Mom made Christmas and birthdays special

Wife, Dad’s helpmate in the ministry, mother, creative craftsperson, musician, friend and so much more. She made holidays special.

My Mom loved celebrating special days and holidays. She especially loved Christmas. When my pastor father had a church in the oil town of Lance Creek, Wyoming, I was old enough to be part of the celebrating. 

We didn’t have a freezer but the women who did allowed her space. For weeks, Mom baked cookies and made fudge and other goodies. Before Christmas, Mom and Dad held an open house for the small community. When old enough, my older sister Karin and I helped serve. 

When the rush was over, Mom and Dad made plates of the goodies and delivered them to those unable to attend. It was a gift to the community and a way to reach out.

But Mom didn’t only love to celebrate at Christmas, though that was high on her list. We grew up with a whole tradition regarding Christmas that kept Jesus front and center.

Mom made Christmas special. But she always made our birthdays special as well. I don’t recall how we celebrated my birthday when we lived in Canada and Minnesota, where Dad served churches. I do remember two birthdays in Siren, Wisconsin, where Dad served a church. 

One was my birthday, and the other was Karin’s birthday. We seldom had money for more than necessities, but still, my folks found ways to make our birthdays special. 

I attended first and second grades in Siren. Mom invited several of my friends for my January birthday. January is cold with lots of snow that time of year so friends came bundled up. I am sure we had some of Mom’s delicious cake. She was a great baker/cook. We had ice cream as well. We also probably played Pin the Tail on the Donkey a popular party game back then.

And there were gifts from the kids who attended. I’m sure I liked the gifts, but I only remember one. After everyone left, I gathered my gifts and took them upstairs to the bedroom I shared with my sister. I opened one. It was kid’s makeup kit. I didn’t care about the purpose. I liked the colors.

A bit later, I was called downstairs. Inside the front door, stood the nervous older sister of one of the girls who’d attended the party. Her mother sent her to retrieve the gift given to me. Back then, many churches didn’t encourage “painted” faces. The girl’s mom hadn’t really thought through to whom the gift was going, though our church wasn’t all that focused on the wearing or not wearing of makeup.

I shook my head. “I can’t give it back. I opened it.”

That left the teen off the hook. She left with a relieved sigh when Mom assured her it was OK. I was allowed to keep my gift and not made to feel I did something wrong. I wonder what I did with the pallet of pretty colors. I do know Mom didn’t steal the joy from my celebration.

My sister planned to have friends over for her September birthday. Only she got the flu and missed several days of school. She was still sick on her birthday and was very sad.

Besides celebrating with her friends, Karin had one big birthday wish. The September weather in Wisconsin is already cooling down. Snow and frozen lakes are not far away. Karin wanted ice skates so she could join her friends skating.

Mom felt bad Karin couldn’t have her party. Karin hoped for skates, but knew Mom and Dad probably couldn’t afford a pair. Her birthday was a cruel bust. Still the family gathered around her to have cake and ice cream and sing happy birthday. Bitter-sweet.

Then Mom and Dad nervously handed her a wrapped box. Karin took the rather heavy box. She began opening and then faster as she realized the contents. To my surprise, she pulled out her dearest wish—ice skates. 

Karin hugged them to her chest. “How?”

Mom told her, “They aren’t new. They are second-hand. We refurbished them.”

Karin didn’t care. She had her skates and a birthday celebration she’d never forget. Nor would I.

Celebrations shouldn’t be about who attends or how much money goes into the event. Celebrations should be about caring, kindness and love. That’s how Mom did it.

© 2026 Carolyn R Scheidies

Published in Kearney Hub 2/12/2026

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