CHRISTMAS

Like all youngsters as a young boy I was full of anticipation of Christmas. My mother would take me downtown Boston to view the displays in the Filene’s and Jordan Marsh windows. The two stores tried to outdo each other. I pressed my nose to the glass and studied each of the figures on display .What pure joy. I would have stayed there for hours except my mother had another destination for me. That destination was the top floor of Jordan Marsh. There they had laid out a small village of figures which we all know now as the “Enchanted Village.”Wow! Each turn brought into view a different set of characters. My favorite was the post office clerk stamping the mail. After finishing the village you got to sit on Santa’s lap for a picture. Then his elf would give you a toy which today we would consider a throwaway. But then it was a gift directly from Santa. Who could ask for anything more. That was 75 years ago.The sights and sounds of Downtown Boston are vivid to me today as if it occurred yesterday. What a wonderful and joyful feeling. MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone.