It seems like Christmas got here quicker than normal this year.

If I remember correctly, I think I wrote the same thing about this time last year.

The older folks used to tell me how when you got older time seems to fly. Now that I am one of the old ones, I have to agree.

I still love Christmas and seeing the decorations in the stores. However, I do not like that they seem to show up earlier and earlier every year.

I enjoy seeing everyone’s decorations and usually spend at least one night driving around Winchester looking at them.

I love going to church and listening to the beautiful music our choir has worked so hard on. This past Sunday was such a treat if you went to my church, First United Methodist Church. The whole program was just beautiful from start to finish.

We listened as some of the youth in our church played individual piano selections. Our choir could not have been more beautiful and the guest musicians added to our program so much. The Rev. Farley Stuart, as usual, gave a meaningful message. I left church feeling the beauty of Christmas.

Saturday evening at my home I was reminded of my childhood once more.

I was in my pajamas and puttering around in the kitchen. My husband had helped out Santa during the day and was tired and already in bed.

I thought I heard a knock at the door, Yelling, “Who is it?” I received no answer. I again heard a knock, a little bit louder this time. I yelled at least two more times,”Who is it?” I could not understand why they were not using the doorbell.

By this time, I woke up my husband.

I go to the door and ask again who it was and I understand the man to say “Carolyn.” I don’t know anyone named Carolyn on our street, and told him I was not Carolyn.

By that time, I was brave enough to open the door and my husband has finally gotten up with my persuasion.

I find out it is Christmas carolers.

Anyway, it was a sweet gesture and I went outside to listen to them sing. My husband, still half asleep went back to bed.

I could not help but remember back to when I was a teenager and our church group going out to sing to the elderly people in our neighborhood.

It was a fun thing to do and we usually met back at the church for hot chocolate and cookies.

We did go to the homes a little earlier than what the group from the Winchester Players had done.

I waved goodbye with a thank you and saw them walking on up the street. I hoped no one else was frightened at first. Sometimes I think I watch too much TV.

It wasn’t until they left that I let out a laugh and realized how time had flown by in my life. It did not seem that long ago I was a teenager singing carols to the elderly and now I am the old person being sung to.

Life does come full circle in so many ways. 

I hope all of you are ready for Christmas and are in a joyful mood.

If you are like me, it is so hard not to think of all the Christmases past. It seems like the Christmases with my parents and siblings always enter my mind at this time of year. My love for them will never die.

This year I lost my oldest brother as he joined my parents in death. My daddy died on Christmas eve night in 1986. I always feel for those who have lost loved ones during the year.

The memories of my loved ones mean everything to me. They are never forgotten.

I am looking forward to spending some time with our children and grandchildren.

Our grandchildren who were once little bitty are now as tall as or taller than me. My little Simon has even grown and I think he is about as tall as he will get. He now realizes what a Christmas package is for and tried to open one the last time he was at my house. He continues to amaze us and though we have many things to be joyful and thankful for this year at Christmas even though he is just a little fellow, he is one of God’s greatest blessings.

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and I pray it is a blessed one for everyone.

Sue Staton is a Clark County native who grew up in the Kiddville area. She is a wife, mother and grandmother who is active in her church, First United Methodist Church, and her homemakers group, Towne and Country Homemakers.