Christmas in the 1940s
By Jabo
@jaboUK (64346)
United Kingdom
December 23, 2019 4:53pm CST
Three little children at Christmas,
our Daddy away at the war,
Hitler had bombed the supply ships
there weren't many goods in the store.
Our Mum was very inventive,
when we were asleep in the night
from scraps she made horses and teddies
ensuring our Christmas delight.
She made us lovely rag dollies
with plaits that she made out of wool,
stitching big smiles on their faces,
making sure our days were not dull.
Sometimes we got little extras,
as well as the things that she made,
a colouring book or some marbles,
with these we contentedly played.
Our 'tree' was a branch in a bucket,
we'd no fancy baubles or lights,
Mum fashioned some fairies from cardboard,
with crayons we coloured them bright.
Mum talked a lot about Daddy
though never once showed us her pain,
how worried she was for his safety,
perhaps we'd not see him again.
These are my memories of Christmas,
sweet mother made sure it was fun,
we'd lots of love and excitement,
as magic around us she spun.
Photo of my mother, sisters and me (in the middle) in coats our mother made.
33 people like this
32 responses
@Juliaacv (56241)
• Canada
24 Dec 19
That is such a precious photo, I tried to think of which one was you, but I guessed wrong.
Your poem is so nice.
For those of us who did not grow up in that time period, it helps make it real.
Those wives, the young mothers, they were really heroes themselves weren't they?
To suddenly be in charge of the entire household, the upkeep, maintenance, the bills, the family, and the day to day lives of everyone, PLUS her own emotional feelings regarding her fears and anxieties of her husband's deployment. How did they do it? They must have been such a special and strong breed of women.
5 people like this
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
24 Dec 19
They were strong indeed. I was born just as my father was embarking on a troopship for France so my mother had three children all under 3 years old at that time. She had to cope on her own for the whole 6 years of the war, only seeing my father on occasional leaves. She, and others like her, were wonderfully resourceful.
4 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
23 Dec 19
This really was heartwarming to read. It may be my favorite yet. 
5 people like this
@shaggin (74987)
• United States
23 Dec 19
How beautiful! I bet as a kid you absolutely loved the Christmas time your mother provided for you. Now you have such wonderful memories to look back on especially knowing all your mother did to make sure you guys felt special and enjoyed the holiday.
3 people like this
@allknowing (153530)
• India
24 Dec 19
Mothers are wonderful. My mother was too. With little money she gave us a grand Christmas.
4 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
24 Dec 19
Bittersweet memories of Christmas ! How great a mother's love was ! ! During the war,she not only eked food out over four people,but did her best to let you have a happy Christmas.Who took the photo of you ?
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
25 Dec 19
@jaboUK That makes sense.He could have a look at the photo, if he missed you.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
24 Dec 19
You are in the middle a lovely doll you were look at you.
Your Mum was so lovely.
God bless you Jabo.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
A very Happy Christmas to you dear friend.
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
24 Dec 19
@jaboUK Oh you are so welcome Jabo have a lot to eat for yourself.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
24 Dec 19
@TiarasOceanView Lol - I expect I will gorge myself
1 person likes this
.
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
24 Dec 19
An absolutely beautiful, perfect poem @jaboUK .
2 people like this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
23 Dec 19
What a beautiful and touching poem. Those were difficult times for your family for sure. You were all so lucky to have such a wonderful mother to make Christmas so magical for her family.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photo with us. I picked you out right away!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Janet!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Janet!4 people like this
@psanasangma (7910)
• India
25 Dec 19
Such an adorable and beautiful pictures ... Merry Christmas
2 people like this
@hostessman (11871)
• Tucson, Arizona
24 Dec 19
it was still a great time to be living and there was a lot of memories made back then//////
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
25 Dec 19
this's jest beautiful 's a tear slipped down my cheek. folks jest don't seem to realize how easy thingies 'd be these days. i see where ya got yer strength from, hon. how scary 't must'a been, havin' 3 small young'uns to raise 'lone 's war loomed o'erhead 'n all 'round. what cherished gifts she made fer y'all, all stitched with great love.
merry Christmas, dear one ~
2 people like this
@Behindtheguitarbar (2831)
• Guangdong, China
24 Dec 19
mothers are so great in her children's hearts. I'm very much appreciated that my mom has been a housewife for many years. She cooks us meals and concerns us a lot.
2 people like this
