“CHRISTMAS NOW and Then” | Grandma’s Stories

Dec 18th “CHRISTMAS NOW and Then”

Thought that I had heard something – maybe the doorbell – but, and since I was down stairs – and no extra rings nor any other noises – just went on with what I was doing – here at the keyboard.

Just like everyone else, today – had to check for messages – any important ones – and see what if any thing, that I had to do – in case I forgot all that I had planned for today or as sometimes, one can forget – something important – and not even realize it – till it is entirely too late!

Maybe twenty minutes later – when I was upstairs – just thought I would check to see if the “MAIL-MAN” had been around – opened the door – and what a surprise – just with in two feet of opening the door – a package of hand cut fresh flowers – no name on package – nor a for or a from – no other mail – so into the house I go in complete confusement, if ever – WHO and or WHAT day is it for a “FLOWER” delivery to me? WHO am I suppose to THANK – a real mystery?

“So Christmas – Then and Now!”

Back then, when we (kids) were little – in the 1940s – my Dad had to go to California to do “welding work” on the ships – and we , that is my Mother would write letters – and also enclose my “chicken-scratch” letters to DADDY and one of the important parts of the day – was waiting for the “MAIL-MAN” to bring something from DADDY!

Maybe there were fewer people living in the greater Saint Louis area – and of course there was no TV – we only had the radio and usually if a couple of the families had the same radio station turned on at the same time – you could be out-side and hear the program – and now thinking about listening to the radio then – you could mentally see what was going on – and still be able to do whatever you have to do! But today, with TV – you have to get yourself – right in front of the TV – so that you can “know” what is going on. You have to see “IT” – just listening you will miss out – so today you are – trapped – in front of the TV – but, it was fun for us – back, when you only had the radio – as you were free to do other things – and never missed out on anything important in the story or the program – something that I feel – people living now and today – are locking their selves into another world?

I remember having so much fun – just watching for the “Mail-Man” – when I was a little girl – because the “Mail-Man” came two (2) times a day! Something that we do not have today – and if you were to get your letter in the “MAIL BOX” by nine (9:00 p.m.) in the evening – that piece of mail was delivered the next day! Maybe because of the WAR going on and the mail had to be moving – so that everybody would know as soon as possible – what was happening in the world ! Even as fast as the mail was received – there were a good many times that my DAD would send a “Telegram” to us. My Daddy was always sending some little special things – just for me – and that is how I remember him – sending some of his-self – “sending little bits of LOVE – to me in the mail!”

During the WWII years – those young boys riding on the bicycles – delivering telegrams – usually were bringing “BAD NEWS” – and I know that when the young man would be ringing your door-bell – your heart would just sink – especially if you had a family member enlisted in one of the different branches of service! My DAD used the “Telegram Services” because being in California – a letter would take a couple of days – but, if you paid a few pennies more you could send your letter “AIR-Mail” and then for a few more pennies you could have that letter deliver with “Special Delivery” – so you were able to be in touch for pennies back then – and so fast was the service! – Remember that was yesterday – today it is different, and I am not a little girl – waiting to hear from my Daddy!!!

“Today I received a wonderful surprise of fresh flowers – for no special reason – and from someone I do not know – so to “YOU” – special person – “THANK YOU” – from me and everyone on our block – that I have checked with!”