Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Sometimes I'm saddened by the sounds of Christmas....


I was 9 years old in 1958. My Mother sent me to the corner store when we lived in Tucson.

For bread.

I think it was about $0.50......

I can remember it was still warm for a dessert-December late afternoon.

I can remember hearing Silent Night playing. I "think" it was in the store, but it may have been later that night on TV or something.

It was the "season" after all...

But the thing that I remember so vividly is the news of a fire at a Catholic school in Chicago.

We were Catholic. We were from Chicago. It was an elementary school. I was in elementary school.

90 children died in that fire. And 3 Nuns.

NINETY elementary school children. And Nuns.

We always thought they were invincible. But they died too.

The school was Our Lady of the Angels School.

As a result of the tragedy, ordinances to strengthen Chicago's fire code and new amendments to the State fire code were passed.

Also, the National Fire Protection Association estimated that hundreds of schools across the nation were safer because communities inaugurated and completed fire safety projects after the Our Lady of the Angels loss.

But that's just a blur every time I hear Silent Night.

Maybe I felt, as a child, the night WAS silent for those children. And for the Nuns....scary silent.

Never having another Christmas.

And the parents.....my heart still hurts.

What I need to remember, instead of the loss, is that one hundred sixty children were saved that day back in 1958.....

...160

and who know how many others over the years.

And that is the miracle of Christmas - not just to remember lives lost... but the lives saved.
The "gift".....

This year, when I hear Silent Night, I am going to try, TRY to remember the 90 angels and 3 Nuns..(angels to be certain) who are watching us, knowing that their lives were not lost in vain.....

And I will try not to cry.....
-me

6 comments:

The Feathered Nest said...

What a sad story, so amazing that so many perished. Music can stir memories in us. Fragrance can too, you know? I would love to sell my little dolly trunk to you. I don't have a Paypal account, just love postal money orders...is that OK? Please email me at sewmanyroses@yahoo.com if you're still interested so I can get your address and give you mine!! xxoo, Dawn

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Dear Colleen,
How tragic! For me, it's hard to listen to "White Christmas"...my dear Dad would sing that song and when I hear it, it brings me to tears...oh how I miss him and my dear Mom.

Thank you for your kind words about the loss of my DH's "Granny"...you are so sweet!
Love, Kim

CIELO said...

Sad story that one about the fire... I think that the real miracle of Christmas is to look at life with a possitive mind...

and by the way: I love your profile picture; you look so cheerful... I'm glad I found you.

Cielo

Anonymous said...

That is sad..but as you said lives won also. My grandfather died on Christmas day. It is always so hard for my daddy. I thank God he was special enough to go on that day!

The Feathered Nest said...

Hi sweet Colleen, don't worry if you've changed your mind about the little doll trunk, I don't mind at all....xxoo, Dawn

Little Penpen said...

That is a sad story and one you will never forget. Silent Night is a beautiful song and I'm sorry it brings sad feelings for you. But all those little girls and nuns are in heaven now and wouldn't have it any other way! Heaven will be worth it all!

Wanna see what I've been up to ??

 I always wanted a dollhouse. My dad was a carpenter and was asked by one of his wealthy customers to make a dollhouse for their daughter. I...