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