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Growing up in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky could be hard especially when Christmas approached and the prospects of having nothing for Christmas appeared imminent. We created for ourselves an ability to make lemonade from the lemons life had passed on to us. We always knew Christmas's real meaning and that is part of what America is all about, it is rooted in Christianity doctrines and traditions, but always incorporated other religions into society as well. Now, through the diversity that is in our country today it seems that American traditions and values have been demoted and are being placed way below those of other ethnic groups and countries and it really should not be allowed to happen. Our country's identity as to who she is is being threatened in ways that are not to the betterment of us as American citizens or the world in general. America is still despite the naysayers is the best country in the world. I want it to stay that way and I think most Americans do too.

When I was a child and as Christmastime approached each year, humble signs appeared around the neighborhood trying to mark a very special occasion, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our homes might not have all been decorated with everything in accordance to a religious holiday, but most of the children back in the fifties knew that it meant the birth of Jesus. Evergreen branches adorned windowsills and sparsely branched pine trees cut from the mountainsides served as Christmas Trees. There were bunches of mistletoe and holly branches with red berries hung over doors and mantles. The Christmas trees were adorned only in popcorn strung on strings. Maybe only a star cut from cardboard, covered in aluminum foil served as the tree topper or it may have hung from a string in the window, to add a little sparkle to the holiday. It was so much fun to cut out cardboard stars, wrap them in foil paper and hang them in windows.

Even the pictures we got to color of Santa Claus at school were hung up some where in the house or on the windows. Christmas cards were treated as if they were priceless possessions and used to decorate the front room of the house on the doors or walls. Never would they be tossed aside or discarded as some might do today. Every one was read with prayer and thanksgiving as love was expressed to others about the lovely cards received.

Our family didn't get much for Christmas but for some around there it was a very bleak time to get through and harder for many than

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