My earliest memory of Christmas was the days shared with my mother and fellow siblings at my grandmothers home in St.Louis. As a little boy I did not realize how modest her home was it was not as large as many of the homes in today's suburban communities , but it was large enough to entertain each of her 7 grandchildren; from the Amway merchandise filled basement, to the upstairs small 3 bed rooms.
The living room was always the most exciting place in the home it was where the Christmas tree and fireplace would bring the family together before the Christmas feast and after.
My older sisters and oldest brother would assist in setting up the dining room for the Christmas dinner while my mother , grandmother and on some occasions my aunt would be putting the last minute touches on the meal.
My older brother and I were close enough in age to enjoy the same toys but it was not a long time of play for me, because I enjoyed hanging out in the kitchen or bugging my oldest brother for a comic book drawing.
The most exciting moment was when my father would come through the door with a gift or two for both my brother and I. He would sit and talk with my grandfather and uncle as the room would smell of iced spirits and cigar.
My grandfather was the envy of all of the youngest boys in the household, because he owned two items we coveted most, his beige recliner and the old zenith three button color television remote control.
To most adults the recliner was just a nice relaxing chair, but to a young boy of the mid to late sixties it was an Apollo rocket ship or Captain Kirk's commanders chair, and the remote control was our phaser... Oh the fun we would have... until our grandfather was ready to take control of the bridge.
looking back on those perceived innocent days of my youth, I am reminded of how little it took to keep us entertained, we enjoyed each others company, and even during the rough times we managed to find some redeeming value in how we coexisted with each other. My siblings and I were the off springs of a broken home, yet in spite of what some would judged negatively, on Christmas.. none of that mattered.
We may not have been the Osmond's or the Walton's yet today , after seven grandchildren , twelve great grand children, and ten great great grand children our family continues to grow, and most importantly we did.. (and do) share the same precious gift with both of the before mentioned famous families which is... the gift of Love.
Merry Christmas
K Gerard Thomas
