A Christmas Miracle...1959

During the course of my life, many 'unusual' but fun things happened to me. This on happened for Christmas in 1959. One of the interesting things that I have in 'looking back' is that I can most of the time attach a year to the event...almost like a calendar of my past adventures.

This one happend in Puerto Rico. I was 21 years old and I remember it well because I spent my milestone birthday as an Airman 2nd Class at Ramey AFB there. October 1958 I married my second wife and became the proud papa of 4 children ages 1 to 12 at the time. Unusual? Not for me.

I don't remember exactly why we were so broke with Christmas fast approaching...but we were. What we had to look forward to was potaoes period for Christmas dinner. There was no tree and Santa wasn't going to be stopping at our house this year. What to do with 4 kids?

One of the elves must've popped in an idea in my head. Be creative!!! We had so much fun that year making our own decoratations. I gathered some twigs together and the kids were watching wide-eyed and inquistive wondering what I was going to do.

I made a tree! Using some twine, the tree took shape. It would take a bit of imagination to evision that as a tree, but in our household we had plenty of that.

Next...I wrapped the branches with strips of green cloth. We took an old pillow case, tore it up and dyed it with some food color. Then came something we could all do.

Using scrap paper, scissors, paste, and creativity, the six of us laughed as we made decorations for our 'one-of-a-kind' holiday tree. Nothing was going to stop us from enjoying Christmas and all it meant.

A few days later, after pulling my shift in surgery on base, I came home to find my wife excitedly pointing to a 6ft+ live christmas tree. The children were busy decorating it with 'real' ornaments, tinsel and garland. In the corner was a brand-new 2 while bicycle, and packages for all the kids...I assumed.

"Where did this come from?" I remember asking Chuckie. She answered, "I don't know. Some people knocked on the door and asked if this was the John Crocker residence. When I said yes, they brought all this stuff in and said Merry Christmas on their way out."

Miracle?  One of many in my life...and I'm thankful. But that wasn't the end of it. Early Christmas morning we were still in bed when there was a knock on the door. When I answered it there were two people with there arms loaded. "Here's your Christmas dinner. We cooked it for you and hope you like it. Merry Christmas." There were two chickens, stuffing, and all the fixing and plenty of leftovers to get us to our next paycheck.

I've been privy to many miracles in my life. Thankfully I've gone through many periods of 'have not' as well as 'have' so I can appreciate both. This Christmas...as all Christmas Days are...is special. I know what 'IT'S' all about.

The Messenger's word isn't wasted on me. Every day is Christmas.