Keep Traditions Alive!
Last weekend we spent the better part of two days hauling out all the Christmas Boxes and setting about the home placing all the Christmassy things here and there. The 6 foot plastic tree, because I am allergic to Pine, the boxes of ornaments and under the tree items. The Manger my father made decades ago out of spare wood, and the various under the tree characters. Under our tree looks like Bethlehem was invaded by rejects from the North Pole and Dickens “A Christmas Carol”. About the only thing missing is the train and that’s because there’s little room to do it right and besides the transformer burnt out a few years ago and I just haven’t replaced it.
Once this annual task was completed and the fake plastic Santa was glowing in the window, we started talking about all the traditions that have been fading in our family. When I was a kid some 4 decades ago,
My mother started baking at Thanksgiving and did not stop until a couple days after my birthday. (December 15th) She made dozens of different cookie types, pies, rolls, fruit cakes, Pumpkin Bread and assorted candies. People came for miles around to make sure they did not miss out on her baking. Years later people still talk about a specific thing they liked and beg her to fire up the oven. Now, In her late 70′s she just doesn’t have the inclination. I do still get my Christmas Mincemeat Pie, but I have to help roll the dough. She doesn’t have the strength she used to muster.
Another great tradition that a lot of people seem to be getting away from is Christmas Cards. Our family was scattered all over the country so many of them used Christmas Cards to catch up on the year’s news.Today, most of them have a computer, so we keep in touch here and there via email. The old latency of the annual report is gone. For the few that don’t have email, we call and catch up. I do still send out a few cards. Mostly to clients and those family members who have never stopped sending me a card, even with email. I have yet to sit down with this year’s stack, but they are on my desk, waiting for my signature. Ho Ho Ho!
I got to thinking…..I really do get a kick out of receiving Christmas Cards. I kind of miss those days when the mailbox was full of greetings from across the country and around the world. So, here’s an offer you can’t refuse…..Anyone who sends me a Christmas Card, will get 3 Genealogy Questions answered for free. Think of it as the Genealogy “Genie” Granting You Three Wishes. You must include an email address in the card.
No, I am not going to sell your email address, I’m just going to keep it on file, so I know who sent a card.
I am planning to expand this web site later to include a Members Area and those who send a card will get the first chance to join for a discounted fee less than what the “public” membership will be.
Send the cards to: Doug Srock
Genealogyland
P.O. Box 4010
Austintown, Ohio 44515
In the card, please give me an idea of what Genealogy topics you want to hear more about.
Spread the word!
Hey! Send a card to a soldier too! I sent one today with a Pennytalk phone card in it and you can too.
Here’s just one of many addresses you can send to:
Any Platoon Soldier
C/O SSG Crowder, Antonio
HHC
2-8 CAV
1st CAV Division
APO AE 09378
There’s no absolute guarantee it will get there before Christmas, but I’m sure they’d get a kick out of it any time. A little touch of home, so far away. It cost me $10 for the phone card and .64 for the stamp. I sent one to someone from my home town. My local newspaper printed a list of names and APO addresses.
There are several groups doing things for soldiers. Find one and pitch in.
Help give those folks in uniform a bit of Christmas Cheer.
Keep Traditions Alive!
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