Spirit of holidays past
by Robyn Ireland [email protected] · December 23rd, 2019


A group of residents at the Winslow House Care Center, located on Indian Creek Drive, gathered in the dining room on Friday, Dec. 13, to share memories of Christmases past, to sing Christmas songs, and to have morning snacks. Leah Blekeberg, recreational director, led the small group in remembering and sharing the sounds, smells, tastes and activities that had special meaning to them.

Cyndy, who is originally from the Chicago area and grew up with one brother, remembers going to midnight mass, "when it actually was at midnight," she said with a laugh. "Then we'd hurry home for a snack of homemade bread with butter and polish sausages. We got to open one present." After that, the kids went to bed, opening the rest of their gifts on Christmas morning and then were treated to a good breakfast.

Other residents talked about the lights, decorations and nativity scenes they recalled from their childhoods. "We used to go out caroling around the neighborhood and then had hot chocolate," said Judy.

Memories of riding in horse-drawn sleighs and catching snowflakes on their tongues brought smiles to several faces.

Asked about their favorite holiday foods, Millie said apple salad was one of hers, along with either the ham or turkey that was served on Christmas Day.

Holiday smells the group remembered included peppermint, apples and cinnamon, pine, and fresh bread all made the list.

One resident described making eggnog: "You had to break the egg yolks, then fold in the whipped egg whites and vanilla. We used pure cream, with cinnamon and nutmeg for spices. It was wonderful."

However, not everyone in the group agreed. Likewise, fruitcake also received mixed reviews.

As the group began to sing Christmas carols, Elsie began signing the words.

"My daughter-in-law teaches American Sign Language to children who can't hear," she said. "When I taught first and second graders in Sunday School, I showed them how to sign 'Away in the Manager.' My dream was to be good enough at signing to go anywhere and be able to talk to anyone who couldn't hear."

Elsie was raised in a Jewish home, where her family celebrated Hanukkah.

"It lasted seven days. One night, we'd get a sock. The next, its mate. Then a pencil, followed by a bar of soap, and a washcloth after that. On the final night, when we received our big gift: a homemade flannel nightgown for us girls.

"And we lit the Menorah each night. I also remember stringing popcorn and cranberries and when they got dry, we threw them outside for the birds. It was fun to watch the birds."

Peanut (because she was the smallest baby in the hospital) has a different story. Born in Rockford, Ill., and raised primarily by her grandparents, she did not have any Christmas traditions as a child because of a cantankerous grandfather.

"We did get to have Christmas with my mom, when we saw her on the weekends. But she worked three jobs, so we didn't see her a lot."

After Peanut married and left home at the age of 16, she created traditions with her own family that included having a big meal on Christmas Eve, featuring several soups, opening gifts, playing games and singing.

Despite having different traditions and ways to celebrate, the group enjoyed remembering Christmases past.