Kevin Gangloff, director of the Orillia Youth Centre, grew up in a military family that meant Christmas was not always celebrated in December. But it was always celebrated and always special. This is his story.
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What a treat it was to be asked to take a walk down memory lane to reflect on a favourite Christmas memory. I had to really exercise my mind for, as time passes, memories and dates start to run together.
It was difficult to pick just one favourite memory so this became an opportunity for me to look at Christmas and what it’s meant to me and my family. I am originally from the U.S.A. and grew up in a military family which led to us living in many different states and even a different country.
Both of my parents are from New Hampshire and grew up in environments where family was important and at the holidays it was those times for everyone to come together to celebrate, share, and enjoy.
Most of my extended family was in New Hampshire when I was young as we were stationed from base to base. One of my earliest Christmas memories was living in Quantico, Virginia and being awoken along with my brother to climb into the back of the station wagon to make the 10-hour trip to New Hampshire to celebrate Christmas with grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
That fond memory of waking up in my grandparents’ house on Christmas Day, running down the stairs, smelling the familiar scent of firewood burning in the house, and as my mother gently has reminded me, “shaking uncontrollably” with the excitement of seeing the decorated tree, the gifts, and my grandparents!
The following year, while still living in Quantico, I recall celebrating Christmas in late January or early February as Dad had been stationed in Okinawa. I was so excited to see Dad as he had been gone almost 12 months. And yes, I was assured Santa would still find us even though December had passed.
As I began to age, I realized certain things. One was our family tradition of making sure phone calls were made to all of our family on Christmas Day.
Mom calling her seven brothers and sisters and Dad connecting with his brother and sisters; plus calls to my grandparents. Over the years we went on to celebrate Christmas in different months or days due to Dad's work and my brother becoming a police officer, but I was always reminded that it was being with family that mattered.
My wife and I have tried to carry on with that important aspect as we celebrate the holidays. While celebrating the holidays at the Orillia Youth Centre we've always encouraged youth to invite someone special to them to come celebrate the holidays as we host dinner; that's what is important.
Finally, in reminiscing for this piece I had some fun conversations with Mom. I learned she’s celebrated four Christmases without Dad during their marriage including time when Dad served in the Vietnam War.
It illustrates to me why she’s worked so hard to make Christmas time so special for our family. Through difficult times and more, her favourite quote is “as long as the family is together we can celebrate Christmas.” My Mom is the strongest person I know and has the biggest smile on her face during the holidays.
So this year, while all of us are not together, Mom has worked to ensure that our whole family has Christmas and to me that is my favourite Christmas memory.
