When growing up my dad was laid off work in the winter as he was in the Concrete Construction business for himself. During the summer he worked and saved what he could, but in winter he did not have work and the food we ate came from the cattle/pigs we raised and the garden we grew and canned for the winter months.
Christmas for the most part was a time without a lot of material things but what it lacked in material things it surpassed in time spent with family. We had very few “toys” but what I remember is the boxes of fresh fruit and nuts around the tree Christmas morning and the countless board games we played and Christmas specials we watched on TV.
I know at that time I didn’t appreciate the time we spent together nearly as much as I do now. I can only hope that my kids and grandkids will remember at this time the true meaning of Christmas and seek the love more than the things this season can bring. Although dad worked long hours in the summer and our family had our arguments like any family, Christmas was special and family made it that way… not the gifts.