Commun ty Matters Kansas City Presbyterian Manor
“Believe”
December 2014
Childhood Christmas Memories Put Family in Focus Norma Crum Fondly Recalls Time with Cousins during the Holidays
By President and CEO Bruce Shogren As I look forward to the holiday season, one word is key to this season: “believe.”
I truly believe in three key people: Jesus Christ, Santa Claus and the employees of the Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica system.
What could be more important than Christmas Day, the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ? I grew up in a church in which every Sunday we would state our belief by reciting the Apostles’ Creed. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen. BELIEVE continued on page 2
While some remember Christmas as a time of frilly dresses, fancy treats and far more gifts than you’d ever need, Norma Crum’s Christmas memories are simpler, and perhaps sweeter. “We had such good Christmases all the way around. Our immediate family was small, just my sister Virginia and I, but we had a big family, because my mother was one of 12 siblings. We would all gather at one of the family homes in Emporia every year. We’d rotate houses,” said Norma. “In kindergarten, we moved to Kansas City, but it was still close enough to go back every year, no matter the weather.” For Norma, Christmastime meant family time. The gifts were just an added bonus. One year, she and her sister both received bicycles, a huge surprise. “Sure, we gave gifts and got them, but that’s not really what I remember. We didn’t have much, but we had each other. The houses we’d gather at were small, but we didn’t mind. The men would gather in one room and talk, the women in another, and the children would all run around together wherever we could. My dad was a jokester, so it was always a good time when he was around,” said Norma. After she grew up and had children of her own, Norma kept the focus of Christmas on family. “I had three boys, so there was always hullabaloo and fighting, but there was lots of laughter. I now have seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren,” said Norma. As with many family get-togethers, there was more than just laughter shared around the dinner table. “Anytime we were together there was a lot of food. I can’t remember any particular traditional dishes, just a lot of good things to eat and lots of desserts,” said Norma. There is one sweet, however, that stands out as Norma recalls her childhood Christmas. “We always made fudge every year.” We hope your Christmas memories are just as sweet as Norma’s, this year, and every year!