The Blessings of Christmas
A Look Back at a Childhood Christmas
Reed Point
Written by Cyd Hoefle and Katie Fraser
Photography by Katie Fraser
Looking back, Christmas 1966 had to have been especially difficult for Mom. She’d lost her own mother that summer and faced the holidays for the first time without her. At just 34 years old with five children ages 3 to 10, the loss was tremendous, not only for her, but for the little ones as well.
Mom was an amazing mother. Her favorite child was always the one with her. I’m not sure how she managed, but she intentionally spent alone time with each of us. She had an uncanny ability to make us talk, she was quick to listen, slow to speak and to anger, and in her presence we felt cherished.
Being raised on a ranch, it was not just important to both Mom and Dad that we learn at an early age how to ride and be of help, it was expected. Outfitting five kids with horses and gear was done by continually passing down and repairing both gear and horses alike.
Years after we were grown, married, and had families of our own, Christmas Eve was still spent at my folks’ place. Dad would take the kids sledding while Mom prepared hot chocolate and goodies. The tree was trimmed with presents stacked high and a piñata was swinging from the eaves, waiting for the excited grandchildren to take a turn trying to break it.
We were steeped in tradition, from the fried oysters Grampa started, to the divinity and fudge, to the homemade gifts. Our family thrived not on the commercialism of the holiday, but being together. The laughter, games, playfulness, and continual grazing of delicious food throughout the afternoon and well into the night bonded us tightly. They are memories which every member of our family cherishes to this day.
The following is an article Mom submitted to the Billings Gazette which they printed on Christmas Day years after we’d all grown up and had children of our own.
A Horse in the House
By Katie Fraser
It was mid-December of 1966, and it was snowing. Our boys, Scott and Rob, were 10 and 8, our daughters, Cydney, Carolyn, and Martha, were 7, 5, and 3.
The older children were practicing for the Christmas program at the Greycliff School. But the usual Christmas excitement was dimmed this year as my mother had died during the summer. She was a loving mother, perfect grandmother, and her enthusiasm over the holidays made Christmas special for the entire family.
Scott and Rob had their own horses, which they reluctantly shared with the little sisters. So, friends, Margot and Call Todd, owners of the Pitchfork Ranch at Meeteetsee, thought our girls should have a horse of their own.
Grampa laughed with tears in his eyes as he said, “how Gramma would have loved this Christmas!”
They gave us Maggie Oh, a little sorrel mare with a white mane and tail. She arrived at the ranch the week before Christmas.
We put her in the corral below the barn and explained the surprise to Scott and Rob. We asked the boys to ride her after school each day to gentle her for their sisters. Somehow, the secret was kept in spite of the boys’ whispers and excitement.
Rob had outgrown the child’s saddle he was using so this was the year he was to receive a new saddle. We decided to give each youngster tack and gear. We bought saddle blankets, a head stall, breast collar, saddle bags, slickers, chaps, and a tiny pair of spurs.
Christmas Eve finally arrived. Santa’s bell sounded on the back porch drawing out the youngsters.
Quickly, we slipped Maggie Oh through the front door and left her by the Christmas tree. Our excited youngsters raced in and stopped in amazement to find a horse in the living room!
They swarmed about her, petting, riding, and checking gear. Although we had dry lotted the little mare during the day, all the excitement caused her to spin, leaving dry droppings scattered across the carpet. A broom and dustpan appeared, and the indiscretion was quickly swept away.
Grampa laughed with tears in his eyes as he said, “how Gramma would have loved this Christmas!”
We were up early Christmas morning.
As breakfast was cooking, Carolyn slipped down to the barn and returned with Maggie Oh. She brought her through the front door into the living room. Carolyn thought this was a wonderful, new way to handle horses.
We took the mare out and explained gently that Christmas Eve was a very special time and never, ever again would we have a horse in the house.
As the children grew older, there were many horses and saddles in their lives. Rob’s tiny saddle passed to Cyd, then Carolyn, Martha, and is now used by Martha’s 6-year-old son, Wes.
Scott’s horse, Old Browning, was passed to Carolyn. Eventually, each youngster had a horse and gear of their own. But no memory remains as clear and precious as that of Maggie Oh, standing by the Christmas tree in the living room.
This is what makes that Christmas special for this family.