My family inadvertently started a behavior one Christmas that became an annual custom for our family. The group interaction was within our small family of five. The custom continued as long as the family stayed intact. Once the siblings left home and had families of their own, new Christmas traditions were established. However, the old tradition reoccurred whenever we all came together at our parents’ house for Christmas. It stopped when members of our family group died.
It originated in 1956 when I was five years old. On Christmas Eve a new Stromberg Carlson cabinet stereo, our first record player, was delivered to the house. We were a very musical family, but owned no records. It was late when Mom and I rushed to the store to buy some records. To our dismay the store had already closed, and the owner was readying to leave. My mother convinced him to let us select a record. With no time to browse, the first song that came to her mind was my father’s favorite song. The shop owner sold us the 45 rpm record and we came home with our prize. That evening we played “The Yellow Rose of Texas” over and over again, excited about the arrival of Santa Claus.
My brother and I awoke very early Christmas morning, however we were kept away from the Christmas tree by my grandmother, who strategically slept in the living room until Mom and Dad awoke. We could not contain our excitement and wanted our parents up immediately. We got the idea to play “The Yellow Rose of Texas”, turning the volume up high. The sound reverberated through our small house, waking my parents, and beginning our Christmas gift exchange.
For two decades, every Christmas morning began with the playing of “The Yellow Rose of Texas” on the Stromberg Carlson. It was the rallying call to the family, expressed through music, a way to communicate. It was informally learned. It became a reminder of our history as a family and our memorable past holidays. In later years when we came home to our parents’ house for Christmas, the playing of the music heralded the start of Christmas festivities. The tradition’s purpose changed slightly over time, but never lost importance.
Our activity became a repeated habitual action or a custom, the genre of customary lore. It was a way to stay connected to the past, a common sharing, and an identity that for us was special. The words of the song were not significant to the tradition; but the music was. Today, that very 45 rpm record is framed and hangs in my house as a personal connection with the family tradition of Christmases past. The Stromberg Carlson is a family heirloom. Both are material folklore for our family. Now when I hear “The Yellow Rose of Texas” played or referred to, no matter what the context, a smile and a tear always appear. This family folklore will always hold a special place in my memories, and provides a story to tell, verbal folklore, to successive generations of McCreas.
This blog entry is my response to the Chapter One Reflection Question.
It originated in 1956 when I was five years old. On Christmas Eve a new Stromberg Carlson cabinet stereo, our first record player, was delivered to the house. We were a very musical family, but owned no records. It was late when Mom and I rushed to the store to buy some records. To our dismay the store had already closed, and the owner was readying to leave. My mother convinced him to let us select a record. With no time to browse, the first song that came to her mind was my father’s favorite song. The shop owner sold us the 45 rpm record and we came home with our prize. That evening we played “The Yellow Rose of Texas” over and over again, excited about the arrival of Santa Claus.
My brother and I awoke very early Christmas morning, however we were kept away from the Christmas tree by my grandmother, who strategically slept in the living room until Mom and Dad awoke. We could not contain our excitement and wanted our parents up immediately. We got the idea to play “The Yellow Rose of Texas”, turning the volume up high. The sound reverberated through our small house, waking my parents, and beginning our Christmas gift exchange.
For two decades, every Christmas morning began with the playing of “The Yellow Rose of Texas” on the Stromberg Carlson. It was the rallying call to the family, expressed through music, a way to communicate. It was informally learned. It became a reminder of our history as a family and our memorable past holidays. In later years when we came home to our parents’ house for Christmas, the playing of the music heralded the start of Christmas festivities. The tradition’s purpose changed slightly over time, but never lost importance.
Our activity became a repeated habitual action or a custom, the genre of customary lore. It was a way to stay connected to the past, a common sharing, and an identity that for us was special. The words of the song were not significant to the tradition; but the music was. Today, that very 45 rpm record is framed and hangs in my house as a personal connection with the family tradition of Christmases past. The Stromberg Carlson is a family heirloom. Both are material folklore for our family. Now when I hear “The Yellow Rose of Texas” played or referred to, no matter what the context, a smile and a tear always appear. This family folklore will always hold a special place in my memories, and provides a story to tell, verbal folklore, to successive generations of McCreas.
This blog entry is my response to the Chapter One Reflection Question.
References
2 comments:
Ianne I made a comment in my blog about your Christmas Tradition piece. I love the story.
Thanks.
Diana Lynn.....
This is a wonderful story, well told.
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