Christmas Eve and Christmas Day have always been special holidays for me. In the early years (1950- 1980) the family would gather at my Grandmother’s home on Fourth Street in Stamford Connecticut on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
My Grandmother was very religious and the meal on Christmas Eve which was a fast day consisted of fried smelt and beet soup. Bread was served but without butter or any dairy. I was miserable and wanted a hot dog. I never tasted the soup which in retrospect I probably would have loved. The featured photo shows all of us gathered round the table. I am with my Aunt Mary wearing suspender.
My Grandmother would pray in Polish for everyone in the family.After that we would share opłatek, a Christmas wafer which is broken into pieces and shared with every family member along with a wish and hug for good health in the coming year. This is a wonderful tradition which we have continued to the present day.
After dinner (or lack of hot dogs) we gathered around the piano to sing Christmas Carols. Later when some of us learned to play the guitar we added some folk music and Beatle tunes.
I loved hearing the Polish Carols but felt frustrated that I couldn’t sing along. These beautiful songs don’t get air play and I only heard them from my family until the Internet and YouTube saved the day. After the music we would open gifts from our aunts and uncles. It was a prelude to Christmas morning. It was noisy, chaotic and wonderful.
It is never too late to learn how to sing those great Polish Carols and once again YouTube has come to the rescue. Merry Christmas.
