[Ohio-talk] My Christmas Story

[Wanda Sloan]

I have had my Mom for 69 years and this is the first year without her.  So,
I decided to write this and share it.

Wan

 

My Christmas Story

By W. M. Sloan

 

March 31, 1968, at the age of 46, my father, Richard Sloan succumbed to
Non-Hoskins Lymphoma.  On April 4th we funeralized him. 

It was a devastating day, the same day the Dr. Martin Luther King was
killed.  As we sat in the funeral home car the news bulletin announced over
the radio. About Dr. King's killing. As the days went on, my older brother,
Hartzell, a communication engineer for A.T.T., received a Hardship Discharge
and was sent home from Vietnam.

The Red Cross assisted in getting him home in time for his Dad's funeral and
we  were happy that he did not have to return.

The Sloan's life, minus one member surged on.  My Mother went to work at
Standard Register as a P.B.X. Operator, older brother, Hartzell returned to
A.T.T., I worked at a local medical center and attended nursing school and
my younger brother Roland, was still in high school.

Before my Father's passing, his talent in Construction Trades, came in handy
when he build a 25 ft. picnic. Table for our social gatherings in our wooded
area   where we would grill food for our neighbors and family friends.
And, he also had a record collection of over 300 albums of the jazz greats,
Count Basie, Benny Goodman Quincy Jones, and Ramsey Lewis and so on.  My Dad
loved to have a good time and after his demise, having a good time didn't
stop with his family.

 

As Christmas time began to approach my brothers and I noticed my mother
disposition changing.  Mom seemed depressed. This was   Christmas Eve, we
still did not have a tree because we counted on my mother supplying it like
my Dad did and this particular time, it just was not happening Just then, I
grabbed up my car keys and told my family I will be back soon.  I taken off
in my car and went to a nearby grocery store.  As I drove up to the
building, I found many Pine Trees unattended leaning up against the
building.  So, I chose one that I liked, placed into the back seat.  I
presented the price tag to the customer service desk.  I told the
representative that I wanted to pay for a tree and he said no, Merry
Christmas.  With a big smile, I thanked him and and also wish him a
Christmas greeting.

Within   10 minutes I returned home and honked my car horn and pulled out
the tree.  As I entered the house the boys ran down the basement stairs and
returned with the tree decorations.  My Mother's disposition changed with a
big smile and hug from her.  We all became busy with decorating and I just
said Dad is here with us because this is just what he would have wanted for
us to do.   The Spirit

Of Christmas celebration is the love that our Holey Father wants us to feel
and share.  May each and every one of you have a very joyest and fulfilling
holiday season.