Christmas, 1929

(Daily Devotion for December 17, 2003)

Should we be tempted to complain about our situation in life,
it might do us good to consider how it was 74 years ago with
my parents. No doubt, there were and are others who experience
worse conditions than my folks did. But, I don't know their story.

I only know the main events relating to this 1929 Christmas as I
have heard them told over the years. I wasn't around until some
10 years later. The hardships that were endured, I can only
imagine as my parents spent little time giving details of adversities
they faced.

It was Christmas Eve and a large snow was on the ground. My
parents had two sons, ages four and six. It was about time for
the third child to be delivered. Christmas gifts for the boys had
not been obtained. Perhaps they had planned to go to town earlier,
but due to the snow had not been able to do so. Daddy was age
28 and Mama was 27. There was apparently not money enough
to buy the boys the wagon they wanted and to pay for the Doctor
that would soon be needed.

Consequently, Daddy and his younger brother had been working
sawing and hewing crossties to sell to the railroad company. So
on Christmas Eve they loaded up the wagon with the ties and started
the approximate 14 miles to the railroad at Maplesville. I'm sure it
was an uncomfortable journey, but they made the trip, purchased
the Christmas gifts, and arrived back home by day's end.

Then it was discovered that a Doctor would be needed before the
night ended. I believe my uncle made the trip to get the doctor.
I'm not sure whether or not the doctor arrived in time for the birth.
But, some time after midnight my oldest sister was born on the
last white Christmas that has been experienced in our area.

I feel sure that my parents must have felt to be some of the
richest, most blessed people on earth that Christmas. No doubt,
they were stronger and faced difficulties in life much better than
most others and I do these days.

Elder Wayne Crocker