My mother, brother and I decided to use our father’s rail road pass and take a trip to Washington DC. Because of our isolated world in Wilkes-Barre PA, we were un aware that the week end we picked to go was the week Martin Luther King had his famous rally. We were surprised on how uncrowded the capital was until we came to the mall! We were probably the only white people in the city. We walked so much, going up all the steps, that my moms knee went out. We left DC with thousands of other marchers and on the train from DC back we stood on the platform as huge GG1 electric trains thundered parallel to us at a 100 mph! Mama was always ready for adventure.
We used to go on family outings and one of these was to a place called Jumper’s Creek. It is now a hotel (the Woodlands) where Bonnie installed a computer in her IBM days and where George and Bonnie were married. On the way to the creek there was a one way tunnel under the rail road tracks. You had to blow your horn before entering to avoid an accident. Pop horn was broken so mama used to hang her head out the window and give the loudest “OOOOGGGGGAAAAAHHHHH” you have ever heard.
One of the blessings of a large family is the large contingent of nieces and nephews that become part of your family. As an extended family, we gathered often for many occasions but Christmas Eve dinner at Mom’s and Pop’s was always special. Mom would cook for days and we would gather from near and far to partake of the feast. After dinner, as was our family tradition, we would gather the children in the living room to sing Christmas carols and await the arrival of Santa Claus. One year, from some strange reason, the role of Santa fell to me. Traditionally, Santa arrived with a few Ho! Ho’s! while descending the stairs. Not this Santa. The children were told that Santa had a problem landing on the roof. Everyone rushed outside to see Santa precariously hanging off the high porch and struggling to get over the railing. The screams of joy and delight that rang out from children still echo over the skies of Plains, PA today. A very special Christmas Eve.
My mother, brother and I decided to use our father’s rail road pass and take a trip to Washington DC. Because of our isolated world in Wilkes-Barre PA, we were un aware that the week end we picked to go was the week Martin Luther King had his famous rally. We were surprised on how uncrowded the capital was until we came to the mall! We were probably the only white people in the city. We walked so much, going up all the steps, that my moms knee went out. We left DC with thousands of other marchers and on the train from DC back we stood on the platform as huge GG1 electric trains thundered parallel to us at a 100 mph! Mama was always ready for adventure.
ReplyDeleteWe used to go on family outings and one of these was to a place called Jumper’s Creek. It is now a hotel (the Woodlands) where Bonnie installed a computer in her IBM days and where George and Bonnie were married. On the way to the creek there was a one way tunnel under the rail road tracks. You had to blow your horn before entering to avoid an accident. Pop horn was broken so mama used to hang her head out the window and give the loudest “OOOOGGGGGAAAAAHHHHH” you have ever heard.
ReplyDeleteOne of the blessings of a large family is the large contingent of nieces and nephews that become part of your family. As an extended family, we gathered often for many occasions but Christmas Eve dinner at Mom’s and Pop’s was always special. Mom would cook for days and we would gather from near and far to partake of the feast. After dinner, as was our family tradition, we would gather the children in the living room to sing Christmas carols and await the arrival of Santa Claus. One year, from some strange reason, the role of Santa fell to me. Traditionally, Santa arrived with a few Ho! Ho’s! while descending the stairs. Not this Santa. The children were told that Santa had a problem landing on the roof. Everyone rushed outside to see Santa precariously hanging off the high porch and struggling to get over the railing. The screams of joy and delight that rang out from children still echo over the skies of Plains, PA today. A very special Christmas Eve.
ReplyDelete