My worst and best Christmases

Reflecting on my lifetime of Christmases, I recall the worst and best. As an eight year old, the depression year of 1932 stands out, because I received zilch in my stocking. Some years ago, while baby-sitting my then-four-year-old grandson Michael Krieger, I had related this sad Christmas tale to him and he said, "grandpa why didn't you call me up and I would have given you some of my toys."
Christmas 1948 rings a bell as my best Christmas, because I received my first car at that time. After being discharged from the Navy in February 1946, I decided to shop for a car in the fall of 1947. Cars were scarce as hen's teeth, especially new ones. Waiting lists were long.
I decided to place an order for a Plymouth in October, at the Mahoning Motors Dealership on Wick Ave. I had called or visited that dealer every month for over a year. Finally, they called just before Christmas and said I could have a navy blue one that was available, though I had ordered black. I grabbed it without hesitation for 1,896. It was a color that grew on me, since I polished it every Saturday in our unheated garage, regardless of the weather.
A good car
My Plymouth was a no frills vehicle that was very dependable. Starting it on the coldest winter day was never a problem, once I mastered the hand choke. The stick shift gave me good pick-up and fuel economy. I can remember getting 24 miles per gallon on a trip, with its straight six cylinder power plant.
The very wide white side wall tires gave it a touch of class, I installed curb feelers on the fenders to signal if the car was about to hit the curb and scrape the white walls. As was the custom in those days, I immediately bought seat covers. When I sold the car nine years later, the seats were new and the car was old.
It was the days before turn signals, so my left arm got a workout, signaling out the window rain or shine. I was getting exercise without realizing it, with my left arm signalling turns, my left leg pumping the clutch, my right arm shifting gears.
Michael J. Lacivita is a Youngstown retiree and an inductee into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame and the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.