Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Day 182 ~ Once Upon A Christmas

Ocean Fron Walk, Santa Monica, CA  cica 1970
courtesy of Bing images
I remember being around eleven or twelve, at Christmas time.  Los Angeles in the early seventies was such a charming city.  Although a little, for lack of better words, run down.  The Hollywood of the 70's, was not the Hollywood of glam of the 40's, 50's and 60's, let alone the Hollywood of late...  and Santa Monica, well it most certainly was not the Santa Monica of today.  Everything was simple, compared to today at least.  It wasn't so... Hollywood.  It just wasn't like it is today.  Let's leave it at that.


Back then... are you sitting? ... well they actually did not put out Christmas decorations, lights, let alone have Christmas sales until the day AFTER Thanksgiving.  The official start of the Christmas shopping season.  

Familiar sight to most Los Angelenos who travel into
Beverly Hills, Ca during Christmas time
I do not recall many Christmases from when I was a child, except for maybe three of them.  When I was about 6 or so, 10 and this one.  One thing my father did do for us, as children, was Christmas.  He'd put lights up on the house, a small tree to start with, and every year we would drive through Beverly Hills to see the lights and the "real" reindeer.  


One of the local department stores in Beverly Hills had reindeer in their cages, on the roof top of the store, along with a sleigh.  I think it was in the eighties that I last saw them there, if not the late seventies.  I wonder if the store, along with the city of Beverly Hills still do it (probably not,) or if People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETAwould allow it?  (Probably not.)  

courtesy of Bing images
I remember that my father would go as far as having us write letters to Santa, make cookies, leave them out for Santa, as well as leave carrots out for the reindeer.  Christmas morning he would go as far as making hoof prints from the patio door (we did not have a fireplace at the time) to the dining room table, where the milk, cookies and carrots were left. 

So today, I try to make every day special for my children, not just Christmas.  I wish for  Calley to have wonderful childhood memories.


On another note... just wanted to point out the day, 182... and how many days are left... 183.  This is as half way as I can get!!  WOW!!  I must say it is bittersweet.  I can't believe  that I more or less have six months left.  WOW!  Sorry to come across at a loss for words, but this has been an awesome six months that really has me somewhat in disbelief and more motivated than I have ever been!


Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace.  God is awake.   ~ Victor Hugo 

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today.  I can choose which it shall be.  Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet.  I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.    ~ Groucho Marx.



Blessings to all!!


183 days / 26 weeks to go...


All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam and are true accounts of her life. Some names may be changed to protect the innocent.



5 comments:

Unknown said...

I loved this post!! I just did a post recently about how my parents made a big deal out of Christmas going so far as to have my dad dress up as Santa each year. I love that your dad did hoof prints, my parents threw pebbles on the roof! Great to find your blog on voiceBoks! I'm now happily following you and I liked your FB page! Great to get to know you!!

Mom of 7 said...

This is such a great idea to blog everyday. What a legacy you are leaving by documenting things everyday. I loved when things were simple and not so commercialized. There was actually a Thanksgiving not over run by Christmas decorations. Then Christmas had it's own special time. Thanks for your thoughts.

Crazy Life of a Writing Mom said...

What a wonderful post. You make those memories sound so very magical :)

Im A Silly Mami said...

Such wonderful memories. we didn't have any of that growing up-they didnt really know to do that stuff but I am def doing it with my daughter. She's only two but we are starting our own traditions and incorporating the standard ones as well. So much fun. I love your template theme. Stopping my from vB Member to remember

www.imasillymami.com

MumLee said...

This is indeed a lovely post. Such memories will never die, right?