Christmas traditions
To the Editor:
In the spirit of the Christmas season, most of us enjoy being close to family. As a child, I impatiently waited for the week of Christmas. I knew that I would undoubtedly get to see all of my cousins. Some of them even traveled from California! A whole world away! The blessing to us, the children, was that our parents knew the value of family. It did not matter how far they had to drive, what the weather was like or even who else was going to be there — they came.
The value of family was a lesson that "the cousins" all learned easily. We look back fondly on the days of our youth. We remember trying to stay up late on Christmas night and convincing the young ones that, "We saw Santa!"
We played in the barn, jumping from hay bales! (Even though Grandma told us to stay out of the barn.) We made secret passageways around the farm, and secret pacts in our hearts. We would always be family and always be together.
This year, I was thrilled to have some of my cousins come to my home in Peabody. Rustin and Joy Jenkinson drove all the way from Dallas, Texas, with their children, Corbin and Ruby. It usually doesn't snow in Dallas, so Peabody gave them a special treat!
Joy was the first one up and out of bed Saturday morning. She was dressed and in the snow before her first cup of coffee!
Later that day we drove to Cherokee, Okla., — in the snow — to our grandma's home. We were greeted by 35 aunts, uncles, and cousins from all over the country. We had a wonderful day talking with each other about what has happened over the past year. Each family had a unique story to tell. We all sat and listened to the stories with great interest.
All of the kids loved their hugs from Grandmas as she told them they were "getting so big!" We even played football (my team won!) in an empty lot across the street. When it was time to depart we made our promise to get together next year!
As a family, we point out each other's flaws, yet we love each other anyway. It teaches us to love unconditionally. I am blessed that our family will carry on the tradition of love and acceptance.
I look forward to the Christmas season even more than I did as a child. Some things only get better. As I look at the next generation, I hope they will continue our traditions and leave their children our legacy.
Rachelle Pohlman
Peabody
