Friday, December 4, 2009

Holiday Childhood Memories for Pink Saturday


Happy Pink Saturday, all! This week is of course, a little bit different in that instead of just sharing pink, we are sharing our cherished memories! I have always loved holidays because our family, albeit small, always gathers to share fun, love, and warmth. I would say one of my most cherished memories from childhood is a collection of events, rather than a single event. I grew up with three older brothers and you might imagine what that was like! Everyone always asks if I was "spoiled" being the only girl of the family. The answer is a resounding NO! In fact, my brothers pretty much treated me like I was another brother, ha! Hmmm... I wonder why I am such a "girly, girl?" Probably a bit of rebellion, he, he!
The two oldest boys were 5 and 3 years older than me and thus we didn't share a lot in common. But my brother Mark is only one year, one month, and 19 days older. Why do I know that, you ask? Because Mark reminded me of that every day for the first 17 years of my life! So funny that seems to stick with me. Being close in age we had a lot in common. We had similar friends and most often attended the same school. Plus, we had two older brothers who picked on us!

Every Christmas Eve my parents hosted a family party for the extended family. It was always a lot of fun with tons of food and gifts to be shared by all! Usually, everyone would leave by midnight and the looooonnnnnnggggg night a head awaited. Surely you remember awaiting Santa's arrival and of the anticipation that would bring. Well of course I couldn't sleep and if I did, it wasn't for long. Jeeeezzzz, why do the parents have to sleep soooooo long?! It's 3 a.m., can't we get up and see what Santa brought?????!!!!! Since my parents insisted on sleeping in until 7 a.m. or so, there were those long hours to fill and so much anxiety ~ "I've been good alllllll year, really! I wonder if Santa remember to bring my Chrissy doll?" (Remember her? The beautiful long red hair that you could lengthen by pulling it through the top of her head? He did bring it by the way. I told you I was good!!!!!). So to fill those long hours, Mark would come across the hall to my bedroom and we would talk and wonder together what Santa was bringing! Year after year it was our special ritual, a secret meeting of sorts that no one else could share! It made the time pass more quickly and I will always remember those special times with Mark!
Here's me ~ circa 1964!
That's Mark ~ circa 1964! What a cutie!




Mark joined the service when he turned 18 and I was a senior in high school. I still remember the morning he left and the immense sadness I felt. He ended up staying in Texas where he was last stationed, married and is raising his family. We have changed and grown as adults, of course. But I still remember Mark on Christmas Eve as the special brother who shared that magical time with me! Thanks for the memories Mark!


Don't forget to visit sweet Beverly over at How Sweet the Sound and all of the other great participants for more Pink Saturday Holiday Memories!


Have a wonderful weekend filled with Holiday joy!

Hugs,

Jacalyn

17 comments:

Char said...

What a great holiday story. You were the only girl and spoiled rotten I would imagine......tell the truth. How lucky to have brothers to share your life with. I have no sisters, but do have a perfect brother. The problem is and always was that he is 7 yrs younger than I....too much time to have anything in common. Thank your brother for serving his country, we owe him, Happy Pink Saturday, Char

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh Sweetie..
Happy Pink Saturday. That is just the sweetest story. Thank you for sharing with me. I am sure Mark has many memories of that same thing.

I bet being the only girl, you were picked on horribly. What a wonderful story. Loved the pictures of you both.

Please stop by and let me share my story with you.

Country hugs...Sherry

♥Mimi♥ said...

On this first Saturday of December ♥Jappy Pink Saturday♥. I was away for a while and sure missed running around the blogs arnd seeing all of the goodies everyone was sharing.

Thanks so much for making my morning so much fun. Hoping that you and those you care about spend a wonderful weekend making memories that will last a lifetime☺

Claudia said...

Such wonderful memories of your brothers and of Mark, especially. Thanks so much for sharing them. Happy Pink Saturday!

Sue McPeak said...

The memories with our sibs are so special, and yours is wonderful! I'm the oldest of five, and I hope my youngers have great memories like yours. Yay! for Mark....a Texas Guy! I bet he loves ya'll's Christmas memories, too. Hope you can stop by CollectInTexas Gal and see the Snow...yep it snowed in Texas...I bet Mark has already told ya! Merry Christmas...Sue

Ginger said...

What a sweet story about you and your brothers special Christmas meetings. Almost brought tears to my eyes. Those were such magical times awaiting Santa!! My parents wouldn't get up either. LOL
Thank you for making me remember some of my own Christmas eve memories.

GINGER

Claudia said...

After 2 older brothers my daughter would often complain-- but now I look at how strong she is and I never fear that she will be taken advantage of by men.

Your story was such fun-- thanks for sharing this Pink Saturday.

If you get a moment I would love for you to stop by and read my Christmas Short Story post.

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥ enjoy the season!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Such a sweet, sweet story! My first cousin and I were close like that. There was a year's difference, and I was the older. We each had older siblings, and we always spent Christmas together. I, too, remember that anticipation.

Love to you...

XO,

Sheila :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, and Happy Pink Saturday!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Unknown said...

What a fabulous story! And mentioning the Chrissie doll brought back memories for me of the year my sister got Chrissie and I got Kerry!

Betty said...

Oh my gosh! You've just brought back a memory for me! I was also the only daughter with four brothers and my brother just younger than me were very close when we were little. We used to do the very same thing on Christmas eve!!
Happy Pink Saturday and thank you for sharing your precious memory!

Mollye said...

Happy Pink Saturday and what a great bro/sister story of memories. Merry Christmas to you and to Mark too! Mollye

Fandango Moon said...

Very sweet, thank you for sharing!
Happy Pink Saturday!

Unknown said...

Happy Pinks, jacalyn! Such a warm and wonderful memory! Love the photos! Thanks for sharing your sweet memory!

Cheers!
Tina

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a lovely holiday memory. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I hope you are having a wonderful day and are looking forward to the holidays ahead.

Nanna said...

Happy Pink Sat. thanks for sharing those sweet & precious memories

Helen

Jeanie said...

I so love this story, the photos, and the graphics you shared. Happy PS.

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