LITCHFIELD BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA

 I thought I'd share my fondest Christmas memory during my childhood with all. As most of you know, I was born and raised in South Carolina on the oceanfront where snow or ice is very rare to experience. However, one particular year all the children  and adults got to experience it. We were all ecstatic! Let me first start off by telling you about our family Christmas traditions.

We had a rather large picture window that faced the ocean in the living room. It also had panes ( like a cross or a simple "t") which made it look like like 24 small windows. We would use ribbon and hang beautiful shiny, colored ornaments positioned just perfectly centerwise. This task was more difficult than you would imagine simply due to the fact..that all the hanging ornaments had to be precisely placed for the parents satisfaction. Once this was accomplished...it looked absolutely beautiful. Every morning when the sun came up..they would just sparkle. What a marvelous sight!

The next step was to place the tree far enough from this area so that no view of the sand and surf was disturbed. Now we did not use "live" Christmas trees. We had a silver ..place each limb in the correct hole..tree. I think about this today and go uuggghhhhh..a silver tree??? After the tree was put together we had a revolving colored light that changed the color of this silver tree. Green, Red, Blue, and a Gold color. After decorating it with popcorn strings, cranberry strings, and "live" greenery plus the homemade ornaments , and also the natural seashells and starfish, etc. and bows...it was, to us, a thing of BEAUTY. something to gaze at and go...wow....it's Christmas time.

We made up for not having a living tree. Each year my Father and Mother would gather the 3 children and get into the station wagon and go inland to a few plantation areas. Why, you ask? My Father would find fresh mistletoe high in the tree tops and shoot it down!! We would bring it home and of course it would be dispersed throughout our home. Needless to say..a lot of kissing went on. LOL.

The beautifully wrapped presents would be placed under the tree and NO peeking! We had family and friends over for a large dinner get together 3 nights before Christmas day. This was always fun. You know how families can get after a few cocktails. LOL. The meals were always tasty and of course my Mother always baked a German Sweet Chocolate Cake from scratch!! It was my favorite and all the other family members would bring fudge, cookies, and all the other fattening treats. After they would leave , the children ( me and my 2 younger siblings) would get bathed and to bed we went. This was our family tradition.

I recall this one particular year I was asked what I wanted for christmas..my reply was a new Corvette. Yes, you read correctly. You see, my best friend ( an only child) had one already and therefore..I , too, wanted one. My Father smiled at me with his dark brown eyes and said" are you sure"? I answered "yes, Dad". Wish a smirk on his face he answered "alright, Paula..then you shall have one." I just about fainted. LOL. Every three or so months I would ask him if I was still going to get my Red Convertible Corvette for Christmas for which he replied.."yes, have I ever lied to you girls"? No, was my response. I was in hog heaven. I could hardly wait for christmas day. There were stipulations along with this request of mine, though. I had to continue making "A"s on my report card. No problem I thought, I usually do anyway.  Christmas eve was here and I kept my end of the bargain by getting straight "A"s. I was elated! The two younger sisters had an hour earlier bedtime than myself because I was the elder. Well, needless to say..I didn't sleep a wink that night and just kept listening for the younger two to jump up and start Christmas Day. The time had finally come. They were ripping open presents left and right as I stood by and watched. When it was finally my turn I asked all to follow me to the front door . They did. I looked outside  in the driveway...to see an empty piece of concrete. No car. My heart sank! I turned around  with tears in my eyes and said "DAD, you promised". He took a hold of my hand and led me back to the tree. He handed me a box that was wrapped with red shiny paper. He said "open this. I always keep my promises".. I did. Inside the box...much to my surprise was a Matchbox Red Convertible Corvette. He had kept his promise. Now at the time..I was heart-broken..but today, as an adult looking back...I have to laugh. My Father taught us to work hard for what we wanted. To this day..I have that Red Convertible Corvette and it is a reminder..you get what you work hard for and earn. (I was way too young for what I had yearned for .) The other lesson learned was ALWAYS keep your promises.

Merry Christmas DAD.    I miss you terribly but I now know that you are in a much better place. Thank you for all the wisdom you taught me.   I love you, Dad.   

                                     YOUR LOVING DAUGHTER,

                                                       PAULA