Growing up, my mother had a challenging childhood. There was never any money and celebrations were scarce. When she had children, she made sure to create memories for us. Baking cookies was a special event. She used almond extract when making the sugar cookies and today that still tastes like Christmas. We made lots of frosting in a variety of colors and there were always sprinkles. We had tons of fun making the cookies. Of course there was fudge, cinnamon rolls, and various quick breads that needed to be made. Food played a large role in our celebration. My mom always made sausage balls, a couple of cheese balls (the one with the olives was a family favorite), and of course, my mom’s bran muffins (it may sound a little strange, but she only made them at Thanksgiving and Christmas and the day would not be complete without them). On Christmas Eve, my mom often made chili because Christmas was a feast with roast turkey and all the trimmings.
Another holiday tradition when we lived in Beaumont was a trip to Santa’s Village in the San Bernardino Mountains near Arrowhead. (This particular trip was always a favorite of my dad’s.) We loved seeing Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the reindeer. It was also fun to actually touch the North Pole.
No Christmas celebration would be complete without Santa!
Grandma Coble and Santa
Jolliest Santa ever, my brother Bill
Alex and Kylie
Becky and Jacque
Gary and Jacque with Santa Dave
When we were young, we opened our gifts on Christmas morning (Gary and I still do). The suspense and excitement was as important as any actual gift. We were allowed to open one package on Christmas Eve and it was always a new set of pajamas. In addition to our actual gifts on Christmas morning, the stockings were a special treat. They contained an orange, nuts, candy, and some small inexpensive gifts that I know my mom had fun shopping for.
Ultimately, Christmas is a time for traditions. This is a time when we share our culture with the children in our family and help build family bonds.
Putting up the Christmas tree provides an opportunity to tell family stories, recall memories, and have a chance to be creative together.
Our first ever experience with cruising was a one day cruise from San Diego to Ensenada, Mexico in 1991 or 1992.
Janet, Dick, Gary, Jacque
We joined our friends, Dick and Janet, on this excursion. We were hanging out by the pool and the guys headed off to go get drinks. Janet and I decided to wander a bit and strolled up to the bridge. We were looking in and one of the crew members asked if we wanted to take a turn at driving the ship. Of course we jumped at this extraordinary opportunity. Janet took her turn first, then I had my chance. Drinks in hand, Gary and Dick found us as I was driving the ship. Their shock is still seared in my memory.
Our next real cruise experience was in Tahiti. We flew into Papeete, Tahiti and sailed around the Tahitian islands on Renaissance. It was truly a beautiful and relaxing opportunity. One of our excursions was to a private island where we snorkeled and had a lovely lunch.
When we took our Tahitian cruise, I was working on my Masters in Library and Information Science degree. I was taking Young Adult Literature that summer and needed to read a book a day to keep up with my requirements. So…I took a suitcase of books on our cruise (Gary also needed several books because we’re both avid readers and never want to be without).
Our next cruise was our 2009 Alaskan cruise on Celebrity. After our book challenge on the Tahitian cruise, we purchased our first Kindles so we could preserve our precious suitcase space for clothes and souvenirs on our way home.
We started out in Vancouver, Canada. We spent two days there before the cruise and had a wonderful time sightseeing.
We had a wonderful time, ate great food, and enjoyed all the majestic scenery.
We added on the land tour to our cruise options which included Denali National Park where we had great views of the top of Denali and saw all the amazing wildlife the park has to offer (the mother bear playing with her cubs was a highlight), Talkeetna, and Fairbanks. When I got home I binge watched the TV series Northern Exposure to keep the Alaskan feel alive.
In the summer of 2016, we attended a conference for school in Orlando, Florida. We stayed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge where we were fortunate to live among the animals.
Since we were already in Orlando, we decided to take an Eastern Caribbean cruise on Carnival (love when things work out) before we flew home.
Our itinerary took us to the Dominican Republic, St Thomas, Puerto Rico, and Grand Turk. We met some teachers from Scotland. Teachers really make great traveling companions.
Then came 2017 which brought retirement. After a combined 75 years of teaching, we decided to give ourselves a special retirement gift, an Oceania cruise around the British Isles that coincided with the start of the 2017-2018 school year in PSUSD (and yes, Gary made sure to text our teacher friends on the first day of school telling them what a great time we were having).
Another dream vacation was our Oceania cruise of the Mediterranean in 2018. We added a pre-cruise package in Barcelona. Much to our surprise, after one night in Barcelona (amazing food), we boarded a van and were told that we were stopping at the castle. We got to the castle around 6 p.m. and it seemed a little late for a tour. Once we stopped, the driver told us he would get our luggage. We discovered that we were actually staying in Cardona Castle! Then it was on to our cruise. We stopped at Majorca (and yes, I got Majorca pearls), then Marseilles, Nice, Monte Carlo, Corsica, Pisa, Florence (and yes, I got an Italian leather coat…Gary only got a pair of gloves…monogrammed of course), and ended with three days in Rome.
2019 brought two cruises. The first was a fall cruise on Oceania up the east coast. We started in New York City. Our itinerary included Newport, Boston, and Bar Harbor then it was on to Canada. We stopped in St. John, Nova Scotia, Charlottetown, Quebec City, and ended in Montreal. On this cruise we took two cooking classes – tons of fun.
Our last cruise before COVID-19 struck and all travel was stopped, was a Celebrity cruise of the Western Caribbean where we stopped at Key West, Costa Maya, Cozumel, the Cayman Islands and Hell. One of the highlights of this cruise was the on-board glass blowing class where Gary made me a beautiful paperweight.
Gary’s grandmother, Anna Mae Meckley Coble and Jacque’s grandmother, Anna Agnes Anthony McLeod Jacobs
Homemade treasures are a wonderful way to connect the generations. They allow us to keep our family’s story alive. Many items made by our family members and ancestors were simply the act of necessity. When I was growing up, my mother made most of my clothes. This was the only way that we could have new things. I have fond recollections of going shopping to select the latest pattern and the best fabric for that particular outfit. The memories are priceless. Additionally, I absolutely enjoy the creativity that my family expressed through these homemade creations.
Our Quilts
The first quilt was made by Grandma Coble, the second was made by Sally Coble, and the third one was a wedding gift made by Edna Hames, Sandy’s mother. The last two are Amish quilts.
Gary’s paternal grandmother loved to sew and share her creations with family.
Grandma Coble
Gary’s maternal grandparents were also very creative.
Created by Charles Huber
Created by Josephine Huber
Gary’s mother is also extremely talented. She turned her lifelong hobby into a business and sells at bazaars and sells online at her Etsy store.
Created by Georgene Coble
Often, homemade items commemorate special events. We were very fortunate to help Pa, Gary’s maternal grandfather, celebrate his 100th birthday. A special memory of that day was a unique memory quilt created for this momentous occasion.
Many of my ancestors exhibited strength in the face of adversity. There were those who fought in wars because they supported the causes and wanted a better world for their progeny. There were those who immigrated from other countries or migrated to other parts of the country hoping to provide a better life for their families. (I’ve identified 11 ancestors in my grandparents’ chart who immigrated to America in the 1600s. Anthony Colby is the first ancestor of mine that I can definitively track as arriving in 1630.) There were those who managed to eke out a living by farming in harsh conditions. There were those who survived economic collapse and physical hardships. There were the women who put family first and took care of the home while raising multiple children often after suffering the loss of other children.
Some examples of these ancestors are:
Ninian Beall – from captured Scottish loyalist to indentured servant to landowner and businessman to commander to founding father to elected government official
Frances Bennett Watkins Lloyd – a widow who questioned British Law in the Virginia colony that stated that her widow’s dower became the property of her new marriage; when she remarried she insisted that her new husband give land to her son so that she could provide for her son
Thomas McElroy – born in Drummore, Ireland in 1751; immigrated from Ulster to Drumore, Pennsylvania in 1751; enlisted in the American Revolutionary in 1776; was refused a Revolutionary War pension because he was a wagoner during the war which was not considered military service
Maria Christina Schaefer Schmidt – immigrated from Germany; she gave birth to 18 children; when she died at the age of 59, ten of her children were still living
Anthony Colby – willing to suffer hardship in order to pursue his beliefs
The Strength of One’s Convictions
It was 1630 and Anthony Colby (my 9th great grandfather) decided to leave Horbling, Lincolnshire, England and the parish where his family had lived for centuries. As a Puritan, Anthony strongly adhered to the position that the Church of England desperately needed change; he believed that the reforms that had already occurred were not extreme enough and that it bore too much resemblance to Catholicism (PBS). In addition, since the king of England was head of both the church and the country, Anthony had a problem with the political situation. Anthony was part of the Great Puritan Migration and joined Governor John Winthrop in his quest to settle Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Anthony Colby set sail for the New World in 1630 with the Winthrop Fleet, most likely on the ship “Arbella” in the first wave of ships. This journey was very difficult. “For seventy-five days the ship sailed westward through gales, cold, fog, and fair weather.” Many passengers suffered greatly. They “were confined to narrow quarters, lived on short rations, and were without the common conveniences of life (“Great Migration”).
Life did not immediately improve for the Puritans after they arrived. Anthony continued to live aboard the “Arbella” for four months until housing could be build. Within the first year, approximately 200 of the 700 or so Puritans who were part of this migration died. Nonetheless, according to Governor John Winthrop those Puritans who “lived properly, maintained a true faith, and upheld God’s ways would be blessed and their example would inspire others (Brooks).” Anthony Colby and the other Puritans were finally free to worship as they pleased (though they were not known for their tolerance of other religions) and developed a reputation for being hard workers.
As an early settler of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Anthony is listed at number 93 in the records of the First Church of Boston (“Anthony Colby” Macy-Colby House).
Anthony married Susannah and they had seven children. Their daughter Rebecca who was born in 1643 was my 8th great grandmother.
Anthony Colby received land and become known as a planter as well as a sawmill owner. Anthony was one of the founders of Amesbury. His strong convictions continued as he worked incessantly to have the new settlement at Amesbury separated from the town of Salisbury and become its own town. He continued to stand up for what he believed. “Anthony seems to have been able to speak his mind; in 1639 he was fined 1 shilling for being ‘disorderly’ in a town meeting. (“Anthony Colby” Macy Colby House).”
Gaining Strength from our Ancestors’ Stories
Learning about our ancestors’ lives can help us make connections. We can gain strength from their struggles and survival. “While history helps us understand the present by knowing the past, family history makes that past personal. Understanding what they experienced, and what they did, better helps you understand yourself (Copeland).” We can use our strength to forge our own paths.
Sources
“Anthony Colby.” Anthony Colby Born 1605 , The Macy-Colby House Amesbury MA, https://www.macycolbyhouse.org/Anthony-Colby/.
“Anthony Colby.” WikiTree, 6 Mar. 2021, https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Colby-38.
Brooks, Rebecca Beatrice. “The Great Puritan Migration.” History of Massachusetts Blog, 16 May 2021, https://historyofmassachusetts.org/the-great-puritan-migration/.
Copeland, Libby. Genealogy Provides the Strength to Persevere. Psychology Today, 13 Apr. 2020, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-lost-family/202004/genealogy-provides-the-strength-persevere.
“Great Migration: Passengers of the Arbella, 1630 Genealogy Project.” geni_family_tree, geni_family_tree, https://www.geni.com/projects/Great-Migration-Passengers-of-the-Arbella-1630/5754.
“People and Ideas: Early American Groups.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/godinamerica-early-american-groups/.
We inherit from our ancestors gifts so often taken for granted. Each of us contains within, this inheritance of soul. We are links between the ages, containing past and present expectations, sacred memories and future promise. – Edward Sellner
2021 has been a challenge. My mother passed away on February 26, 2021 after a lingering illness and a horrific fall that she never recovered from. COVID still looms and leaves us with a lot of uncertainty. Life is not always easy nor is the path always well defined. Amidst this, I am able to find much to be thankful for.
I’ve spent a lot of time on genealogical research this year. My study of genealogy has made me more understanding and less judgmental of ancestors and relatives. I’m grateful for the sacrifices, opportunities, and perseverance of past generations. I’m thankful that I have discovered so many stories of my ancestors. It has been incredibly interesting and rewarding. I truly feel like I’ve gotten to know many of them. “Everyone’s life is worth remembering. (Mattson).” I feel honored that I am able to memorialize many of these stories for present and future generations. We are who we are today because of the past as well as our own choices, decisions, and actions.
I am thankful for growing up in the family that I did. Even though we were financially poor, I was given the gift of a loving family that focused on family and church. They instilled in me the value of living a simple life and encouraged a strong work ethic.
I don’t have a bucket list. My life has far exceeded what I ever dreamed was possible when I was young. I’m very fortunate to have married a man who has the same intrinsic values that I have. We support and encourage each other and enjoy spending time together. We have had the opportunity to travel (seriously, growing up I never imagined that I would go to Europe multiple times – I never envisioned that it would ever be feasible) and continue to enjoy many special adventures.
I am thankful that I am where I am at this point in life. After a combined 75 years as teachers, Gary and I were able to retire earlier than we expected. I am really glad that we were already retired when COVID hit and changed the educational landscape overnight. It would have been particularly difficult for Gary because as a middle school band director his program was totally hands-on and required in-person interaction.
Upon retirement, we made the decision to downsize, sell our California house, and move to Las Vegas. We like the desert (we are not fans of humidity) and Las Vegas offered a world class airport and tons of entertainment options. We found a house in a 55+ community with a nice clubhouse and activities that we can choose (or not) to participate in. Our house is perfect for us and provides the opportunity to age in place. It is one story (when we built our California house, it was my dream from childhood to have a two-story house) and we went from 2600 square feet to 1550. We have all solid surfaces, grab bars already installed, an open floor plan, and a wonderful outdoor patio with outdoor kitchen and two fire pits. One of my great pleasures is to sit outside and enjoy a beverage while reading my latest novel.
Sources
Estes, Roberta, and Vivian Cox Hall on November 21. “Thankfulness Recipe.” DNAeXplained – Genetic Genealogy, 23 July 2019, https://dna-explained.com/2018/11/21/thankfulness-recipe/.
Joan Griffis August, et al. “15 Genealogy Quotes We Love.” Family History Daily, 5 May 2018, https://familyhistorydaily.com/family-history/15-genealogy-quotes-love/.
Mattson, Bonnie. “The Gratitude That Comes from Family History.” The Family History Guide Blog, 16 Jan. 2019, http://www.thefhguide.com/blog/the-gratitude-that-comes-from-family-history/.
