For the Love of Us All

DECEMBER 24, 2012

CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE WALLMANS

From the time we lived at Massachusetts Avenue (1-31-63 to 11-30-98)

We always had the greatest Christmas Eves

Thanks to my mother and father

As a young boy-my two sisters and I-would be surprised

When the elves came

The elves would always bring us pajamas and slippers

My dad would sometimes be cussing

I didn’t know what it was about at the time-but as I got older

I came to understand that he was usually trying to put something

Together ( ie. a bike for my sisters or me )

Often times-we would go to midnight Mass

Except my father-who would sneak off to bed

Even when we had a houseful

And that is what I remember most, the “HOUSEFULS”

We always had an Open House on Christmas Eve

My friends-my sisters’ friends-and even some of my father’s and mother’s friends

Would show up-down through the years

Sometimes-some of our relatives would be there too

If they were just looking to have some fun

It would usually start with Rick and Patty coming after 6:00or 7:00 pm Mass

And as they got older-they would show up with their children-Samantha and Tim

They even came one year less than a week after Timmy was born

Also showing up were Rich and Betty Ann (when they were still married)

And their beautiful daughter Bridget

And Ed and Debbie and their daughter-Samantha

Ray and Arlene and their family

And many other family and friends

Most of it-was just clean fun

But we did have our own version of  “The Twelve Days of Christmas”

And “Pup” singing C is for the Christ child

I will always remember Pup

He died in 1979 in a motorcycle accident

He always carried a “magnum” gun with him everywhere he went

When he came into our house on Christmas Eve

He would take them out and give them to me at the door

And after my cousin, Donny, got divorced

We had our own version of “Same Time-Nest Year”

With him and Rooster

What wonderful memories I have of “CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE WALLMANS”

And when we moved in 1998-my mother wrote the following poem

As we turn out the lights and

Lock the door of this old house

Not a creature is stirring

Not even the proverbial mouse.

Hush!  Quiet and silence.  Can you believe!!!

Any day of the year, but Christmas Eve!!!

Now we REALLY KNOW it’s time to go

But before we do, we want you to know

Through the love and the joy, the laughter & tears

That you have imparted, you have enriched

Our lives all these past 36 years.

If these walls could talk, what tales they would tell

No need, however, we remember them well.

For caring and sharing and just being there

Our love, thanks and warmest wishes for a

Happy New Year.

The Wallman

Christmas 1998

Robert P. Wallman

7-09-07

Ps        “For God so loved the world that he gave his ONE AND ONLY SON

             That whoever believes in him shall NOT PERISH but have eternal life”

                     John 3:16