27
Dec

Statler Christmas Dinner

Written by Don Reid on December 27th, 2011 Posted in General

     Some time every Christmas the eight of us (Statlers and wives), get together and eat dinner and reminisice.  This year it was at Boxley Farm, Harold and Brenda’s home here in Staunton.  (The only 85-acre farm inside the city limits and believe me, he’s not a farmer.  He likes to ride around on his tractor and pretend, but the only callouses he has are from the tractor seat.)  Brenda cooked as only she can and we all ate and laughed and caught up on what was happening with all the individual families .

 

Harold, Jimmy, Nina, Debbie, Don.  Seated – Brenda, Wilma, Phil

     The highlight each year is the four of us gathering around the piano again and singing a a few Christmas songs.  I played the piano and Jimmy played the acoustic guitar and we sang.  It didn’t come easy as the only singing Harold and I do anymore is standing in the pews on Sunday mornings.  Phil continues to sing in the choir each week, so he keeps in pretty good vocal shape.

     “Silent Night”, “Away In A Manger”, “White Christmas”.  And then someone always gets frisky and says let’s do “Hide Thou Me”.  (Usually Harold).  This is an old song from our last studio album in 2002 titled AMEN.  It has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it when I was about 12 years old.  It’s among my top most-loved songs of all time so my heart won’t let me refuse to sing it even though my voice may not be up to it. 

     When we finished the singing, and stopped laughing at the memories, we headed back to the kitchen for more dessert.  One of the girls said, “Think of all the people who would like to have been listening through a window tonight to hear you guys singing again.”  And it was then that Debbie fessed up she had recorded it all on her cellphone.   (Modern technology will be the death of me yet.)

      But I tell you all this to tell you all this;  It has been a beautiful Christmas season for us and I certainly hope it has been for you.  And I hope 2012 will be the wonderful year each of you desire.  God bless you greatly and Happy New Year!

 

 

                                                            DSR – December 27, 2011