From Steven Fisher: Son of Bob Fisher, grandson of Connie and Leta Fisher
We have had sooooo many wonderful Christmas's with our family, but as a child , we always went to Euchee Creek for Christmas at grandma and grandpa's (Leta and Connie) with all the aunts and uncles and cousins.... and I remember some cool toys,,, but there was one year they wrapped a small coffee can full of pennies,,, wasn't much but it was good by me,,, and we always ate very well,, lots of pies and candy. It was all very wonderful, but I think I am paying for it now,,,(it was worth it).
From
Jennifer Bell Markham:
Granddaughter of Lula Roark Palmer
When we grandchildren were really little, Grandmother made all of us Christmas stockings. She decorated them with felt cutouts and sequins and cut our names out of felt and glued them to the top of the stockings. I think we all still have them. Grandmother was still with us by the time my husband started coming around. Although she wasn't into the stocking making mode by then, she still bought him a stocking and cut his name out of felt and glued it onto the top of his stocking. For many years when my family all got together at my house (whether in Los Angeles, Mississippi or Cleveland) both of my sisters traveled across country to be there, bringing their Christmas stockings from Grandmother with them. These days my family travels to Los Angeles to celebrate Christmas with my sisters, since both now live there. When we leave this Wednesday for California, my husband and I will travel with Grandmother's Christmas stockings in our bags. And when we fill stockings on Christmas eve, we will all be filling those treasured stockings again this year. And, we'll comment about Grandmother... She's stayed a part of our Christmas for decades with those cherished stockings. I think she'd be glad.
From Louise Fisher Blankenship: Daughter of Benton and Acenah Fisher
Merry Christmas to all. My memories of my childhood are so strong in my mind. Of course one of the big ones was Christmas morning waiting for all of us lining up in the hall, even the baby and it was cold. Another one that stays with me is I was convinced by daddy that if we didn't clean the house I would get ashes from Santa. I remember the little black baby doll I got and I took in for daddy to see, He was still in bed, probably so tired as he was the one who shopped for Christmas. Mother always made fresh coconut cake and eggnog among other things. I wanted some roller skates and Santa gave them to my sister, Alice. I sneaked them out and went skating and they fell apart, Its funny now, but not then. I have great hope in my heart today because I know the meaning of Christmas and I love Jesus. Christmas day I will be helping at a place that feeds the needy, "Water Front Mission". I am so lucky to have been born in the Fisher family and have caring relatives. Blessing to all.
From Billy Jones: Son of Bill and Nell Fisher Jones, grandson of Benton and Acenah Fisher
The Christmas story I remember most is when I was about 4 or 5 years old. At Christmas we had our Christmas tree set up and at that age I was always fascinated by the decorations that we had on it. I would always play and pull on the lights and ornaments. Well I managed to pull on them so hard I turned the tree over on me. I didn't know I had enough strength at that age to pull a tree full with Christmas lights and ornaments. Anyway mom and dad heard the crash, came in and were shocked to see a Christmas tree on top of me. They weren't mad but surprised and shocked when I told them that I turned the tree over on me. They got the tree off of me and got it set up again, still beautiful as ever, and from then on I learned my lesson. I only look at the tree and don't touch it.
From Jennifer Willis Fain: Daughter of Gary and Sue Fisher Willis, granddaughter of Bob and Arleeta Fisher
I think I would have to say that they are all favorite memories. I remember a few weeks before Christmas we would all get together at Grandma Arleeta and Poppa Bob's to put up the Christmas tree, have dinner, and draw names for the kids to exchange gifts. Then on Christmas Eve we would go to Gabby's house and open gifts there and see family there then back to poppa Bob's for fire place stew and more gifts. I've started a new tradition with my family. Every year we buy our girls and each other a new ornament. On Christmas Eve we open them and place them on the tree. The first year Gary and I exchanged ornament's we bought each other the exact same ornament!!!! We even wrapped them in the same paper. Hope everyone has a wonderful and joyful Christmas
God Bless you ALL!!!!
From Dale Fisher: Son of Bob and Arleeta Fisher
My favorite childhood Christmas memories are of Euchee Creek (Connie and Leta's house, for those who don't know), sitting on the floor while the presents were passed out. The greatest part was when my cousin Curtis and I were finally old enough to be lucky enough to pass the gifts out to others. We waited years for that chance. And too soon we passed that duty to my sister Susie and his sister Patty. And on and on . . .
The house was never really large enough for the crowd. There were the 6 brothers (Bob, my father, was the oldest, followed by Joe, Connie, Don, Larry and Charlie) and their families in those days so we had to spread out in the living room, downstairs and out on the enclosed front porch -- every spot was always full of people, great talk and wonderful food. Looking at my list and counting heads it was really only about 24-25 people and many of those were very small or maybe some weren't even born yet -- but it always seemed like such a huge crowd -- and I loved it.
We've lost family members. Grandpa and Grandma, Dad and Charlie are gone. Divorces have taken others out of the scene. The families have grown, diverged, and over the years we've all started our own Christmas traditions. For the last several years our branch of the family has met at my brother Steve's house because he has the room and the parking for the 35 or so of us, from Mom down to the newest addition this year, my grandson Josiah (Joey).
And Steve, don't get me wrong because we all love you and Cinthy and greatly appreciate the work you both go through to provide the space, but sometimes I really miss those nights in the smaller house, listening to Dad and his brothers tell their stories and jokes. And hearing my grandparents stories of their Christmas past.