Forgive me for getting sentimental at Christmastime. It is something I have always done, especially as I have grown older.

I have many fond memories of growing up and celebrating Christmas with my family.

There were some lean holidays due to finances, but we always had a Christmas tree, decorations and a big dinner on Christmas Day. Mom and Dad made sure of that.

There were always treats too. Mom made homemade candy of various kinds. Of course she made a couple of desserts for the holiday dinner.

As corny as it may sound to some nowadays, we sang Christmas carols together.

When we were younger (and even as we got older) we watched the holiday shows, both animated and movies, that came on every season.

My favorites were “Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,” “The Grinch,” and, to this day, the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” (My wife Vicki and I still watch this movie every Christmas because it is our favorite.)

After you get older and have a family of your own, you realize how important it is to have your loved ones to celebrate with. As time goes on, we lose parents, siblings and others, which is the cycle of life.

Many times extended family members would make it home for a visit.

I can recall many of the special gifts Santa or my parents got me while growing up.

For some reason, the first one I can remember is a cowboy hat, complete with a two-gun holster and cap guns. I could not have been more than 3 years old. But that was a pleasant memory that is still branded into my brain.

Another year, the full-size G.I. Joe Army figures were all the craze. I wanted one so badly. My sister Karen made sure I got one of these toys. I can recall the TV commercial with its catchy jingle, “G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe, fighting man from head to toe.”

I recall getting a race track with a figure-8 track and two cars with controllers. I was probably about 10 that year. Like many other youngsters, you saw the display in the Sears store window in downtown Williamson and every boy wanted one.

Other gifts I remember are the electric vibrating football game. The younger generation has no clue how cool we thought this was. Another year I got Rockem’ Sockem’ Robots – and again kids today have no idea. They have their video games, but we had board games like Monopoly, Clue and others.

One of my fondest memories was getting a new bicycle. I was probably about 12 or 13 at that time. It was the newest kind of bike at that time. I wished for it so bad, but wasn’t sure it was going to happen.

It had the high handlebars, hand brakes on the handlebars, the banana-shaped seat. It was purple with the chrome fender. Wow, I can picture it now.

That was a lasting gift because I rode that bicycle for a few years until I got taller and outgrew it.

I know it had to be a burden on my parents to spend that kind of money for that gift. However, they always made sure we had those special gifts and treats, no matter if money was tight or not.

As you get older and have children and grandchildren of your own, you try to make their Christmas special and purchase gifts that they really want. You also realize how sometimes it is tough to pay for gifts and presents while still trying to pay monthly bills.

We need to realize that some families have it even tougher than we do.

The most important thing for me is to spend time with family. Unfortunately, as we get older so do our children and they move away. So many times they cannot make it home for the holidays. It is sad, but just a part of life. The same goes with the grandchildren. They grow up so fast and start paving their own futures and lives.

Even more importantly, we should remember the true meaning of Christmas. It is the celebration of the birth of Christ.

The true meaning of Christmas symbolizes hope, love and salvation for humanity.

I truly hope you and your family have a special Christmas this year. Make special memories with your family so one day they can look back with fondness.

Be thankful for all of the blessings we have and be kind to others.

Until next time.

(Kyle Lovern is a longtime journalist in the Tug Valley. He is now a retired freelance writer and columnist for the Mountain Citizen.)