About 15 years ago, I remember sitting in my office pondering. It was about this time of year and because I am a dreamer, because I love to reminisce about special things that has transpired in my six decades of life, so I allowed my mind to drift back to the Christmas season of 1969. Back to my childhood, back to a road that I fondly remember. Back to a place so special to me. I love to be drawn back to this magical time, so I wrote the following:

Cold, brown, bleak…dampness

The smell of wet leaves, wood smoke, coal soot

Trees…the bare branches moving in the cool air

Frost on the windows…behind the windows soft lights from lamps on end tables

Warmth from a gas stove…warm socks on wood floors…a ten year old’s dream

Wonderful smells wafting from the kitchen…iron beds…mattresses to soft…wardrobes with secret drawers.

A pocket knife, colored lights on a fresh cut cedar that does not fit well in the stand…

simple ornaments, each one having a specific and special meaning…conjuring thoughts of Christmas’ past

The here and now…grand children…children…family and friends, a season of joy, a season of hope!

A love for God and a love for people…memories that transport you back to a place and a season…

Christmastime on Bearwallow…

These memories are still very clear in my mind, I will never forget that enchanting place.