Childhood December

For many years mom and dad threw a Christmas party. They fixed up huge amounts of food, and set it on the dining room table. Their dinners were traditional and delicious, while desserts related to Swedish pies and cakes. They hired an assistant who worked like mad.

In front of the guests we wore special pajamas, which were one piece from head to toe, and bright red, with openings that closed in the back. It was uncomfortable fabric. We could not use the toilet unless we took off the whole pajama and pulled it down your body. We removed those pajamas when we went to bed.

In later years Sara, Ann, and I walked to the local drug store for a light supper, so that mom and dad could prepare the house for the guests.

All of the guests were very well dressed: men wore suits (or fancy Christmas sport coats) and women wore Christmas dresses. After dinner and dessert, people would sometimes play the piano or sing songs. One doctor in particular was an excellent pianist. Dad was also a good pianist and he played songs related to Christmas, particularly Swedish music.

For many years my parents would only put up the Christmas tree and the lights when we were awake. On December 24, after we went to bed, they decorated the tree and placed their presents underneath. On Christmas Eve my parents often went over to the Perry’s house for drinks.

They forbade us to awaken them before 7 AM. Ann, Sara and I often got up quite early and were allowed to get our Christmas stockings but not view the tree. We were too excited to go back to sleep. When mom and dad got up in the morning we went downstairs to see the tree (lights turned on by dad) and all the presents. One year there was a bicycle for Ann. She was so excited and happy that she walked and ran around the house and fell into tears, and I believe she also got sick.

The parties developed over time. After a while there were two parties in December. One party was for medical people, including other faculty as well as residents. I met some of them and they were very kind. One doctor lived in a beautiful house on Lake Michigan, and he and was a prominent doctor. The other party included all of their other friends and neighbors.

A family in downtown Milwaukee invited us to a holiday party for all ages. That’s where I met a girl who liked me and who later invited me to an annual party when we were in high school. That was a delightful and beautiful experience.

One year, Ann discovered the Santa Claus presents (prior to Christmas) which were in the closet in dad’s office. I started to wonder whether Santa Claus existed.

Many years later, when I was in my psychiatry residency, Ellen and I held a Christmas party based on my parents’ party. In particular, we made the Swedish drink, which included lots of alcohol. I got very sick, and learned to be more careful with alcohol.