ANNE PARLIN

I was nineteen when I became engaged to Chris on Thanksgiving in 1970 and invited to be at Silver Bay for Christmas.  We were young and our spirits were high, but getting there was quite challenging.  We drove from my home in Wilmington, Delaware, through a heavy snowstorm that seemed to be moving at the same speed we were.  Chris thought of pulling in to a motel but was worried that my father would be horrified since we were not married.  We were young and our spirits were high, so we just kept going and we made it!

 

First day there, I had my first taste of Parlin tradition.  It was time to trek up toward the Sugar House to find the best Christmas tree ever.  So, clad with boots, hat, mittens we started off. The snow was close to a foot deep and had drifted quite a bit.  I am five feet tall.  There were times then that the snow was hip deep on me. I think it was pure grit that got me up and back.  While the tree was not perfect, it was just fine enough to be our special tree that year.

 

One of my very favorite memories came that evening when we went over to the Smith’s house for dinner.  I was thrilled to see a big, beautiful Christmas Tree in the center of the room.  It had a toy train and track that continually moved in a circle around the base.  Most of the family was there then… the Smith family (Harold, Camilla, Hyla, Heather, Nathan and Steven), the Blackwood Parlin family (Blackie, Joan, Ken, Andy and Jennifer), the Charlie Parlin family (Charlie, Joan, Chris, Rob, and Tim). 

We had a lovely dinner with candles and decorations that made it so special.  Hyla and Heather had even made a gingerbread cookie couple especially for Chris and me.

The evening was complete when Uncle Hal played the piano as we all sang Christmas Carols.  The big finale, which happened for many years after, was all of us singing the Hallelujah Chorus.  I knew it by heart and must say that our soprano section wasn’t too screechy that year!  It always ended with all of us congratulating each other on our brilliant performance. Lots of laughing and just so much fun!

 

Final thought

Through all the years, our family has grown and keeps growing. With all our events and traditions, with all the changes in our lives and our world, I have always had the comforting feeling that Skippers was watching over us.  Year after year, Skippers has been our sentry.