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Christmas Past












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I think Frederick (and Mother, Marie) would be pleased to see the house today, especially when I present my bi-annual Christmas Extravaganza.  But even in the off-season visitors discover that I live with some Christmas all year long.  And so that story goes back to my childhood……

 

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I grew up on the extreme western edge of Nebraska on 240 acres of rattlesnake-infested prairie five miles outside of Bushnell (population about 200).  I was an only child and very close to my Grandmother.  To keep busy, I got involved in gardening, crafts and piano.  And anything related to Christmas. 

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At age five, 1960, with HIM in downtown Bushnell

I honestly cannot explain WHY Christmas.  It just “is.”  One favorite Christmas Eve memory when I was seven involved my Dad hollering for me to come out to the front porch.  To my delight I discovered a pile of wrapped packages and footsteps in the snow leading off into the darkness.  Dad had me convinced that had I only been a minute earlier I could have seen Santa!  Of course, I’ve never stopped believing and Christmas Eve continues to be my favorite night of the year.

 

Our celebrations were simple, dictated by my parents’ very limited finances but enhanced by my innocent exuberance.  When I was little, Christmas was experienced for a brief three weeks and disappeared on New Year’s Day.  The box of Christmas decorations was returned to storage and I would occasionally sneak peaks throughout the year, wishing that someday I could have my treasures displayed all year long.  (Oh, be careful what you wish for…..and always believe!)

 

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We were extremely secluded from the outside world until 1970 when Interstate 80 was constructed just north of our property and house.  Our privacy was gone, but our house (the only one for a stretch of 23 miles) became my Christmas canvas for all passersby!  I constructed a large wooden Nativity for one corner and Santa’s team at the other; angels were on the roof while blinking bells and candy canes lined the drive; and the house was entirely framed in lights.  My parents got so caught up in the decorating (and compliments!) that they had extra outside outlets installed.  It was thrilling to see cars stopped on I-80 and to have truckers blow their air horns in appreciation while passing by in the lonely stretch of darkness. 

 

Then along came growing up and much of my decorating momentum was put on hold.  After I graduated high school, my parents sold the property and moved to town.  I ventured to Chicago to celebrate my 21st birthday, became obsessed with the city and returned nine months later to make it my home.  Decorating was scaled back based on apartment spaces, but my passion for Christmas never faltered and my small collection of lights and decorations continued to grow.  And then I bought the house……

 

(Continue to Page 3 via the link above labeled Christmas Present)