We remember our 1st Christmas together

December 17, 1901(2001)

Dear Marsha, Bill, & all,

Another year is coming to a close and as we look back, changes have taken place in many different ways. We are all a year older and perhaps wiser. Grandpa and I remember when we could do almost anything, now we are traveling the road of life at a much slower pace, due to health problems and age, but thankful for our blessings.

We remember our 1st Christmas together in our modest small home. By the time the next year rolled around, our Country was at war and Grandpa was a private in the Army Air Force. We spent that Christmas in Ca. at the home of Howard & Mary Bacon.

(While Grandpa was in training in LA, Grandma would go and see him during his visiting hours in the evening. He, of course, couldn’t walk her back to her hotel in the evening, so every night, she would run as fast as she could, scared to death, with her eyes as closed as possible to the safety of her hotel. Once she arrived, she slammed the door shut, locked it up, and then with her back against the door, would start to cry from terror and relief that once again, she had made it back to safety.)

Soon after Grandpa was shipped overseas to No. Africa. So then I returned home to Kaysville, rented our house and moved home with Grandpa & Grandma Webster and the family.

(Grandma worked and saved money at the local Kaysville potato chip factory while Grandpa served the country overseas in such places as Africa, Italy, and other European countries while saving all he could as well. They were too poor to purchase wedding rings when they were sealed, so instead, mailed each other their precious wedding bands, one to Kaysville and the other to Africa. They still have many of the letters sent to each other during that time.)

We were not together at Christmas for almost three years. Then in 1945, World War 2 ended and once again we returned to our home together.

We never know what’s ahead in our lives, but as things happen we adjust and carry on, trusting in the Lord to help us.

A Christmas in 1950 was a very Happy Most memorable one indeed, for under the Christmas tree was a sweet little 6 mo. old baby trying so hard to open gifts and eyes wide looking at the lights on the tree, our own Christmas angel – so special.

Our country is at war again and the turmoil touches every life in some way. Much suffering and conflict exists. We have to live our lives the best we can, by being honest, pure and humble, and help those less fortunate. It’s good when we can look back on Christmas memories, even though some were meager, happiness prevailed and there was food on the table and love abided in the home.

Pres. Hinckley said “It seems to me that the Savior is saying to each of us that unless we lose ourselves in the service of others, our lives are largely lived to no real purpose -- He who lives only unto himself withers and dies, while he who forgets himself in the service of others, blossoms in this life and in eternity.”

Count your Day Lost
If you sit down at the set of sun
And count the acts that you have don
And counting, find
One self denying deed, on word
That eased the heart of him that heard
One glance most kind
That fell like sunshine where it went –
Then you may count that day well spent.
But if through all the life long day
You’ve cheered no heart by yea or nay –
If through it all
You’ve nothing done that you can trace
That brought the sunshine to one face –
No act so small
That helped some soul and nothing cost
Then count that day as worse than lost.
By George Eliot
Just a poem to think on.

We know you do many things for others, as a Mother & Father you do so much for your family – teaching, guiding and proper example.

Pres. Monson says “giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit.”

Pres. Faust says, “May we savor and perpetuate the Christmas traditions which express our endearment and love to each other.”

There is much good in the world as we think of Christmas and can all be grateful for the spirit that comes into our hearts, when we think a little less bitterness and hate. More of love and reaching out to those in trouble and need. We can do this throughout the year. We enjoy listening to the Christmas carols. Silent night – O’ Little Town of Bethlehem, Come all ye Faithful, Joy to the World, I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day, O Holy Night, Star Bright – just to mention a few.

We love you as our family and you have helped us in many ways – by giving as the Lord says “If Ye Love Me, keep my commandments”.

We have been blessed by all of your lives and may this be a Special Christmas for all of you. May the Christmas spirit stay shining brightly in your hearts.

We love you
Grandma & Grandpa