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he great images of 1930’s home life at Christmas were thankfully preserved by the great artist Norman Rockwell. It was as if he suspected that one day it would go away. I have memories similar to the scenes he depicted. Growing up in the 1950’s, the Baby Boomers, which I am a member of, may be the last generation to get close to the Norman Rockwell Christmas that our parents were privy to. I remember the local fruit and vegetable man at the neighbor- hood corner store having live evergreen fir trees for sale the week after Thanksgiving. I remember that same tree getting sprayed snow white on the back porch then set up and covered with tinsel in the living room. I remember boxes of thin glass baubles being brought down from on top of the Armoire to decorate the tree. And there were the colorful chalk figures that were painstakingly unwrapped and staged around the crèche. I remember being sent to bed early on Christmas Eve so Santa could land his reindeer and sled on the roof and bring all the wonderful presents that I had been behaving well all year to earn. I remember not being able to sleep pass 6:am, but having to wait anxiously under the covers until being told it was time to view the wonderful surprises under the beautifully lit tree. I remember pulling forward the other gifts still unopened behind the tree for family and friends coming for dinner later in the day. I remember them following us home from church and having arms laden with packages for all to open together. I remember the men sitting around talking in the backyard, the children trying out new skates and bikes, and the women putting finishing touches to the tasty fantastic traditional meal. Each lady proudly presenting her best Christmas dish or dessert. And a prayer was said by the head of the family before the meal could begin. I remember the dining, kitchen, and card tables being covered with handmade lace crochet tablecloths that were encased between huge sheets of red and green material for atmosphere and thick clear plastic to guard against stains. I remember how carving the turkey and the baked ham was a male rite of passage each year. I remember all the cameras being passed around to capture the annual family portrait around the Christmas tree, everyone T The Most Wonderful Time of the Year . By Lynne Barze’ Author-WriterPoet.net 16 SOUTHERN SENIOR MAGAZINE | Winter 2018 - 2019 • Affordable Cost of Living • Low Taxes • Low Crime Rate • Quality Medical Care • Recreation • Educational & Cultural Opportunities • A Warm, Welcoming Community Come Home PICAYUNE to a place called 1 of Mississippi’s only 20 Certified Retirement Cities