Christmas in the Orphanage
Today there may not be as many Orphanages, as there were when I was a kid – there was St .Mary’s Orphanage for girls –St. Joseph Orphanage for bays – and then there was German St. Vincent Orphanage for boys and girls! St. Vincent was the place, my two brothers – Denny and Tommy and me, Mary Ellen – decided we would be together. The year this change in our lives took place was 1945. My mother went to her parish church, Perpetual Help – asking for assistance for a couple of month’s assistance. (My advice to anyone – don’t ask for help – it is not available, nor will you ever receive what you think. In the long run, you will pay a price that will break your heart!)
On the Dec. 20th you will find a photo of the yearly custom of Procession of Baby Jesus brought to the crib scene, with a church service, and some of the children participating. As you can see the children are dressed in their regular play clothes, and what they are really thinking about is the activity that will be taking place when we all go to our class rooms, and what – will Santa bring to all of us “GOOD ORPHANS” – after all we do behave as instructed or we know what “trouble” is.
Marching in our class room, singing “Christmas Carols” around the perimeter – each child looking at their own desk to see or make out just exactly what you will be opening up in a few minutes. The suspense is growing, and as everyone marches – you try to also figure out what your friends are getting – is what they are to receive better that what you will have? Everything is about the same for each child, couple of games, and some small items to play with, also puzzles that not many kids like getting.
One year, Eleanor Faucher, in my class room, and her sister Rosemary Faucher in another class room, each receive a brand new bicycle, their father worked for the downtown bus company.
Another year, I received a “BRIDE DOLL” with real hair, in banana curls, and the whole out-fit custom made just for me! This doll was mine, still in an old “WAC UNIFORM” these were the “WAR YEARS” – with lots of wear and tear from being used in rough play -my Aunt Irene Riley took the old doll to the “DOLL HOSPITAL” to be overhaul, and to use some of her hair she had- when she first had her long hair cut in the 1920s. I was tickled “PINK!”
Christmas morning, each child received the best gingerbread dough cookie in the shape of a large sled – it was a very long lasting cookie and so good. That was breakfast, with cup of milk and apple butter bread. If you were “LUCKY” and your parents would be taking you home for a couple of weeks, you would hurry and get your things ready to leave as soon as they came for you.
Going home to be with your parents as a family should do for Christmas is the best of feelings for kids, just ask me – I know what “Christmas Love” feels like!
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