Three generations of family gathered at our house in 1998 for a Florida Christmas. Two Daltons came from Chicago, Illinois; two Longeneckers from Pennsylvania, and a bunch of Jacksonville aunts, uncles and cousins joined the group at our house in Killarney Shores twenty-seven years ago.
The two ladies from the Keystone State, both eighty years old, endured the inconvenience of security clearance at the airport in Philadelphia and then made the two-and a half hour plane trip to Jacksonville International Airport. Mother Longenecker loved citrus from Florida and was thrilled with oranges from Florida when we came to visit Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, at least once a year. But this time, Mother and Aunt Ruthie brought meat from Lancaster County.
Here, Aunt Ruthie is inspecting the cube-shaped box containing sweet bologna in its casing, two pounds of chipped beef, a pig stomach with a package of sausage to make “Dutch Goose” * and ham loaf.
Time to catch up, to visit – Mother and grand nieces, Heidi and Crista, and our son-in-law Joe, chat in our living room. Aunt Ruthie joins them later. (Grandchildren did not appear until 2003.)
One end of the table at Christmas dinner: I see a vegetable, probably green beans and also cranberry salad. * Ham loaf may have been the main dish – A baked meat dish made with ground pork and ham, spices, and topped with a sugar glaze, not low-calorie but certainly tasty if you like rich food!
* Cleaned pig’s stomach traditionally stuffed with cubed potatoes and loose pork sausage meat seasoned with pepper with finely cut parsley and baked in the oven.it
Both Ruth Longeneckers (same name, same age, houses on the same street) enjoyed the sun: Mother, had the smoothest of skin. She soaks in the sun in the Sunshine State on one of our porch chairs. Aunt Ruthie did the same, her smile broad and open.
The book Aunt Ruthie is holding is titled Living Insight, a book by Dr. Charles Swindoll.
Our son Joel and wife Sarah visited her folks in Virginia that Christmas in 1998, so they were not with us that year. Still, a book with pictures spoke for them. At the time, Joel was a student at Columbia College Chicago, pursuing a graduate degree in book and paper arts. The title of the book Mother is holding reads “Grandma and Aunt Ruthie from Joel and Sarah,” a book amply illustrated with photos.
Both ladies received books. My aunt also received a stuffed gray Schnauzer, just like her dog Fritzie back home!
Gifts flowed between the generations. Grand-daughter Heidi, here the gift-giver, plays the board game Jeopardy with her grandmother.
Then, the game switched to Wheel of Fortune, Mom playing it with my husband Cliff. Some tricky moves, I believe, may be afoot!
There was no tree at Christmas in my childhood home, and we didn’t have a television set either. My parents bought a smallish TV set after we children married and left home. After Daddy died, Mother got a somewhat larger screen and loved to play along with Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune contestants. Her grand-daughter Heidi recognized that enjoyment and bought two board games to entertain her–and anyone who cared to join them in the dining room.
In the years after 1998, we made holiday trips to Pennsylvania, where Mother and Aunt Ruthie entertained us as long as they were able. Here is my aunt’s sumptuous table in 2004. I love the circular display of the china cups.
These days, table-scapes are one way I amuse myself, taking a break from the chair behind my computer in my writing studio. Here is the view of my dining room table in 2025.
Gathering photos for this post became a nostalgic experience, a stroll down memory lane. Sometimes I felt at the point of tears as I selected photos, which Cliff photoshopped. (Thank you!) But writing text made me realize what a treasure family relationships are. The two Ruth Longeneckers are gone, but easily remembered.
And the imprint of their lives carries on through four generations.
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Good morning, Marian! What a lovely post this is! I can feel the love in these family memories. You brought tears to my eyes, too. 💙
(Lots of “fancy” table settings! 😊)
Thank you so much! You too have a close-knit family, so you understand the emotion. 😀
You’re welcome, Marian! 😊
Are you on Bluesky? I was going to share there.
Not yet.
I am on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Substack–not X anymore. Thank you!
I didn’t close my account, but I’m not on X anymore either.
What beautiful memories and photographs you have, Marian! You are truly blessed with such a large and loving family, even if some have sadly departed now. I know they will live forever in your heart and that you will have a very special Christmas with your wonderful family. Merry Christmas. ♥️
Thank you, Fatima
They do live on in my heart and mind. Merry Christmas to you and Peter! 😀
Good morning! My internet was down this morning but I got it moving again. We didn’t have to worry too much about online in 1998, did we?? Ahhh, but the photos and memories are special and I’m so thankful for the photos we have too. It has been snowy and cold, (3 inches or so) and we’ve decked out the house on the snowy days. Hoping to meet with my small group this morning but that remains to be sorted out–all of us are wary of slipping etc. Blessings!
I remember snow days and miss the beauty from the inside. I don’t relish getting out and driving in the snow though. Once I didn’t make up a hill driving in the country and slid backwards. I could have been hit broadside but I asked my brother to run up the hill and alert other drivers. Snowy days are a good excuse to deck the halls; thanks, Melodie! 😀
What wonderful memories. And look at you, you look fabulous! Both your Mom and Aunt look like they are having a great time in Florida. I remember the last time we had Mom with us for Christmas in Vancouver, such a wonderful time.
Mom and Aunt Ruthie had a wonderful time, but I don’t think they made any more trips to Florida for Christmas. Mother passed away in 2014 and Ruthie in 2017.
Thanks for sharing your own memories too, Darlene! 😀
Marian, what lovely photos. Your smile lights up any photo you’re in. How wonderful to have family home for Christmas–especially generations of your family. This Christmas I mourn the loss of my parents. But I have great memories of them.
Christmas is hard after you lose a parent. I believe it may have been your mother this year. The first major holiday after a death is especially difficult. Hugs to you, L. Marie!
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Thank you, Marian. Yes, she passed away on September 11.
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Hugs, my friends!
Strolling down memory lane is fun at our age, and you’ve made it into a visual delight, Marian! Christmas, especially, makes for nostalgia! My daughter occasionally sends photos of me with her kids years ago. I always marvel at how young we all look and how we have changed!
As you can imagine, these photos sat in an album since 1999.. Some of them were in pretty bad shape and had to be doctored up. You’re right–all of us have changed in the photos and of course the two special Ruths are no longer with us.
Thanks for noticing al this, Elfrieda! 😀
What great memories! A strong family foundation is something that we can pass on. I especially like the photos of the younger versions of Cliff and Marian. I also remembered Aunt Ruthie from Mennonite Daughter.
You say, “A strong family foundation is something that we can pass on.” You are doing exactly that in your family as well. I’m glad you remember the characters in my first memoir. They live on here, Pete! 😀
Such happy memories of a family Christmas!! Those photos are a real treasure.
Yes, some of the photos were a mess, Liz. Cliff spent a lot of time photoshopping them so they looked presentable here. Of course, I still have the originals. 😀
Love these photos, Marian, and the memories you share. And love the relish tray on the Christmas dinner table. Thank you for sharing your memories!
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I believe you are referring to the three-tiered stand with carrots, celery, and more on the Christmas dinner table. You have a good eye, Jack! 😀
It is nostalgic for me to look at picture of my mother from the past and she is still with us. It would be even harder if she were not. A lovely glimpse into your Christmases past and still to come.
Robbie, yes, it always feels nostalgic to include my mother and aunt on blog posts. Both of them had full lives, and both lived well into their nineties. I want to keep a digital record. Until now, these photos were just pictures in an album. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I wrote a comment I don’t see here. Must not have clicked the button! It was good to see those two wonderful Ruth Longeneckers again. No wonder you were a little teary looking at these! Also, you looked beautiful with that huge smile and in the color red!
You’re here now, Shirley!
Thanks for the compliment. Yes, red has always been my color, one that got me into trouble as a teacher at Lancaster Mennonite School. A maroon red, mind you! 😀
While visiting Ohio recently, my sister, Maureena took me to several Christmas bazaars and shops. It brought up the happy times we enjoyed with our late mother during the holidays. Such happy times. Merry Christmas Marian and Cliff.
I remember your sweet Mom. I recall that she was a sharp dresser too. I know you miss her, but thank God for the memories. Thanks, Bonnie! 😀
Thanks for sharing your wonderful family Christmas get-together with us Marian. Pictures are precious and worth thousands of words. Happy holidays! 🥰
Thanks, Debby.
You have accomplished so much this year, including a “grief” memoir. I hope you have some time to relax and enjoy the season, maybe with candles! 😀
Hello Marian,
Such a lovely family gathering photo.
I will try and find some of mine from days gone by.
Happy Christmas to you and yours !
LoveJoyxx
I hope you find some favorite photos Joy. If you find some, you are welcome to share some with me. Happy Christmas to you too! 😀