Oh, What Fun! Magical Christmas Memories

Armchair Chats

Need to jump-start your Christmas joy? Recollections from the hearts of the following Fayette Co. people may do just that

A Monthly Feature by ELAINE THOMAS

Heather Barthelme

“In May of 2004 when I saw a sign advertising Foster Care Awareness Month, I felt a stirring that I’d never felt before or since, a deep, urgent need to foster a child. I did a little research, filled out the forms, took all the classes, did the home study.

“In February 2005, a call came that a little boy would be coming to stay with me for a time. He was a 20-monthold bundle of energy with the most beautiful smile. Theo and I spent the next 10 months getting to know and love each other through swinging and painting outside, bath and bedtime routines, night terrors and morning cartoons.

“When Christmas came, we decorated the tree. We put the stockings out and waited to see what Santa would bring. In the morning, there was a pile of toys and clothes beside his stuffed, overflowing stocking.

“There were two gifts that Theo especially loved: a toy guitar that played songs by The Wiggles, (he was partial to yummy, yummy, yummy fruit saaaalaaad!), and a little motorcycle that he called, as he did all motorcycles, “mOOOOtor-ky-kycle”). Everyone who walked in the room was immediately treated to an excited recounting of each gift and a demonstration of what it was and/or how it worked.

“Nearly 20 years later, I remember the joy on his sweet face at seeing those presents that were all for him like it was yesterday. That young man is in college now. Thankfully, the beautiful lady who adopted my foster son in April 2006 still keeps in touch, so I have had the privilege of watching this beautiful child grow up.”

Maria Guajardo Rocha

“We treasure memories of our Guajardo family Christmases. Each began with all my brothers and sisters and me participating in the annual Hermes Elementary Christmas pageant. This was the last week of school and the beginning of our Christmas break.

“After school, we would take the long bus ride home down FM 609 to Mach Road, the last stop for our driver. Our parents, Candido and Maria Guajardo, would be waiting for us with the car packed, ready to go and visit our grandparents in Obayos, Mexico. During our eight-hour trip, our dad would sing to us and before we knew it, we were all asleep.

“Once we arrived, we would be greeted with hugs by all of our cousins and family that we had not seen since the summer. We always found a comfy bed to sleep in, too. For the next two weeks, we enjoyed special times such as Las Posadas, a religious celebration that commemorates the journey Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe place to stay for Mary to give birth to Jesus. These were held in different homes. Our uncles, aunts and cousins would arrive throughout the day on Christmas Eve.

“Looking back, what I remember most is the family being together and eating all the special foods. Our aunts and Abuelita Manuela would make bunuelos, tamales and other foods.

“We did not have elaborate decorations or gifts. Instead, our Christmas gift was simply being together, surrounded by the ones we loved.”