Visions of sugar plums are dancing in our heads as another Christmas season approaches. It’s to be hoped each of you have happy memories to share as you sit around the tree or enjoy that Christmas feast and that you will share them with the younger generation in your celebration. Bring out the pictures (be sure you have the names of all the people in the photo on the back as well as the year and perhaps the location) and reminisce about those past Christmases and who all was there and the gifts you received and the stories they shared.
What about going to the local Christmas parade? Did you just watch or were you riding on a float? Did you go caroling through the neighborhood? Did you have a part in the school play? I know as children we all prayed for snow (and were disappointed because it seldom came). Some of you are transplants to Tate County and may have enjoyed sledding, building snowmen and snowball fights before going inside to enjoy Mom’s hot chocolate and cookies.
What about going to Grandma and Grandpa’s? Was your favorite the glazed ham, the green bean casserole, or some other specialty that a family member brought? Of course, we all looked forward to dessert. Someone’s terrific pie or that four layered cake that made your mouth water. While I know not everyone is a fan, I like a ‘good’ fruitcake. My Mom made mouth watering lemon and chocolate cream pies.
When I was a child, we would go to the woods and look for a Christmas tree. We only had a few readymade ornaments, so we made some of our own. Sweetgum balls wrapped in tinfoil sparkled against the lights. A needle pushed through and tied in a loop made them easy to hang. Many Moms baked gingerbread men and women to hang on the tree. In kindergarten, my son’s class made a Nutcracker soldier from a clothespin and other craft items. There was garland made of paper rings glued together. Some people crocheted or knitted ornaments. Older generations will remember stringing popcorn or cranberries for garland if they could keep everyone from eating the popcorn. Do you pull out an ornament that has been passed down through the generations? If it isn’t on the tree, it just wouldn’t be Christmas.
In today’s times, the focus should be on a time for family to be together, rather than materialism. After the last two years, just being with those we love is the greatest gift we could receive. It’s not the gift you get, but who you share the holiday with. While I have no experience of Hannakuh, Kwanza or other holidays that celebrate the gift of life, they are as important to those who do as Christmas is to others. Whatever your family traditions are, they are important parts of whatever holiday you celebrate. May you be blessed to remember the memories you’ve already made as well as make long lasting memories this year with those who share the holiday. The memories you make will be the history that will be shared with future generations.
Tate County Genealogical and Historical Society wishes each of you a blessed holiday season. Our gift to you is that we will continue to preserve the history of those who made Tate County their home for their descendants. We hope your gift to us will be your continued support, whether it be through membership or by a donation of your family’s history so that we can make it available to those who use the library.
We invite you to visit the library located in the Crockett Building, 107 Court Street (second floor), to begin Tracing Your Roots. We are open on THURSDAY and FRIDAY (except prior to a holiday) from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (please call if you’ll arrive after 3 p.m.).
You may contact us at tatehistory@hotmail.com or call 662-562-0390 and leave a message on voice mail with brief details of your request and we will answer.
REMINDER: Lanelle Jones Samuel is compiling information on the principals and teachers from the Senatobia Colored Schools, with special attention to the Cathey School. If you can provide information, please contact her at lanellesamuel@aol.com.
