Carmen’s Fourth Christmas – 1912

Once upon a time there lived in the little village of Saranac, New York a dear little girl named Carmen whose papa and mama were very poor but happy as Christmas time drew near.

Carmen talked of Santa Claus and wondered if he would visit her. She had a dear good Auntie who was always thoughtful for her comfort and did many things for her that her mamma was unable to do because she was an invalid.

So when Auntie made her presents, she gave nice big gingham aprons or dresses, or stockings which made mama’s heart glad, for she knew they were the very things her girlie needed.

A short time before Christmas papa hired a pony and carriage and took Carmen and went to the stores to do their Saturday shopping. In one store, where they went, were beautiful dollies of all kinds and many pretty toys. Carmen selected a little cradle, a little white high chair for dollie and a cute little dollie in pink dress and bonnet. Mama got her candy also and some necessary articles of clothing.

Now these things were meant for her Christmas gifts but she had them so long before time that she forgot they were Christmas gifts.

One day a letter came from dear Auntie saying a box was on the way full of Christmas cheer – and when it was opened, the dear baby was delighted with the nice new aprons, bibs, slippers, etc. But she knew they were from Auntie – not Santa and her toys she knew were from papa and mama. And when anyone asked her what Santa brought her, she would say, “He didn’t bring me neny sing.” This made mama feel badly for she couldn’t do any more for her baby but would tell her that she had been well rewarded by others – but still she could not forget that Santa had forgotten her.

As mama was setting the table for tea on Christmas night, she took down a small glass dish for pickles – one she had not used for a long time and Carmen had forgotten she had. So she asked where it came from. Mama told her she found it one time in her stocking on Christmas morning. “Well, couldn’t I hang up my stocking?” asked Carmen. “It is too late my dear,” said Mama. Santa filled stockings last night. “Well… but maybe he would remember that he forgot me and will come tonight,” said Carmen. Mama told her to run along and not bother her – for she was nervous and sometimes a little cross, and Carmen annoyed her with so many questions.

When bedtime came, she got ready for bed and mama told her she might get into her own bed down stairs till papa went up – then she wouldn’t be up there all alone. No one noticed her undressing but a long time after she was asleep papa said, “I guess I’ll shave.”

He got things ready and as the fire was low, he went out to get wood – so thought he would prepare the kindling for the morning fire at the same time. While he was out, Mama happened to notice that on one the two posts of a chair were hung two little stockings – all baggy at the knee where some little girl had romped and played, and a tiny hole, which the garter made at the top.

The big tears started in mama’s eyes and a big stinging in her nose made more big tears. When papa came in she said, “Look! What faith the child has.” Papa’s eyes were a little misty too. He said, “Haven’t you any thing you could put in there?” But she had nothing that Carmen had not seen.

Money was scarce – for the farmers papa chopped wood for did not always have ready money to pay him. But by hunting around, they scared up forty cents and papa said, “I’ll not shave but will hurry down and the drug store will likely be open and I may be able to get something.” It was nine o’clock then – and it being Christmas – the drug store was closed but he found another store open and so did the best he could there.

He got mixed candy and peanuts, oranges and 2 picture books. Mama had some net candy bags, which she filled with candy and put in then the nuts and lastly the books rolled up and sticking out of the top.

When papa got ready for bed he picked Carmen up and carried her up the stairs and when she got up there she awoke and began to ask if he left the door unlocked for Santa, and if he left a light on for him, etc. She could hardly get to sleep again. She was so excited and mama and papa were glad they had discovered the little stockings.

When morning came papa, came down first to build the fire and Carmen called down, “Daddy! Is there neny sing in my stockings?” Daddy said, “Come and see” and there was a very happy little girl that morning.

She was more pleased with those few things than all the other things she got – for “Santa” had brought them. So mama resolved that next year – what ever came for her, something should be reserved and put in the stocking and it would be of greater value.

These are the facts as they happened on the Christmas of 1912.

Maude Wright

* * *

Postscript: Maude Wright, my grandmother, was not able to directly keep her promise. She died a few months later from the effects of chronic TB.

My adopted mother, Carmen, is the one who actually kept her mother’s vow. Maude Wright mailed this letter to her sister, Carmen’s auntie , who later passed this letter to her. I did not see the letter until a year after after my mother had died on December 7, 1994. It was then, a week before Christmas of 1995, that I understood why my brother and I received a stocking from Santa each Christmas that contained an orange, some nuts, a little left over Halloween candy and a comic book or two. Thanks, Grandma and Merry Christmas to all. Ned Hamson

ESENCIA DE NAVIDAD – Ventana literaria

CHRISTMAS ESSENCE


In this days

a tender smile

with a sincere heart

should take precedence above all,

the simple goes deeper

with the same fragility and softness

of the newborn

without race differences

nor hardness of heart,

delighting in the joy of the truth

and good will.

May these wishes come first

and are the essence of Christmas.


LMML. 

Source: ESENCIA DE NAVIDAD – Ventana literaria

Frieden auf Erden – Segen allem Sein / … Peace on earth – blessing to all that is – Stella, oh, Stella

Elke of the blog „Leben als Mensch“ (living as human being) has written beautiful words for the holiday, which I would like to present to you. She has a translation button on the top right of her page. The heading speaks for itself. I say goodbye for the holidays and will return on 31 December (2023 😉 ).

Source: Frieden auf Erden – Segen allem Sein / … Peace on earth – blessing to all that is – Stella, oh, Stella

Covid: It’s That Bad

Those are the words of Natalie, a Covid survivor who went hiking on her wedding day. Now she spends her life in a darkened bedroom. Meanwhile, a world-class trail runner named Emilia kills herself after a Covid infection leaves her with an unstable heart. Around the world, smart talented young men and women are losing their careers after Covid ravages their organs, their brains, their immune systems. Some of them will recover. Some might benefit from treatment. Many of them will never be the same.

These were musicians, writers, scientists, athletes.

They were the future.

We only have estimates, since our governments refuse to collect or report official data. Based on hundreds of sources, your general risk for Long Covid hovers around 10 percent for both adults and children. That’s the number given by an important study “The Immunology of Long Covid” in Nature Reviews Immunology. They overview the wide range of conditions, ranging from “breathlessness and neurocognitive impairment” to “increased risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and types 1 and 2 diabetes.” As the authors put it, “the oncoming burden of long Covid…is so large as to be unfathomable.” That’s why so many people want to ignore the problem…

Source: Covid: It’s That Bad

ANOTHER DAY… | NANMYKEL.COM

 

 

AS PROMISED, no comment.

 

No one liked this in 2015, so I thought I’d give you another chance.  It occurred in the waiting room between lives:…Then I spy Elvis himself–fat, paunchy and wearing sunglasses. The only trace of fame that adheres to him is the white-spangled costume which was his trademark. I wish he was singing a hymn from one of his albums, but then I realize that there is not much interaction between those who wait.  He is not in an aisle seat , but I lean over and address him. “Mr. Presley?” He looks up nervously, as though he expects an autograph hound, then nods.  You’re headed for a different life and different lessons. Before you’re all gone would you be kind enough to give us the gift of your ‘Amazing Grace’?”  Elvis blinks, obviously surprised, and then looks all around him as though to assess his potential audience. Apparently satisfied, he stands and faces the main portion of the crowd. His voice is richly beautiful as he sings all seven verses of  “Amazing Grace,” as only he can. He sits down when finished and instead of wild applause there was a total, respectful and moved silence, punctuated by quiet sobs…

Source: ANOTHER DAY… | NANMYKEL.COM

Opinion | Howell Raines: The Civil War history they didn’t want you to know – The Washington Post

Alabama farmers who volunteered for the First Alabama Union Cavalry were shaped by its commanders at Corinth, Miss., in 1862. (Grenville M. Dodge Collection/State Historical Society of Iowa)

 

Source: Opinion | Howell Raines: The Civil War history they didn’t want you to know – The Washington Post

Algae as a surprising meat alternative and source of environmentally friendly protein | ScienceDaily… | for much deliberation

A new study has demonstrate that the ingestion of two of the most commercially available algal species are rich in protein which supports muscle remodeling in young healthy adults. Their findings suggest that algae may be an interesting and sustainable alternative to animal-derived protein with respect to maintaining and building muscle… Source: Algae as a surprising meat alternative and source of environmentally friendly protein | ScienceDaily… | for much deliberation