Page 21 - memories-of-golde-dicks-markham-(1996)-golde-dicks-markham

Memories of Golde Dicks Markham (1996) Golde Markham Dicks 6/125

.a,

Nothing much surprised me when I was growing up, but I can recall being scared of
Santa Claus when I was real young. The first Christmas I can remember was when we
decorated a tree for a program that Pa was going to conduct. Ma and Pa hitched the mare to

the wagon about noon, and we went to the church to help decorate the tree. Ma dipped
cedar branches into water and then dipped them into flour to give the appearance of snow. I
made red and green paper chains from crepe paper and popcorn strings for the tree. Ma also

decorated the tree with tinsel rope and wax candles.
This was the happiest Christmas I ever had. Late that afternoon a man came to the
church carrying several packages. One of those packages that Santa had sent by (this, man

contained the prettiest doll I ever saw. Oh, she was dressed so pretty! She could shut her
eyes and went to sleep. How I wished I could be the little girl who was going to get that
beautiful doll. I told Ma and Pa that I had been a good little girl in the hope that Santa might

give me a doll like that. I couldn’t take my eyes off that doll. I just couldn’t stop wishing I
could get a doll like that. I kept wondering who was the lucky little girl who was going to
get that doll.

The tree was finally all decorated. It stood so tall that it touched the ceiling—and that
doll hung on one of the highest branches. My eyes were bulging out of their sockets. I think

that day was the happiest day I ever had. That night when all of the children and teen-agers
had recited their little dialogues and sung Christmas carols, it was finally time for Santa
Claus to distribute his gifts—and some little girl would get that doll.

“Ho! Ho! Ho!” I heard him say as he entered the church.
I was so little and there were so many other people at the tree. He started calling out
names to those receiving presents.

“Shucks,” I thought, “why doesn’t he give that little girl her doll?”
I was ready to burst with excitement. Just then I heard my name called. I looked and
there stood Santa Claus with the doll, and he was handing it to me!

“Merry Christmas, Golde!” he laughed.
I was so happy!11 didn’t know whether to cry, scream, or go blind! That was the

happiest moment of my life and the happiest Christmas ever. I happened to be just the right
age to be a firm believer in. Santa.
Everyone in the packed church enjoyed the program of recitations, dialogues, and

songs. For some people, it was the only time during the year they would attend a church
service. The program and gift-giving came to a close, and then the preacher announced that
after the benediction, each person would receive a Christmas bag at the door. Our church

6

www.LakeCityHistory.com LCH-UUID: C15F5985-B57F-498C-9C99-F425FA07E049