CHRISTMAS YEARS PAST

You might recognize yourself in this photo.   It was taken at Grandma and Grandpa Holman's in Horine, Mo.  Presents were not opened until a picture of the grandkids was taken.  Can you even imagine the fun we had trying to get all of these kids to stand still for all the flashing lights.  Back then it was flash-bulbs.  If it didn't go off then we had to take another.  Every parent had their own camera (not digital either, we just had to take our chances).  The Christmas Story was read by Grandpa, Christmas carols had to be sung, and then the fun began.  I'm surprised we didn't lose a baby or two under all of that paper!   There was always plenty of food, punch and noise! 

There have been a lot of changes over the years, but we'll always remember Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Posted by:  Brenda

GRANDMA RUBY

For those of you who are too young to remember, Grandma Ruby Holman loved dolls. For many years it became a tradition that one of us purchased a doll for her at Christmas time.


All of her dolls were beautiful and had fancy full dresses. Ruby proudly displayed them in her bedroom.


Ruby also loved  red, glitz and glitter.  If it sparkled, she loved it.  If it was red AND sparkled, all the better.


When Sidney and I were first married I had problems understanding Ruby and her fascination with all the sparkles, glitz and glitter since my own mother was just opposite.  As I grew older and learned a little more about her life while she was growing up, I realized  while being raised "dirt poor" that she may have never owned a doll of her own as a child.  She probably never owned a necklace or ring that sparkled.   Most likely she never even owned a beautiful dress or a pair of dressy shoes.   As an adult she was embracing all that she had never possessed before.


I wish I had been given more insight into Ruby's childhood while she was living.  I would have bought her more dolls,  given her gifts of sparkley jewelry, and helped her paint her house red, but it's too late now.  I have no doubt that as she walks the steets of gold in heaven that she runs her fingers along gates made of smooth pearl. I'm sure she stands in awe of the jewels around the throne and often wades in the crystal river.  Most of you picture people in heaven dressed in white robes, but I think God may be making an exception for Ruby.  When we get to heaven she will be easy to find because I'm sure she is dressed in a jewel studded red dress, with red dancing shoes, and she will come running to greet you because you are part of her most prized possession; you are her family.