LETTERS: CHERISHED MEMORIES OF THE HOLIDAYS

To the editor:

The Christmas season often brings cherished memories to a goodly number of people. It does to me each time the season arrives. Thoughts of old enter my mind as I am sure they do for others also.

The Salvation Army lists among those treasured thoughts. Each season, we are greeted by a member of the organization standing on the corner and ringing a bell in hopes that passers-by might find in their hearts the goodness to drop a monetary gift in the iron kettle. The generosity shown among passers-by always proves heartwarming.

The hearts of people are joyous in seeing the beautiful decorations of pine and Christmas lights that adorn each block of the business section. We are eager to enter into the Yuletide festivities. Then is when such beautiful memories crowd our minds.

I remember as a child Christmas Eve was so special. We went to church, saw our huge Christmas tree and sang many beautiful carols. Each child had a verse from the hymnal to recite. My twin sister and I did also. The minister always read the Christmas story from the Bible as seen in Luke. Each child was given an apple, an orange and a small box of chocolates and a small book of Bible stories. How I wish I could live those days again.

When I attended Southwest Missouri State Teachers College, I worked at Montgomery Ward during Christmas break. How festive was their store, adorned with greenery, holly and red bells. Christmas music sounded continually.

Montgomery Ward featured a special section of the third floor with many kinds of toys and dolls. I worked in that section and liked it best of all.

Woolworth's five-and-ten-cents store was always heavily crowded. A small Christmas tree was seen at many of the counters. Many downtown clerks went there for sodas on their work breaks.

Thus, we all need old memories to reflect upon, to cherish, to bring out a little of the youth in us, to lighten our hearts and maybe even to make us wish for some of those days once more. I know that I do.

PAULA E. KEMPE

Cape Girardeau