec. 25th” and this is how I remember the days going by in the 1940’s!
The first ” Advent ” Sunday in December – we “Orphans” would put on our Sunday best clothes, and board the waiting Greyhound Buses – 4 of them. These buses really looked good sitting in the driveway at German St. Vincent Orphan Home! Some of the “Nuns” also going and dressed in their “Winter Cape” and I as a small little girl – thought they looked “beautiful” – the million dollar look!We sang songs most of the way, until we reached downtown.
Famous Barr, was the destination, and their employees and Christmas Elves were directing us into the store and up the “escalators” When we reached the 9th floor, we were walking pretty fast and directed to seats in the auditorium. There were other children associated with other institutions, and all of us were having a great time! On the Stage , were live “Actors and Acts, some Three Stooge Movies, and “Santa” with singing!
Instructions were announced to follow the Elves to Toy land, there each child was given a wrapped gift. Still following directions to the escalators and going down, near the end of our being in the store, each child received a stocking full of candy!
Back on the Bus, we were singing, and everyone was letting the world know what a wonderful day it was to be an Orphan. Some Orphans had no family and no visits, and an occasion like this – was a real blessing!
For making me feel good — Thank You God Almighty — and bless the Benefactors you sent to Orphans — to make our day!
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Give A Thought?
Today is the 25th. So… little ones, start to settle down and pay attention to what will be coming up and soon? If you do what “children ” are always told to do – – – “You are to be seen – Not to be heard from?” You could learn something and also… be way ahead of your brothers and sisters… surprises are right around the corner?
Not all families celebrate “Christmas” the same? Some families know that on the 25th of December… we do prepare for the “Baby Jesus” to be born!
Usually… when a new baby will be coming, to a “Family” – everyone related and friends – bring… to the “New Baby” a “Gift” – just to show that you want to “Welcome and get to know this new addition to the FAMILY the … New Child!”
We have a gift for everybody and anybody, those we can not send a gift to, we send money, so that no one is forgotten? And, everything we sent is really something they already have and do not want or need . Does anyone think about the “Celebration and the Reason?” “THE real WHY of this OCCASION?”
So, children – step up and ask your family for what you want most! ” Share more time together “Love” every minute being “Together!” – – And Always to be together… forever!”
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Now or Never?
This is definitely the time to “pull out all stops” – It is the appointed time to use all that “Good Stuff” – you have been saving for just the “Right Occasion.”
As a small child, I would love when my mother would open up her ceder Lane chest. The first delicious memory was the wonderful smell of ceder. Next, she would very carefully take items out and we would look at each and match the set together and find similar items to be used for this or whatever occasion we were preparing for?
Mom would comment om some items, as – “this was her Mother’s – and someday all these linens will be yours!” It was easy for me to dream of the way I would place and arrange, all of Mom’s gifts to me! There were beautiful items made with hundreds o f French-knots, embroidery items with silky threads, crochet doilies, table center pieces, crochet arm rest covers – crochet items to throw over the sofa, and lots of other materials and useful hand-made items.
With all “Works of Art” – now is the time – to use – for which they were made! When on display – you can give your guests the “Grand Tour” – bragging on all the “Ancestors” who made and handed down to you – and, who will be the next “Generation to reap the rewards!”
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