53 - CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Most Christmas reunions were spent at Uncle Walt’s, Mom’s childhood home. This huge house was the perfect setting for a large, close-knit family to celebrate Christmas together.

After arriving, all of us children would run off to play with the many new toys and gadgets that Uncle Walt had bought; it was like being let loose in a huge toy store. The Weitzenkamps were a large family; sometimes more than fifty of us celebrated Christmas together. Men gathered together in a large room to share farm stories while the women stayed in the kitchen to chat about recipes, their children, and their lives as housewives while preparing a feast for all of us. After the meal had been spread out on a huge table, everyone took a break from their chattering to eat. When we finished our meal, we retired to two large adjoining rooms that allowed us to watch everyone open their Christmas presents. The laughter-filled rooms quieted to a hush as each of us opened our small, but special gift. When I reflect on those special days, I think we would all say the most precious gift was our togetherness. I do so miss the family unity that we had then—time and distance have made togetherness a challenge.

Christmas with the Weitzenkamps taught us the importance of simple pleasures.