My Christmas Memory

Nathan,

What a wonderful story.  Your mother was incredibly resourceful.  We love the tube socks story, heck they were useful!  A

Nathan it is amazing how you guys managed and survived, I have some stories of being up and down on the food chain and it is amazing what our mothers would do to take care of the family....Endre

Hi Nathan, I totally enjoyed reading your story about your favorite memories for Christmas. Staying together and Being together as a family, especially after the lost of a father at such a young age, was bery meaningful and joyous for you. I know you'll always cherish your Mom's courage and resourcefulness, and growing up with your other siblings.

Great Story!    It's always so humbling to remember where we came from.  My mom was a single mom raising 5 kids after her husband passed away, so I can totally relate to your story.   I would help my Mom wrap my brothers and sisters presents which were usually the same type of presents you referenced.  Sometimes, she would surprise us with books or those lifesaver candy books!

Hi Nathan Gesner   I can relate to your Grandpa.  They probably did a bit more than you realized on the back side.  What a great ongoing story to share with your family every year.  Thank you for sharing and for being able to withstand a tough childhood!!

Wow...that is a wild story.  Yeah...sounds like your grandpa was not into grandkids. I wonder what happened and where along the way for him to be like that?  Sorry to hear your story.

My one grandpa was a really nice guy but I was not real close to him although my sister was. He always treated us nice though and we always had nice gifts and he left us each a nice inheritance. He died unexpectedly when I was 15. 

My other grandpa was gone a lot and always treated me nice but grandkids were not a major focus of his life.  He preferred to go hunting and fishing and camping where there were no kids. I went on a trip with him to Oregon to see some distant family when I was 18 and I could tell the whole trip that he had an alcohol problem and was a terrible driver.  We were never any closer after that and then he died when I was 21 due to cirrhosis. 

So I guess grandpas are not a big deal in either of our lives. If I ever have grandkids...that will change for sure! We will be involved as much as possible in their lives!

Nathan Gesner Your story touched my heart. Kudos to your mom for all she did to keep the family together after your father died.

Merry Christmas.

My dad dies at 86 and I would have given every penny I had for ten more years. I can't imagine losing him at 6. 

Love your Blog Nathan Gesner, and reading what your life was like growing up in your family - your Mom did so much with a little, and I'm sorry to read that you lost your Dad so young.  Thank you for sharing, and I enjoyed seeing your pictures - gotta love those practical tube socks!!  I'm so glad you are on AR, as your Q & A's and Blogs are very interesting to read . . .  

Hello Nathan Gesner,  Thanks for sharing with us here in the rain.  I need to write mine yet.

Your mom must have worked her butt off to give you those family memories. Having the extra room in the mobile home must have felt amazing after being crammed in a trailer. And socks are always a good gift!

That is so heartwarming. Your Mom was one tough lady.  Having to raise 4 kids on her own and sticking with it through thick and thin is admirable.  I've raised one one my own, just one, and it was not easy.  Emotionally it takes a toll.  Good for you for making light of the experience and remembering the good times!  Merry Christmas!

Wow, Nathan! What an interesting story! It sure seems like your mother did a great job with her kids in the absence of your dad. What a gift for the family…a new home!

So sad that your dad died when you were so young. My father was only six when his dad died too. It breaks my heart everytime I think of it. 

First, I'm sorry to hear that your Dad died at such an early age but, how lucky were you to have such an amazing Mom, Nathan! I love your stories and the first thing I noticed when I clicked on your post were the tube socks - oh how I remember those! I think we always got those in our stockings - unwrapped as well! 

And, good of your grandpa to keep the tradition going even after you found your way 'home' that year! 

Nathan Gesner - Celebrating the holidays when a parent or spouse passes away is very difficult. I was lucky enough to have my parents while being a kid but most of the children in my neighborhood did not. For that reason, my parents kept the holiday simple, it wasn't an event to boast about especially to the people closest to us, which were the neighbors. Plus, we had family members that were in the same boat like you.

As a young mother, my spouse died and my children can certainly relate to your post and I could too. We didn't have money and just because a parent dies, doesn't mean there was some type of life insurance to provide for the family. It certainly wasn't true for me or my relatives either.

If it helps, no kid that I know says, when I grew up wanted to get married, have kids, and die quickly. As for me, I never remarried and it was tough for so many reasons, i.e., kids graduations, their own weddings, education, putting food on the table, and life events that are cause for celebration. My children were my immediate family and we didn't celebrate holidays like other people. 

As far as contests here on AR goes, some are easier for me to participate than others, especially when they are personal. Sharing personal stories or memories drops me into a rabbit hole. I choke, espeically for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Because of the AR points, and reading other stories, I always manage to write something but it still hurts even though, it was my choice to participate, for me, it reminds me of pain, sorrow, and things I don't want to share on AR. But I do it anyways....

I am sure members like Kathy Streib doesn't want anyone to feel this way but unless one walks in another person's shoes, it is very hard for me to do. In the professional world, it's not something we are proud of and even just trying to write about a "favorite memory," is hard because every good memory that may have existed cancels out except the loss of a loved one. 

Unfortunately, I get sucked up into trying to earn points. I really don't  think people who didn't have this type of experience understands how hard it is to chose and pick anything "favorite," especially when it comes to holiday. 

On a personal note, I enjoy connecting with you here on AR. I find you to be a professional. It would be an honor to refer business to you someday. I wish you happiness here as an AR blogger.