Christmas – Then and Now! | Grandma’s Stories

Dec 29th 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 miss out – so today you are – – trapped – – in front of the TV – but it was fun for us – – back when you only had radio – as you were free to do other things – and never missed out on anything important in the story or 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!!!