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Blogs by Donelle Knudsen
Down Memory Lane 12/9/2008 2:08:08 PM
This time of year evokes wonderful memories from my childhood. My earliest recollections are from about the age of three years old when my folks lived in a small bungalow in the Mt. Tabor area of northeast Portland. I remember a knotty pine living room and a little cubbyhole of a bedroom. My crib was in a small area between the bath and the only bedroom. More flashbacks come from another rented house in the Hollywood District, also in northeast Portland. I recall one Christmas morning when Santa brought me a beautiful doll and play dishes, and I remember the Easter I was so ill with the mumps that I couldn’t get off of the couch. A visit from my grandparents with a special Easter basket helped boost my spirits.
In the Hollywood District we lived near a very busy business area, and I’m told that I wandered around the block, which of course terrified my parents. Grandpa and Mother found me and Mother said she paddled me all of the way home – out of fear and relief. That was my first and last solo jaunt.
My first experience with church was watching a beautiful stone church being built across the street from our little white cottage. Sacrificing naptime I remember the fascination I felt as the giant hole for the church was dug, the foundation poured, and the long construction period. It was shortly after the church was completed that my folks bought a home in the Roseway District of Portland. They borrowed a small down payment from Mother’s parents to purchase the 2-bedroom home that cost $6000.
Growing up was a happy time for me on 73rd Ave. On Sundays I could hear the church bells ring at Calvary Presbyterian; the church I would later attend with my friends Linda, Teresa, Shari and Nancy.
Today I miss those church bells, especially during Christmas and Easter season. I may sound outdated, but I remember those days fondly. It was a time when it was common-place to sing Christmas carols in the neighborhood and have “real" Christmas pageants in school.
Oh how I wish it were the same for my young grandchildren. But times change and we can keep the faith and enjoy the freedom we have to worship and believe as we please.
And so in that spirit, I wish a hearty Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my friends.
