The Christmas of 1964

In the summer of 1964 we moved from town to the country. An old red brick farm house was like a mansion to a nine year old boy. Our yard was full of big climbing trees surrounded by green fields and woods that I could explore with my new dog named Tyler. I was in nine year old boy heaven.

Our Landlord was a farmer who farmed the acreage around the old house. I knew him as, Farmer Bob. I would always ride with dad a mile up the road to pay old Farmer Bob the rent. He was in his 40s and that was old to me. Farmer Bob would always grin at me when dad handed him the rent money.

I can still picture Farmer Bob in that ragged John Deere hat, limping from the barn to meet us. I found out later in life that he was a Korean War veteran.

Autumn came around far too soon but I so enjoyed watching Farmer Bob harvest the crops. I would run to the field every time old Farmer Bob showed up on his tractors pulling balers or combines. My dog Tyler and me would run along side at a safe distance and watch the hay go in and then come out big rectangular bales.

I was amazed at the technology and the chug of the old John Deere tractor was music to my ears. When Farmer Bob would take a break, he would sit on the baler tire and explain how things worked. Sometimes, he would give me an apple from his lunch box.

When the fields became bare, I sure missed following Farmer Bob around. I entertained myself by piling up leaves and diving in them. I had bunches of trees to climb from sunrise to sunset. I had brothers and sisters to annoy and plenty of places to hide from them when I had gone too far.

November came and my dad got laid off. My mom was working in a garment factory and made very little money. They were raising 2 adults and five kids. My oldest brother was in the Army. I had overheard mom and dad talking to my older siblings about how it was going to be just food for Christmas.....no presents this year.

I was sad but the depressing news held my attention for about three minutes and I was off to play in the new snowfall with Tyler.

When December first rolled around, I jumped in the old 1941 Ford with dad and we went to pay Farmer Bob the rent. This time, Farmer Bob came out of the house and not the big red barn. I waved and he wave back saying,"There's my little friend."

Farmer Bob and dad talked a little about the weather and dad handed Farmer Bob the rent money. Farmer Bob handed the money back to dad and said,"Spend this on your family, Russell...Merry Christmas!"

I looked up at dad and I could see how shocked he was. Dad said,"Are you sure Bob...we're making it OK." Farmer Bob just grinned and said,"It's not charity...it's a gift, Russell....I just want you to have it for Christmas." Dad shook his hand and thanked him. Old Farmer Bob grinned and waved at me as we pulled away.

On the way home, dad told me to remember what just happened and I would always know the true meaning of Christmas.

On Christmas eve, we decorated a tree that my brother, dad and me had cut from the woods. We strung popcorn and made angels with aluminum foil. Mom and my sisters made cookies and candy. We listened to Christmas songs on the radio and sang along with the ones we knew. I went to bed that night with contentment in my heart and a smile on my face.

Christmas morning was wonderful. There were PRESENTS under the tree! Mom and dad both had tears in their eyes as they passed us the wrapped packages. There were thank yous, hugs, laughing and cheering. I got a large bag of Army men, new shoes and Tyler got a collar. We were a very happy family that morning.

When it came time for the blessing before dinner. dad thanked God for the food and mentioned the gift of Farmer Bob.

We rented that old red brick house from Farmer Bob for five more years. Every December first, Farmer Bob would hand the rent money back to dad.

Maybe Christmas is about the special people we hold in our hearts because they cared enough to give a gift. Maybe knowing those people is the very gift itself? It was to an eight year old boy.....still is to me.