Page 4 December 25, 2014 TORRANCE TRIBUNE Merry Christmas Later that night, I thought about the Christmas movies that run on television during this time of year. We all have our special favorites. Mine? It’s the 1946 classic, It’s a Wonderful Life with James Stewart and Donna Reed. No matter how many times I watch that movie, I choke up at the end when the townspeople arrive to help out George Bailey pay his mortgage, And of course who can forget when Clarence (played by Henry Travers) the angel gets his wings at the sound of a bell? We always had a real Christmas tree when I was little and my sister Linda and I would help my mom decorate. Usually, it was my daddy who carried the tree into the house, set it up in a stand and secured it before we began decorating. My mom is an expert decorator. She knows how a tree should be decorated so it is ‘balanced’ with ornaments. Once, my husband Dave told me when he was young, his mom got after him for ‘tossing tinsel’ on the tree. She was particular too, and took the time to hang one piece of tinsel at a time on the branches. Yikes! Do you take that much effort to decorate your tree? One memorable Christmas when I was a teenager my younger brother Tommy got sick with the mumps and my mom stayed home with him while my daddy drove Linda and I all over the southland visiting the Irene Barlough grandparents. As I recall, my mom loved that Christmas and still says it was one of her favorites because she just stayed home taking care of Tommy. I asked Tommy about that and he told me, “I remember that, that was when mom and I stayed home when I had the mumps and we watched Christmas with the King Family. It was the best Christmas ever!” Okay, now I wonder why we all didn’t stay home that Christmas evening instead of running all over the place. My favorite story at Christmastime is The Gift of the Magi, published in 1906, and written by O. Henry. I think I read it in the third grade and it made a huge impression on me. And of course, Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in the mid 1800s and the story is still as fresh and poignant as if it were written today. To make this Christmas special, I suggest doing something memorable. Giving to someone in need, sharing with family your time and love, and sharing with someone who has little. As a country, the United States gives more money to charity than any other in the entire world. Continue to help those in need and as Tiny Tim said, “God bless us, every one.” Merry Christmas! • TerriAnn in Torrance By TerriAnn Ferren Photos by TerriAnn Ferren Today is Christmas Day. Celebrated all over the world, this special holiday brings families together, traditions to a high level, and thoughts of Christmases past, present, and future to light. Exchanging gifts highlights the season and shoppers, looking for that perfect gift, have filled malls and stores. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. Mangers are a reminder of the time so long ago when even the way we mark time changed. Since it is Christmastime, I decided to ask people what Christmas means to them and how they celebrate this special day. Last Sunday afternoon, I caught up with the four members of the Barlough family and asked them what Christmas meant to them and how they celebrate the holiday. Irene, the matriarch told me, “We are going to be home for dinner.” When I asked Irene if she was cooking this Christmas she told me, “Half and half.” The menu hasn’t been established as yet and she told me she was going to discuss it with her family. The Barlough family usually has turkey or ham. “We are still finishing Thanksgiving ham and we put our tree up three weeks ago. We have a little artificial tree but I think this is the last year for it. It is a little shabby looking. [Christmas] means a lot of things [to me]. Gathering, family, just a lot of things – being together mostly,” said Irene with a tear in her eye. Son and author Dr. Jeffrey Barlough told me, “What I am going to do for Christmas is stay home and enjoy the season and it means being at home.” His brother, Gary, a composer, and musician, told me, “Number one, we are going to celebrate Christmas at our house. Secondly, what does it mean to me? Family - being together.” Ronnie, who was sitting next to Gary that evening added, “Christmas means to me, peace on earth, kindness, goodness, togetherness, and love.” And the patriarch of the Barlough family, Ernie chimed in from across the table, “Gifts I don’t have to pay for.” The next day, I asked my friend Leann what Christmas means to her and she responded, “Well, I celebrate Jesus because I believe in Jesus.” Then I asked her what she intended to do on Christmas and she told me, “I am going to be with my mom. I will give her caregiver the day off and stay with my mom. Then the next day I will go to my daughter’s house.” After listening to her, I thought about all the other unselfish people doing silent, generous, kind acts this time of year – especially on Christmas. I asked the President and CEO of the Torrance Chamber of Commerce Donna Duperron what she will be doing this Christmas and she shared, “My favorite time of the year, with family, friends, and those in need we want to help. This Christmas I plan to spend it in a very special way with our new grandson [Hezekiah] - and at the same time try to make it an extra special day for my dad, who has stage four cancer.” After listening to Donna and knowing how difficult it is when someone you love is sick, reminded me we need to celebrate each and every day. Gary Barlough and Ronnie Kovic Dr. Jeffrey and Gary Barlough Manger display on Christmas Eve (note baby Jesus is not there yet!). Donna Duperron
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