Christmas at Home

Oh My!

     Christmas at the house with the seven kids on 221 Thompson Ave. in Louisville, Ky. was something to behold each year.  The only time the children actually got new things and frivolous things, even if only 1 or 2 a piece , was that time of year.  The mother kept up with the tradition of putting a Christmas tree up ( which the father made sure of so the neighbors and relatives would think things were ok inside the house) each year.  The father had a habit through the years of wrapping bricks and putting them under the tree and taunting the children with it.  Demanding the children unwrap them and laughing.  He also made their stockings fruit and nuts because that's what he  got plus coal. 

      The children really wanted to believe in Santa.  To think there was a jolly old man that would bestow gifts among children and be so kind (unlike the father).  

     They woke up bright and early and saw in little piles that there would be a pair of socks and a pair of pajamas, a toy and some candy.  Each child was so ecstatic!  It  was so great that someone would bring them something!  It was so delightful. Thier dad would try to guilt them out of their candy and some would give in and give it to him, being afraid of him.  

    All and all they were sort of happy and they got to eat a good meal that the mom would prepare.  It was a better day than usual and they were thankful.  It was a special day for the children........