Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Wistful Wednesday: Christmas Eve 1985

We had a house full of company.  These are all polaroid photos taken with Marvin’s camera.

Christmas 1985  two

Jennifer (10) Janice (Far Guy’s sister), Trica (13), Bethany(3), Marvin and Evelyn (Far Guy’s parents they both would have been 71 that year) This is at our home in North Moorhead.  That rocking chair and footstool were handed down to us by Far Guy’s Grandmother Tracie.  It has since been upholstered and is upstairs.   I still have that 1940’s coffee table but it is in the garage awaiting a new home.  I still have the same crèche and nativity set.  The tree looks like a real one!

Christmas 1985 three

Now Far Guy and Ronald have joined the girls.

Poor Ronald, we gave him and Janice our waterbed to sleep in….they didn’t sleep a wink.

This was the only year that I recall that Far Guy’s family came to our home for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.

Christmas 1985

Now I finally got in the photo!  I cooked a lovely meal…got out the China and the special goblets.    Far Guy used to collect coffee cups…and I used to collect Depression Glass…you can see cups and plates on the plate rail. I served supper after Christmas Eve service at Our Redeemer in Moorhead Minnesota…one of the best church homes we ever had.

Christmas 1985 was a sad Christmas for us.  My Dad had just been diagnosed with Bladder Cancer and we were not certain if he would live or die.  He is a Cancer Survivor for 29 years now…going on 30.   Christmas Day in the afternoon we packed up and went to my parents home at the lake.

I feel very sorry for anyone going through a health crisis during the Christmas Holidays.  I recall the carolers all dressed in their finery singing up and down the hospital halls just before Christmas that year.  I wondered at the time…how can they sing such joyful songs…it all seemed so foreign to me…my emotions were raw….and I was a tad angry.  Of course Christmas is a time for hope and joy…and in retrospect I should have been more hopeful and joyful too because no matter what our Savior was born. 

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20 comments:

Cynthia said...

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, Connie, with more special photos and memories to tuck away.
Hugs, Cynthia

Cathie said...

Merry Christmas to you all. You two are such beautiful people, you deserve to have a great one!

Linda Kay said...

There is always hope for the future. Aren't those old photos of Christmas past fun? Merry Christmas, Connie.

marlu said...

I enjoy seeing the older photos. Merry Christmas!

linda m said...

Love the old photos. Merry Christmas to you and Far Guy!

DJan said...

So glad your dad recovered, Connie. And I too feel for those suffering health crises at any time of the year, but it's especially hard during the dark days of winter. My friend John who had both knees replaced on Monday called me last night. He's hurting but optimistic that things will get better from here on out! I'll go visit him tomorrow (Christmas). :-)

Primitive Stars said...

Morning Connie, i love the pictures, wonderful to see. Christmas wishes to you and yours, Francine.

Nancy said...

Last Christmas, I experienced the hospital scene. I agree it is a tough place to be during the holidays. Thankfully, she is much better this Christmas and life is good.

Have a Blessed Christmas, FarSide and FarGuy!

Karen said...

Merry Christmas to you all. At this moment, I'll be happy today if my mum realizes she HAS a health crisis:(

Intense Guy said...

Merry Christmas 2014!!!!!!!!!!!!

thecrazysheeplady said...

I agree about health crisis big or small this time of year. The holidays are tough enough... Love your old photos. I always wonder as I'm looking at all the details and people why I'm doing that. I mean, seriously, I don't know any of those people or places... I think it's because you care so much about all of it. Not sure what I'm trying to say here...

Unknown said...

So glad your dear Dad has survived so long. How wonderful - what a blessing. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Shirley H.

Henny Penny said...

I love seeing the old pictures. The 1980's sure looked better as far as styles and colors then in the 1970's. :) It must have been a sad time for you 29 years ago in that hospital. So happy your Dad is still with you.

Red said...

I always enjoy the old family photos as they are similar to mine which I don't have. I had a similar Christmas with my Mom but she didn't make it to the next Christmas. I remember her being very upbeat on her last Christmas.

Linda W. said...

Thanks for sharing your old pics. Glad your Dad survived his bout with cancer and is still celebrating Christmas with you.

Sam I Am...... said...

So glad your Dad survived! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Linda Reeder said...

That's a wonderful survival story!
Christmas blessings to you and yours!

L. D. said...

Merry Christmas to you and all of your family. Sickness at this time really is tough to take. We spent a day like this in a emergency room for my wife's dad. It was certainly a different Christmas for us. I hope all those grandkids keep you smiling.

Jacqi Stevens said...

I imagine that could have been a difficult time for you. Aren't you glad we can look back at things in retrospect and realize things were different than what we at first had thought?

Rita said...

So glad your dad has done so well for so long. One never knows what the future holds. Merry Christmas!! :)