I grew up in a two-family flat in Detroit. My family lived upstairs and my godparents lived downstairs. Among my fondest and most cherished Christmas/New Year’s season memories are my godparents coming up the backstairs every Christmas morning and walking into the living room to watch me and my two siblings open all our toys and other presents.
The memories are special not because of any gifts they or anyone else gave us but just because godmama and godddady were there sharing Christmas morning with us. Emma and Bennie Blake, my godparents, adopted our family when we moved in, as they did other kids in the neighborhood and many in my big, extended family. They were among the most kind, loving, generous people I’ve ever known in my life. I can’t tell you how many high school class rings they bought for kids in the neighborhood. They were proud of our accomplishments and helped encourage us. I know how blessed we all were to have them in our lives, and I am so thankful for those Christmas memories.
With the Christmas/New Year’s season underway, I reached out to individuals I’ve worked with and interviewed over the past year to ask what are some of their fondest memories. Here is what they shared:
Jennifer Petterson, marketing and communications executive, Pathlights, shared two — One was the year her car broke down on the highway as she drove to see family in Canada.
“Every auto repair was closed, and a kind stranger dropped me and my cat at a local motel,” she said. “I called my family to say I wouldn’t make it home. My brother asked where I was, said I wasn’t spending Christmas in a motel by myself, and drove six hours round trip across the border to pick me up. That’s Christmas love!
“One Christmas, a kind older neighbor who we helped occasionally, dropped off the yummiest coffee cake with her secret recipe. We enjoyed it at our Christmas Day brunch and added the recipe to the holiday “must” list. Today, 50 years later, we still serve it! It’s incredibly special because eating it always reminds me of “Mimi” and how small acts of kindness bring so much joy.”
Julian Graham, gallery director, Union Street Gallery — “My fondest memory is my first Christmas as a working adult. It was the first time I was able to actually buy gifts for others. Can’t remember what I bought, only bought for immediate family though, mom, uncle and grandparents. I was 19 working at Sam’s Club.”
Did he experience joy in giving?
“Yes, I did, and I still do,” he said. “Figuring out what people like is a fun puzzle.”
Felicia Bates Pointer, president and founder, Just Us Sistahs Talking LLC — “I have so many childhood memories from Christmas. I would have to say that my fondest Christmas memories are the ones where my family traveled to Pensacola, Florida for two weeks over the Christmas holiday to spend time with family. During that time many of my loved ones were still alive and I got a chance to see what the true meaning of family was all about. Now that I am an adult, I realize that those times together were priceless with the desserts, time with my cousins, going to each of my relatives’ homes, eavesdropping on the adult parties in my aunt and uncle’s den. I will treasure those moments forever.”
Philip S. France, senior pastor, Living Grace Church — “One of my fondest memories of Christmas was seeing Godly teaching take root in what my wife and I poured into our children for years regarding the true meaning of Christmas. We absolutely love it when we see and hear our children share with our grandchildren the true message of the gospel — that Jesus Christ came into the world.”
Phyllis West, director, Social Justice Initiative, Governors State University — “My most memorable Christmas was when I was a 24-year-old Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone, West Africa. I lived in the village of Kpai in the eastern province of Kenema. My home, like all the homes there, had no running water, no electricity and an outdoor toilet.
This was an all-Muslim community of the tribe called Mende. I was the only English speaker in the community. The chief of the village, Chief Monseray, was a father figure to me and the head of the Bundo society. Mama Lucy was a mother figure to me. They protected me and wanted to make sure I was happy.
That Christmas, for a gift, they gave me a bushel of bananas, kola nuts and a live chicken. As an exchange gift, I prepared them an American breakfast, which they tried but did not like. My gift from them was of the highest order. They gave me a gift from their hearts, and it was the best Christmas ever. That was in 1991. I will forever treasure the village of Kpai, Mama Lucy and Chief Monseray.”
This Christmas/New Year’s season be grateful for the special moments. They go by so quickly. Make new memories to cherish.
Francine Knowles is a freelance columnist for the Daily Southtown.