Rick Patrick
Columnist
As I was growing up, Christmas Eve always held a very special place for me. My mother’s family always did their big Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve. So, in order to stay with that tradition, my family always went to Mama Mae’s house in Greenville during the evening hours of Christmas Eve. We would have a big dinner and then open presents from everyone on that side of the family. Of course, you can see where this would be a particularly fun event for a little boy.
One other event that would make the evening fun would be a personal phone call from none other than Santa himself. As I think back, his voice sounded a little like Mr. Sherrod, but far be it from me to question. He said he was Santa, so I still believe. Of course, Santa knew I would be at Mama Mae’s, because he’s Santa. He has a way of knowing those things.
After the presents were opened and the appropriate “thank you hugs” were dispensed, I would load up in Mama Patrick and Papa’s car and we would head back to our house in Perry. There, Mama Patrick and Papa would stay at our house and they would stay in my room. I don’t know if it was just because it was my room, or if it was the fact that my bedroom was the one closest to the bathroom. Either way, Mama Patrick would always remind me that she was going to be staying in my room. I always loved that and it was probably the only time I would actually want to clean my room.
As it happens with many customs and traditions, over the years, circumstances have forced changes to take place. Both sets of grandparents have gone on to heaven, as have both my parents. I don’t receive phone calls from Santa any longer, however, I have delighted in hearing the response from nieces and nephews when they received their own phone calls from Santa. Christmas Eve has changed, but the memories of those crisp winter evenings that were warmed by not only that unique gas heater that looked just like a real fireplace, but more so by the joy and warmth of hearts that I knew truly loved me. Even over the years and changing traditions, that love remains constant and never changes. That love is the same as it was on that first Silent Night, two thousand years ago, when love came to Earth in the form of a little baby. May you feel that same love in your heart, not only on this Christmas Eve, but every day, here on the Sunny Side. Merry Christmas.