My most memorable Christmas

For me, I think the most memorable Christmas was in about 1984 or 1985. I had two brothers in the U.S. Marines at that time. They were both stationed overseas. My mom was so upset because it would be the first time ever that she didn’t have all six of her kids home.

She tried to hide it, but me being the youngest, I could tell that there was something wrong. My mom would just sit and cry. When I asked her what was wrong, she would just say “ Nothing baby girl. I’m OK.”

About a week went by and Christmas was only a few days away, and my mom’s tears wouldn’t stop. Somehow, my oldest brother found out that my two other brothers were on their way home. He told them to wait until Christmas Eve night, when we were all at my mom’s house exchanging gifts before they showed up.

Well they did. I guess we were about 15 minutes into opening gifts when a knock came at the door. Naturally, my mom being the hostess got up to open it.

When she opened the door and seen Donnie and Dale standing side by side, she went weak. You could actually hear her voice quiver among all of the noise there. They grabbed her up and hugged her so tight.

After she caught her breath from crying so hard her statement was this, “ I don’t care how much money you have in this world, no amount could give me the happiness I feel right now to have all of my babies home safe with me.”

I will never forget any of the Christmases I had as a child. I had an awesome mom. Some of you may have knew her. Her name was Sarah Spencer. Thank you all for sharing this memory with me. 11/7/1938-02/9/1998.

Charlotte Spencer

Florence, S.C.