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There is so much I miss about Christmases in Hazard, the smiling faces, handshakes, greetings like 'Christmas Gift' (how many remember that one), music from the Jaycees' booth, and snowflakes hitting me in the face. I wrote a poem so many years ago and I would like to share it as my memory of Hazard at Christmas: I worked in the Courthouse at that time in Grace Strong's Office and it was time for us to close for the day. There were benches in the hallway where people could sit and relax and lots of times get out of the weather. It was cold and bad and I was very tired. It was Christmas Eve and I wanted to get home, but that all changed when I heard a song:
Sitting on a bench with mom and dad, to get out of the cold, for it was bad. They were poorly dressed, but on each face was a smile, as they listened to the voice of their child. Her little face was dirty, her shoes ragged from wear, but she looked like an angel when I saw her there. She smiled at me and I heard her say, 'Santa 'Taus is on his way!' I left her there and walked outside, the tears in my eyes, I could not hide. The snow was falling all around, and from inside came the plaintive sound, of the voice of that child, clear and sweet, it followed me as I walked on down the street. I pulled my coat up around me there, on my lips there was a prayer. Oh, for the faith of that child so dear, may it stay with me the coming year." I go back in memory to that late Christmas eve often in my thoughts
and wonder where that little girl could be and if she ever saw Santa.
Ida Lee Hansel is a contributing writer for HazardKentucky.com. If you would like to comment on Ida's story, contact us |
It
was Christmas in Hazard and I was working late, I started to close up
for the night when something made me wait. I turned to go that
cold winter day, I opened the door and heard her say, 'Desus 'uvs me',
and I turned to see, a little girl 'bout
the age of three.