"Jim And Tom..."

Christmas, 1956

It was at this time that I was attending kindergarten at Immanuel Baptist... my little brother, Tom, wasn't 'old' enough to go to kindergarten, but he so wanted to go.  The ladies who ran the school said it was ok for him to come with me.

The ladies who ran this kindergarten were Mrs. Elsie Drane and Mrs. Eckles.   I thought they were the two sweetest ladies ever.

Our class was to be a part of the Christmas Parade that year...

Tom was so ill that week... that day. I can't remember if it was Dr. Wiggins who made the house call that day, or if it was Dr. Ringold... but he told Mom that Tom would be ok... just to 'bundle him up'...  We were told to 'smile and wave'... Tom was feeling so ill.

Due to being part of a very dysfunctional family, I don't have too many photos of my early Life...  but the one above is one of the most precious that I have. When I think of Christmas, this is the image of myself and my brother that comes to mind.

"Silent Night..."

Christmases are special... they should be special.  The most wonderful Christmases were when I was a little boy... the second most wonderful were when my children were little...

It's a great deal like the jungle bell in 'The Polar Express'...

The bell would stop ringing when one no longer believed...

I had a time when I didn't hear the bell... but I have continued to hear it ring even after my little ones grew up into young adults.  My Mom and Dad worked hard to make Christmas a magical time for us... I think I owe it to my parents to not let those emotions and feelings go away...

Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad...

Merry Christmas to all of my friends...

~shoes~