'TIS THE SEASON - 1959 BY NANCY PORTZ - FRANCES DRABICK- WRITES IT

'TIS THE SEASON - 1959 BY NANCY PORTZ

12/1/2014

The author of this essay is to the front left in the photo, holding her stuffed animal that Santa brought her in 1959. The sincere happiness of her mother, and siblings born up to that time, were captured by the photographer, her father.
Nancy now holds a Masters from the University of Albany and teaches high school English at Cairo-Durham High.

If you feel like giving a gift beyond your family this year please consider one of the following: St. Judes Children's Research Hospital http://www.stjude.org; Heifer International http://heifer.org; UNICEF www.unicef.org.

5 Comments

Carol Jamison

12/1/2014 02:31:34 am

Such a great picture.

We give to St. Jude, Toys For Tots, etc.
I had a cousin who died from leukemia when she was 5 yrs. old. She was in Sloan Kettering.
St. Jude is a wonderful organization.

Frances Drabick link

12/1/2014 04:26:11 am

I also love the photograph, and especially the simplicity of Nancy's gift! And the affection in her mother's eyes! Can you imagine a nine- year old today being overjoyed with a stuffed animal. lol Well, maybe if it had an iPod stuffed in it. ;)
Carol, your and Pete's generosity of heart does not surprise me... ;) St. Jude is amazing, never charging the families. Also, I am so sorry for the loss of such a precious young life in your family.

Kathy Parchuck

12/1/2014 11:30:38 am

this is one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. May you always have a wonderfully beautiful Christmas season, Nancy!!

Mary

12/1/2014 11:44:37 am

Nancy,

Thanks for sharing that magical story! It did feel magical and so real. I can still feel the excitement of that Montgomery ward catalog. I can see the cookies half eaten and being at Grammie's house. I was just telling someone yesterday about the manger that uncle Nick made for Grammie. That alone was magical. I always say that the greatest gift our parents gave us was each other!

Love you all! Mary

Ann Van Blake-Portz

12/5/2015 10:35:05 am

Nancy, You described the exact Christmas' that I experienced. My parents were so loving,careing and sharing with everything they had. Your story reminded me of all the beautiful memories of my childhood.
It's so sad that thru the years, people have lost sight of the real meaning of Christmas. Today's world appears to be selfish. The kids have everything given to them. There is nothing left to give that would suprise them
.I'm in the 4th generation of family and am so suprised of the differences in the generations. Noone puts GOD first anymore only themselves.
We were so rich in LOVE because God was the center of our universe. Thru the years people have put him on the back shelf. We
need to pray earnestly for GOD to forgive us and get back to the basic morals of our belief.
God bless each of you and your families. Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing.

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'TIS THE SEASON - 1959 BY NANCY PORTZ

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