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Highlands Today

WARM, FUZZY CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Everyone Has A Cherished Yuletide Moment; Some Share Theirs With Us

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: December 25, 2007

SEBRING — Probably at no time of the the year are memories more cherished than at Christmas.
Several shoppers paused to talk about Christmases past while doing their frantic last-minute shopping at the Lakeshore Mall on Christmas Eve.

Jillian Kingery, a senior at Avon Park High School, was sitting in the mall food court with friends and family.

She fondly remembered rising at 5 a.m. on Christmas Day and with her brother Robert, 14, banging pots and pans.

"We had to wake our parents," said Jillian. "And it always worked. We always got up early."
Her father, Greg Kingery, enjoyed the year his mother brought his father a sleigh and "Santa rode it up to the door of the house."

Cameron Valasquez, of Sebring, a 17-year-old student at Avon Park High School, said he particularly enjoyed catching his father on Christmas morning while eating cookies set aside for Santa.

Harold Rinehart was shopping with his 5-year-old grandson Anthony who enjoyed receiving Hot Wheel cars as gifts. Grand dad said that most of the family's gifts had already been placed under the tree, except of those special ones Santa would deliver later than night.

Jessica Mahmood, of Avon Park, fondly remembered last year when 2-year old son Zayn Ahmed unwrapped many of the presents placed under the tree early.

"Luckily, none were for him," said Mahmood, with a smile.

"I enjoy the family gathering and watching everything come together – the lights, tree and presents."
Most everyone enjoyed unwrapping that one special gift prized above all others.

For Pam Grine, it was in 1963 when as a 8-year old in Davenport, Iowa, she unwrapped a porcelain Cinderella.

"We walked past this jewelry store and I'd look up and know I couldn't have it," said Grine. "My parents must have watched me look...there it was on Christmas."

Jeremy Mike, like many parents and grandparents, said he enjoyed viewing the holiday magic through the eyes of children.

Last year 8-year old Dominic was shocked when during the family's annual viewing of "The Christmas Story," he was given a Red Rider BB gun.

"There were a lot of tears because of the moment and we all had to go outside to shoot his BB gun with him," wrote Jeremy Mike in an e-mail. "He was so thrilled and NO, nobody shot their eye out."
Diane Thibodeau said Christmas 2007 is shaping up to become the her most memorable.

Two churches, The Salvation Army, Big Brother and Sisters and anonymous donors, have helped make Christmas possible for Thibodeau's two sons during a time of need.

"I was not sure the boys were going to believe after not getting anything they asked for Christmas," she said. "Nothing can be more memorable than seeing the shining eyes of two boys Christmas morning knowing Santa DID come via many hearts."

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