In the early 80's we experienced an economic recession similar to what we are experienceing now. The closing of International Harvestar and Firestone affected our family as well as our closest friends, but to a kid we never knew the difference. What we did know, however, is that it was winter and from January to April we all prayed for the possibilities of snow. The simplest whisper of the word would have every child's eyes glued to Dave Brown's forecast. The very idea of getting out of school to spend a day of play in a winter wonderland was enough to drive a kid mad.
One particular winter the rumors proved to be true. There was a front coming out of the West with a small chance of early morning flurries. The always pesimisic Dave Brown with his "no accumilation" speech lingered in our heads that night as we went to bed. What we woke up to, on the other hand, was that of a blanket of snow. I ran into the living room as the list of school closings were being read off. Mason County schools closed, Memphis City schools closed.....My lesson in alphabetical order was paying off because I knew that are county was coming up, and finally, "Shelby County schools closed." A rush of excitement and adventure filled my mind as I hurried to get dress for my snow day.
Given the layoffs times were tough, but my family, the Sparks, and the Luhms always stuck together and a snow day was no different. We all gathered what little food we had and met at the Luhm's house on Oakhurst. Out of the three represented familes we cooked up a smorgusborg of Chili, hotdogs, soup, sandwiches, and other snack items. We had our very own recession proof Snow Party. After stuffing our faces we managed to dress ourselves in as many layors of clothing as possible and headed outside. There were six of us kids along with my dad, Mr. Otto, and Mr. Steve. We played football, made snow men, and had snow ball fights. The dads would hook up all of our sleds to Mr. Otto's lawn mower and pull us around the yard like a train while trying to shake us off. Oakhurst Rd. is famous for its hills which made for some perfect down hill sledding. All in all we did a pretty good job of unmasking that white powder and revealing the ground below.
Finally we would all make our way back inside, peel off the mounds of wet clothing, endulge in some oh so perfect hot chocolate, and reminence on the fun we'd just had.
Looking back what made that day so special wasn't the fact that it snowed. We could've easily stayed at home and done our own thing. It wasn't just another day off from school. What made this day so special was that regardless of the situation my parents and their friends were in, they wanted us kids to enjoy the magic of a snow day just as they once did. They wanted to celebrate this day of hope in a time of the unknown. I am so thankful that our parents saw hope instead of despair, and as an outcome we experienced another outstanding childhood memory.
-Steve Childress
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
FBC Millington
I have been very blessed to be born into a family that took my brother and I to church consistantly. I have been a member of First Baptist Church Millington for 30 years now. I often tell people that I was born on a Thursday and in my momma's arms at FBC that next Sunday. Needless to say FBC has played a major part in my life.
First Baptist Church Millington has always been a pillar in the Millington community. During the Naval days the church openned its doors to the young men, women, and their families and provided a temporary church home for them until their leave was called. I am not sure why my parents chose FBC Millington prior to my birth but I am convinced they made a wise choice.
I accedpted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at age 6 as my mom led me to the Lord. Bro. Paul, children's mininster at that time, helped nourish this new salvation all through out my elementary school days in children's church. My love for Christ really didn't flourish until I first entered into the Youth group at age 12. My 7th grade year was the first year for our new music minister Bro. Rusty Eason. I started singing in the youth choir and immediately took a love for music. Bro. Rusty and I really developed a relationship there because we were both starting in unfamiliar waters at the same time and he and I developed a lasting friendship. Bro. Rusty is extremely talented and can play practically every instrument. He encouraged me to start playing guitar and so I did. Around my freshmen year of high school I started leading praise and worship for the FBC Youth group and really felt God leading more into a music ministry role.
First Baptist Church gave me a great foundation in music by being plugged into the choirs and occasional solos. I was mentored by many great people in the church as well as many great teachers. Through music I was able to land scholarships to the University of Memphis in Vocal Performace as well as continued to stay involved in FBC's College and Career. I led the prasie and worship in College and Career and continued to play anywhere and everywhere that would have me. There in College and Career I met, dated, and married my wife. We were married in June of 2002
at First Baptist.
We continued to be plugged into the music ministry as well as various other leadership ministries at FBC. Five years later we were blessed with our first born. She was dedicated at FBC in the Spring of 2007. Its funny to know that some of the same people who now have my daugter in the nursery cared for me when I was in the nursery many years ago.
Throughout all of these experiences at First Baptist there was my pastor Bro. Ray Newcomb. Brother Ray dedicated me as a baby when I was born, baptized me at age 6, baptized my wife, married my wife and me, and dedicated our daughter not to long ago. Bro. Ray had been my only pastor for 30 years up until his retirement in May of 2009. He is a truly remarkable man of God and this community has been blessed to have him.
Pastor David Leavell was voted in to be the new senior pastor this past fall. I have had several oppertunities to sit down and talk with Pastor David and I am extremely excited to see God work through this man. He has a heart for the Lord, he believes the bible is God's true word, and he has a great plan for First Baptist and the North Shelby, South Tipton communities.
God has truly blessed this church as well as my upbringing in the church. If you are new to the community, or have lived here your entire life and looking for a church home I highly recommend First Baptist Church. I am so thankful that part of God's plan for my life was to be cemented into a church like First Baptist Millington.
-Steve Childress
First Baptist Church Millington has always been a pillar in the Millington community. During the Naval days the church openned its doors to the young men, women, and their families and provided a temporary church home for them until their leave was called. I am not sure why my parents chose FBC Millington prior to my birth but I am convinced they made a wise choice.
I accedpted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at age 6 as my mom led me to the Lord. Bro. Paul, children's mininster at that time, helped nourish this new salvation all through out my elementary school days in children's church. My love for Christ really didn't flourish until I first entered into the Youth group at age 12. My 7th grade year was the first year for our new music minister Bro. Rusty Eason. I started singing in the youth choir and immediately took a love for music. Bro. Rusty and I really developed a relationship there because we were both starting in unfamiliar waters at the same time and he and I developed a lasting friendship. Bro. Rusty is extremely talented and can play practically every instrument. He encouraged me to start playing guitar and so I did. Around my freshmen year of high school I started leading praise and worship for the FBC Youth group and really felt God leading more into a music ministry role.
First Baptist Church gave me a great foundation in music by being plugged into the choirs and occasional solos. I was mentored by many great people in the church as well as many great teachers. Through music I was able to land scholarships to the University of Memphis in Vocal Performace as well as continued to stay involved in FBC's College and Career. I led the prasie and worship in College and Career and continued to play anywhere and everywhere that would have me. There in College and Career I met, dated, and married my wife. We were married in June of 2002
at First Baptist.
We continued to be plugged into the music ministry as well as various other leadership ministries at FBC. Five years later we were blessed with our first born. She was dedicated at FBC in the Spring of 2007. Its funny to know that some of the same people who now have my daugter in the nursery cared for me when I was in the nursery many years ago.
Throughout all of these experiences at First Baptist there was my pastor Bro. Ray Newcomb. Brother Ray dedicated me as a baby when I was born, baptized me at age 6, baptized my wife, married my wife and me, and dedicated our daughter not to long ago. Bro. Ray had been my only pastor for 30 years up until his retirement in May of 2009. He is a truly remarkable man of God and this community has been blessed to have him.
Pastor David Leavell was voted in to be the new senior pastor this past fall. I have had several oppertunities to sit down and talk with Pastor David and I am extremely excited to see God work through this man. He has a heart for the Lord, he believes the bible is God's true word, and he has a great plan for First Baptist and the North Shelby, South Tipton communities.
God has truly blessed this church as well as my upbringing in the church. If you are new to the community, or have lived here your entire life and looking for a church home I highly recommend First Baptist Church. I am so thankful that part of God's plan for my life was to be cemented into a church like First Baptist Millington.
-Steve Childress
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Ms. Brown
Throughout my 30 years of life there has been countless number of people who have sculpted me and had an impact on the man I am today. One of these courageous people to take on a project like myself was Ms. Brown. Ms. Brown has been in the education system for quite sometime. She worked at Sky View when my mom was in school there and later taught first grade at Lucy Elementary. Ms. Brown's husband Mr. Bill was a retired railroad man and both lived down the street from us in Lucy.
We became really good friends with the Browns. We would always go over to there house in the summer and play. Mr. Brown had a room in the house that had a pool table and pinball machines. The only other place that had pinball machines then was Mazzio's but we'll save that for a later article. Every Halloween we always made an effort to trick-or-treat at the Browns because we always received candied apples and caramel popcorn. They attended most of the community events we did as well as attended First Baptist with us every Sunday.
Up until my first grade year at Lucy Elementary I only associated Ms. Brown with pinball machines and caramel popcorn. Then I got to know her on a full term basis when she became my first grade teacher. First grade was a memorable year for me and this sweet lady got to experience every step of it with me. This was the year that I started to lose several of my baby teeth. Ms. Brown had a chart that showed what students had lost teeth as a mile marker into our childhood. This was the year when we were all gathered into the cafeteria to watch the space shuttle Challenger make its historic voyage on live TV but sadly exploded upon liftoff. I remember the class being full of questions of what we'd just seen and Ms. Brown calmly explaining to us how God allows things to happen to fulfill a greater plan. Now don't think that just because Ms. Brown and I were friends that she let me off when I acted up. I remember pulling the chair out from underneath my friend Justin and he fell to the floor. I was sent to the principle's office for that one. She was also one of the first to notice my A.D.D. kicking in around April and I would be in la la land until the last day of school. Of course back then we weren't administered medication for this we were administered the concept of "work harder or get left behind".
Six years later my little brother also had Ms. Brown as his first grade teacher. Will would always miss his family during school so mom gave him a picture of all of us to carry around. One day they were on a bathroom break and he was carrying that picture around with him, and Ms. Brown asked him "Will, do you want me to hold your picture for you while you go to the restroom". With typical Childress fashion Will responded "No maim' Ms. Brown I have an extra hand".
Later on when I was in high school and involved in choirs I had the pleasure of singing a duet with Ms. Brown in our churches Christmas play. We walked down the aisle singing "Walking in a Winter Wonderland". My most memorable memory of Ms. Brown wasn't at her house in the summer or any of my first grade experiences, but my senior year at Millington. I received a graduation present from her that made my heart skip a beat when I opened it. She had saved a letter I had written when I was in first grade on the old wide rule paper that read "I luv Ms. Brown. I luv to read and write. I like dogs to." It wasn't a master piece but the fact that she had saved that letter for twelve years and presented it to me at my graduation was one of the greatest gifts I've ever received. I am blessed to have people like Ms. Brown in my life, and I'm sure you have your Ms. Browns to. Let them know how much you love and appreciate everything they've ever done for you.
-Steve Childress
We became really good friends with the Browns. We would always go over to there house in the summer and play. Mr. Brown had a room in the house that had a pool table and pinball machines. The only other place that had pinball machines then was Mazzio's but we'll save that for a later article. Every Halloween we always made an effort to trick-or-treat at the Browns because we always received candied apples and caramel popcorn. They attended most of the community events we did as well as attended First Baptist with us every Sunday.
Up until my first grade year at Lucy Elementary I only associated Ms. Brown with pinball machines and caramel popcorn. Then I got to know her on a full term basis when she became my first grade teacher. First grade was a memorable year for me and this sweet lady got to experience every step of it with me. This was the year that I started to lose several of my baby teeth. Ms. Brown had a chart that showed what students had lost teeth as a mile marker into our childhood. This was the year when we were all gathered into the cafeteria to watch the space shuttle Challenger make its historic voyage on live TV but sadly exploded upon liftoff. I remember the class being full of questions of what we'd just seen and Ms. Brown calmly explaining to us how God allows things to happen to fulfill a greater plan. Now don't think that just because Ms. Brown and I were friends that she let me off when I acted up. I remember pulling the chair out from underneath my friend Justin and he fell to the floor. I was sent to the principle's office for that one. She was also one of the first to notice my A.D.D. kicking in around April and I would be in la la land until the last day of school. Of course back then we weren't administered medication for this we were administered the concept of "work harder or get left behind".
Six years later my little brother also had Ms. Brown as his first grade teacher. Will would always miss his family during school so mom gave him a picture of all of us to carry around. One day they were on a bathroom break and he was carrying that picture around with him, and Ms. Brown asked him "Will, do you want me to hold your picture for you while you go to the restroom". With typical Childress fashion Will responded "No maim' Ms. Brown I have an extra hand".
Later on when I was in high school and involved in choirs I had the pleasure of singing a duet with Ms. Brown in our churches Christmas play. We walked down the aisle singing "Walking in a Winter Wonderland". My most memorable memory of Ms. Brown wasn't at her house in the summer or any of my first grade experiences, but my senior year at Millington. I received a graduation present from her that made my heart skip a beat when I opened it. She had saved a letter I had written when I was in first grade on the old wide rule paper that read "I luv Ms. Brown. I luv to read and write. I like dogs to." It wasn't a master piece but the fact that she had saved that letter for twelve years and presented it to me at my graduation was one of the greatest gifts I've ever received. I am blessed to have people like Ms. Brown in my life, and I'm sure you have your Ms. Browns to. Let them know how much you love and appreciate everything they've ever done for you.
-Steve Childress
A Firefighter's Christmas
Growing up we didn't have a routine Christmas tradition with the immediate family due to my dad's work schedule. My dad has been a City of Memphis Firefighter for nearly 26 years now. Having a firefighter as a dad was pretty much like having a whole other family. There's a sense of camaraderie with firefighters where we all knew each other and kept up with each others families. My dad not only loves his job but has developed a real passion for helping others through the fire department.
If you are unfamiliar with a firefighters schedule I will enlighten you. A typical firefighter will work 24hrs on and 24hrs off for 4 consecutive days then have 4 consecutive days off. So planning holidays around this kind of schedule was never really difficult as long as everyone was flexible to understand the reasons behind it.
There have been many a Christmas mourn when mom and dad would wake my brother and me up at 4:00 in the mourning so we can celebrate Christmas as a family before dad had to leave for the station at 6:00am. My brother and I never had a problem with this because number one, we get to see what Santa brought us, and number two we knew Christmas without dad wouldn't be complete. It was a little painful however when dad was getting off work on Christmas day and we had to wait till he got home at 8:00am to open presents. Still the same principles applied.
As my brother and I got older and moved into different stages of life dad did as well by following a tradition of veteran leadership with in the fire department. Dad started covering morning shifts for the younger firefighters with young kids so they can enjoy their family Christmas. I admire that in a firefighter and I especially know these younger privates appreciate it as well. My dad always made plenty of time for his family given his profession. I can honestly say that my dad has always been there for me. The sacrifices my family made to be together when I was child made such an impact on me that I have adopted the same to spend every moment I can with my young family.
This Christmas I want you to think about your local firefighters and police as they serve and protect so you can enjoy your family Christmas. One of the benefits working on Christmas day at the fire department was the out pouring of the community bringing small gifts and food to their local stations. When family couldn't be present, the community was.
Merry Christmas,
-Steve Childress
If you are unfamiliar with a firefighters schedule I will enlighten you. A typical firefighter will work 24hrs on and 24hrs off for 4 consecutive days then have 4 consecutive days off. So planning holidays around this kind of schedule was never really difficult as long as everyone was flexible to understand the reasons behind it.
There have been many a Christmas mourn when mom and dad would wake my brother and me up at 4:00 in the mourning so we can celebrate Christmas as a family before dad had to leave for the station at 6:00am. My brother and I never had a problem with this because number one, we get to see what Santa brought us, and number two we knew Christmas without dad wouldn't be complete. It was a little painful however when dad was getting off work on Christmas day and we had to wait till he got home at 8:00am to open presents. Still the same principles applied.
As my brother and I got older and moved into different stages of life dad did as well by following a tradition of veteran leadership with in the fire department. Dad started covering morning shifts for the younger firefighters with young kids so they can enjoy their family Christmas. I admire that in a firefighter and I especially know these younger privates appreciate it as well. My dad always made plenty of time for his family given his profession. I can honestly say that my dad has always been there for me. The sacrifices my family made to be together when I was child made such an impact on me that I have adopted the same to spend every moment I can with my young family.
This Christmas I want you to think about your local firefighters and police as they serve and protect so you can enjoy your family Christmas. One of the benefits working on Christmas day at the fire department was the out pouring of the community bringing small gifts and food to their local stations. When family couldn't be present, the community was.
Merry Christmas,
-Steve Childress
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Emmanuel, God with Us
This is a special article for me ,but bare with me as I stray from the norm and discuss what is truly important to me this season. Christmas has a meaning for every person. Christmas can mean a time with family, childhood magic, Santa Clause, and presents. It can also bring grief in the loss of a loved one, stress of providing a Christmas for your kids, debt, and in a lot of cases loneliness. I want to take advantage of this platform I've been given and simply share the "True Meaning" of Christmas. The best way I can tell this story is straight from the book of Luke.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married him and was expecting a child. While they were there the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest." NIV Luke 2:1-14
Max Lucado directed a movie called "The Christmas Child" that had one of the best meanings of Christmas I had ever heard. Every year at this time we gather as friends and family. We remember who we are, what we have, and what we've lost. Christmas is so much more than a touching story or some nostalgic holiday fairy tale. It is in fact a reminder of the most amazing reality. That God came, and God spoke. Peace on earth God is with us. And the God who spoke still speaks and the God who came still comes. This is the true miracle of Christmas. As we go through this real world and our real lives full of problems and questions, past hurts, and future hopes. God is with us.
God is with you. He is the hope you are looking for. God sent his son Jesus so that we might be forgiven for our sins and by accepting Him and believing that He came, He died, and He rose again you can have a place in heaven for all eternity. I can't imagine heaven without you. Will you accept God's gift today?
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married him and was expecting a child. While they were there the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest." NIV Luke 2:1-14
Max Lucado directed a movie called "The Christmas Child" that had one of the best meanings of Christmas I had ever heard. Every year at this time we gather as friends and family. We remember who we are, what we have, and what we've lost. Christmas is so much more than a touching story or some nostalgic holiday fairy tale. It is in fact a reminder of the most amazing reality. That God came, and God spoke. Peace on earth God is with us. And the God who spoke still speaks and the God who came still comes. This is the true miracle of Christmas. As we go through this real world and our real lives full of problems and questions, past hurts, and future hopes. God is with us.
God is with you. He is the hope you are looking for. God sent his son Jesus so that we might be forgiven for our sins and by accepting Him and believing that He came, He died, and He rose again you can have a place in heaven for all eternity. I can't imagine heaven without you. Will you accept God's gift today?
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Christmas Box
One of my favorite Christmas memories involved my big imagination and the endless possibilities of a particular present. I tell this story so much my wife just rolls her eyes every time I start out with "One Christmas I...." and she always knows whats going to follow.
When you are 8 years old you have a huge imagination, and mine was no different. Mike, Stevie, and I were always playing some kind of war games or reenactment. A piece of PVC pipe would become a semi-automatic rifle, a big piece of PVC would become a rocket launcher. We could find any object and find some kind of military use for it. That Christmas I had my mind set that I needed a big cardboard box. I wasn't talking about a grocery box I wanted a refrigerator size box. A box of this size could be transformed into a variety of military uses such as a tank, command center, jet, or submarine. The possibilities were endless. I wrote my letter to Santa explaining what I wanted, sat on his lap at the Enchanted Forest (because everyone knew that was the real Santa), and after questionable looks from Santa and my parents my point had been made.
Christmas morning arrived and as usual my brother and I ran into the living room to see what Santa had brought. There against the wall stood the tallest box I had ever seen. To an 8 year old it appeared to be as tall as the tree but of course it wasn't. I felt around the sturdy walls of cardboard and even though I couldn't see over the top I could only imagine how much space was inside. The box was perfect! I stood back and my imagination kicked in full gear of all of the adventures I could have in this wonderful gift before me. In my moment of happiness something caught my attention. I noticed my little brother playing with all of the toys Santa had brought him. I'm not sure how Santa brought you gifts but he always left ours unwrapped for us to see when we first got up. Will is having a blast playing with his new firetruck and the rest of the toys he had pulled around him. I started looking around for the toys that I thought Santa had brought me and there were none to be found. I walked around my big box thinking they might been behind it but nothing was there. My heart sank and I felt a lump develop in my throat thinking surely this isn't all I got from Santa? My mind was racing as I thought about what else I had asked for and I was drawing blanks. I was so focused on my big box that it consumed me to the point that I never mentioned any other toys.
By this time mom and had crawled out of bed to begin our family Christmas. My dad saw the disappointment in my already watered eyes. He asked if everything was ok and I explained to him about my giant dilemma. He confirmed that the box is what I had asked for where I sheepishly replied "yes sir". My dad gave me hug, picked me up, and walked me over to the box. There inside the box was a mountain of toys from Santa to me. I learned a valuable lesson that Christmas that still relates to life today. We can be so focused on our plans and goals that we can easily miss the blessings we encounter along the way.
Merry Christmas.
-Steve Childress
When you are 8 years old you have a huge imagination, and mine was no different. Mike, Stevie, and I were always playing some kind of war games or reenactment. A piece of PVC pipe would become a semi-automatic rifle, a big piece of PVC would become a rocket launcher. We could find any object and find some kind of military use for it. That Christmas I had my mind set that I needed a big cardboard box. I wasn't talking about a grocery box I wanted a refrigerator size box. A box of this size could be transformed into a variety of military uses such as a tank, command center, jet, or submarine. The possibilities were endless. I wrote my letter to Santa explaining what I wanted, sat on his lap at the Enchanted Forest (because everyone knew that was the real Santa), and after questionable looks from Santa and my parents my point had been made.
Christmas morning arrived and as usual my brother and I ran into the living room to see what Santa had brought. There against the wall stood the tallest box I had ever seen. To an 8 year old it appeared to be as tall as the tree but of course it wasn't. I felt around the sturdy walls of cardboard and even though I couldn't see over the top I could only imagine how much space was inside. The box was perfect! I stood back and my imagination kicked in full gear of all of the adventures I could have in this wonderful gift before me. In my moment of happiness something caught my attention. I noticed my little brother playing with all of the toys Santa had brought him. I'm not sure how Santa brought you gifts but he always left ours unwrapped for us to see when we first got up. Will is having a blast playing with his new firetruck and the rest of the toys he had pulled around him. I started looking around for the toys that I thought Santa had brought me and there were none to be found. I walked around my big box thinking they might been behind it but nothing was there. My heart sank and I felt a lump develop in my throat thinking surely this isn't all I got from Santa? My mind was racing as I thought about what else I had asked for and I was drawing blanks. I was so focused on my big box that it consumed me to the point that I never mentioned any other toys.
By this time mom and had crawled out of bed to begin our family Christmas. My dad saw the disappointment in my already watered eyes. He asked if everything was ok and I explained to him about my giant dilemma. He confirmed that the box is what I had asked for where I sheepishly replied "yes sir". My dad gave me hug, picked me up, and walked me over to the box. There inside the box was a mountain of toys from Santa to me. I learned a valuable lesson that Christmas that still relates to life today. We can be so focused on our plans and goals that we can easily miss the blessings we encounter along the way.
Merry Christmas.
-Steve Childress
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Christmas Tree Larry's
Once the Thanksgiving turkey had been consumed, and we said goodbye to our families it almost seemed like we switch gears into Christmas mode all in the same weekend. The fall decor comes down and is replaced by nativity scenes, sleigh bells, and wreaths. The kick off to our Christmas season always began with our annual trip to Christmas Tree Larry's. Mom would bundle my brother and I up and we would pile up into my dad's copper colored Nissan pickup truck. My dad would put in a cassette that came to be known as the soundtrack to every childhood Christmas I had. Kenny and Dolly's "Christmas to Remember" album would set the mood as my brother and I eagerly awaited to pick out that most special tree that would grace our living room that Christmas.
Christmas Tree Larry's was a beautiful tree farm with hills, Forest, and a good size lake. We would grab our saw and set off to hundreds of trees looking for the best one in the bunch. We would spend hours it seemed looking at the heights, shapes, and texture of each tree. We would shake them to see how many needles fell from it, check the truck to see if it were sturdy enough, and of course, although he was trying to hide it, my dad was eye balling price tags. Once we found the tree we desired it was time to cut it down. Now the razor sharp saw was always intimidating to use, but my dad always let me have the first go at it. After I made several markings on the trunk he took over and cut it down with ease. My dad, brother, and I would all do our part in carrying the tree back to the checkout station while mom followed behind laughing at how silly we all looked. Once we got to the checkout station the workers would string the tree through a net while Mr. Larry himself entertained my brother and I with his Christmas Tree Larry coloring books.
After unloading the tree and transferring Kenny and Dolly to the home stereo we mounted the tree in the corner and began decorating. We would spend all afternoon decorating the tree and house, replaying the music over and over again until we had transformed our little home into a Christmas paradise.
Christmas Tree Larry's was a magical place for my family and many other families in the Millington area. The memories Mr. Larry gave us and the fact that he took the time to give my brother and I a special gift was a testament to his character. Later, my senior year, I had Mr. Larry's wife as my English teacher. It was nice to hear her stories of the families Mr. Larry touched with their little tree farm. Mr. Larry has since passed but the Christmas memories he's left behind, and in the hearts of so many people will live on forever.
Years later, after Shannon and I had been married, Shannon gave me gift that literally brought tears to my eyes. I peeled open the wrapping paper and there sat in my hand was a CD of Kenny and Dolly's "Christmas to Remember".
-Steve Childress
Christmas Tree Larry's was a beautiful tree farm with hills, Forest, and a good size lake. We would grab our saw and set off to hundreds of trees looking for the best one in the bunch. We would spend hours it seemed looking at the heights, shapes, and texture of each tree. We would shake them to see how many needles fell from it, check the truck to see if it were sturdy enough, and of course, although he was trying to hide it, my dad was eye balling price tags. Once we found the tree we desired it was time to cut it down. Now the razor sharp saw was always intimidating to use, but my dad always let me have the first go at it. After I made several markings on the trunk he took over and cut it down with ease. My dad, brother, and I would all do our part in carrying the tree back to the checkout station while mom followed behind laughing at how silly we all looked. Once we got to the checkout station the workers would string the tree through a net while Mr. Larry himself entertained my brother and I with his Christmas Tree Larry coloring books.
After unloading the tree and transferring Kenny and Dolly to the home stereo we mounted the tree in the corner and began decorating. We would spend all afternoon decorating the tree and house, replaying the music over and over again until we had transformed our little home into a Christmas paradise.
Christmas Tree Larry's was a magical place for my family and many other families in the Millington area. The memories Mr. Larry gave us and the fact that he took the time to give my brother and I a special gift was a testament to his character. Later, my senior year, I had Mr. Larry's wife as my English teacher. It was nice to hear her stories of the families Mr. Larry touched with their little tree farm. Mr. Larry has since passed but the Christmas memories he's left behind, and in the hearts of so many people will live on forever.
Years later, after Shannon and I had been married, Shannon gave me gift that literally brought tears to my eyes. I peeled open the wrapping paper and there sat in my hand was a CD of Kenny and Dolly's "Christmas to Remember".
-Steve Childress
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