Wesolych Swiat!

I would like to preface this by saying that the post you will find below was supposed to be posted on Christmas Eve. It was written by Gram, and surely brought tears to my eyes. But, with 10 days to go until Christmas, I felt it was necessary to post this tonight. I enjoy the attention from all over that our blog has received. But, what I enjoy more is the fact that we all are doing this together. That's scary, I sounded like Gram there for a minute. Of course the blog will stay afloat after Christmas. We have many important celebrations coming up. I also encourage my family to think of the blog administrator during the holidays. During this time the paperboy gets a tip, the mailman gets chocolate, your hairdresser gets a candle; well the blog administrator also falls into those categories. I can not wait to see everyone on Christmas. I am sure there will be plenty of laughs, drinking, maybe a few tears; and Grandpa in his glory. Well here we go. This was written by Gram.




"Here I am Nancy Holtz (if we didn't know) double eight in age and body, double three in mind and spirit (until I look in a mirror then everything is eight). Orders have come from B.J. (Boss Jenna, some of you people have dirty minds) to write another Blog. You'd think she'd have more respect for my age and frail condition.

She wishes me to write about my favorite Christmas. Now that's a hard question to answer. Memory will have to take me back to 1941, when I married my lovely Charles and into the Holtz family. That was when I really learned how Christmas should be celebrated. My mother- in- law was called Mama by all her family and she had five children plus sisters and brothers and was a widow who worked hard to keep her large family together. This was my first experience with a large group of men and women who were quite proficient and witty and clever quips at the dinner table. The table was long and the ladies all brought dishes of food while the turkey, dressing, potatoes, and gravy was up to Mama. The only silence at this meal, was when Grace was said. Then it was every man for himself. The laughter was catching and I loved it and was amazed by it too.

In 1942, 43,and 44 the meals were a little more subdued and the Grace saying was longer for our two boys that were overseas in World War II. The table was still long and the quips kept coming. In 1945 the atmosphere was all aglow. The boys were back home! I was so lucky I had my husband back; bruised and battered but all in one piece. Even better he had a two year old son to welcome him home. He hadn't seen Chuckie since he was two months old.

Everyone came to the homestead on Grove as usual and after the festivities we went home to our little home on Payne Avenue and our real Christmas tree. We put "our" little Chuck to bed and then set up a train set for him, so he could see it in the morning. We had one problem. The train refused to go forward no matter what we did. It was a riot. It only went backwards. Grandpa changed the batteries, moved the tracks, even put the trains in the other direction. Nothing would get it to go the other way. He was up all night trying to fix it, so it would be perfect. I think Chuck still has that train set.

Each Christmas was wonderful until 1960. Mama had a heart attack and passed away. Mama had taught me well; cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, knitting. Everything I learned, I learned from Mama.

Grandpa and I decided to buy the homestead and kept the traditions going. The family kept growing, some dropped out for their own traditions but the quips kept on coming. Love and laughter reigned until 1984 when we sold the Grove street house because pop decided he wanted to live in the country. This meant that we would drive into the city and I was just dethroned. Daughter Sue took over Thanksgiving and daughter Betsy took over Christmas. Each Christmas seemed to get better and better. After a few years, the parties were switched. Sue and Gary wanted to visit their son in North Carolina for Thanksgiving, and celebrate Christmas on Nash Road. This is the way our tradition stands now.

Pop and I were overwhelmed with the competition in the whole bunch, laughter was the best thing on the menu. We just sat back and enjoyed the fun; beaming at each successful quip and brilliant saying. You have all inherited your father and grandfather's sense of humor; thank goodness; which he had inherited from his Irish mother, who came from County Cork, Ireland in 1902.

Even though his voice is silent now, I can still hear him whisper to me. Boy, mom did we ever create a motley group. I always answer; yes dear, we certainly did; aren't they so wonderful? Thank you to everyone who has taken such great care of me since he has passed away. I know he will be watching us on Christmas with his red hair and blue eyes; smiling at us, whispering to us all.

I am looking forward to Next Sunday at Sue's with MY oyster dressing and polish sausage to hear the love and laughter again as the whole gang is together. So tell me, how can I pick a favorite Christmas when they ALL are so very wonderful and special to me? Isn't it what its' all about, "Love, Laughter, and Friendship." Oops, the food is great too!

So, I hope that you will all join me in being grateful for all that has been given to us. I love you all just as much as Grandpa did. He was so proud of each and everyone of you and thankful for the time he spent with you".

Signing off,
The most grateful mother, gram and gg in the whole wide world.