The last month of the year brings the warmth of the holidays, the cold of winter and many celebrations.
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is on Monday, Dec. 8; the day of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on Friday, Dec. 12; Hanukkah begins at sundown on Tuesday, Dec. 16; the first day of winter on Sunday, Dec. 21; Christmas is on Thursday, Dec. 25; New Year’s Eve is on Wednesday, Dec. 31, and Kwanzaa is celebrated from Friday, Dec. 26, to Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015.
The World Almanac reports that December also celebrates Universal Human Rights Month, National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, National Tie Month and National Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month.
Finally, there are two astrological signs in December: Sagittarius, the archer (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) and Capricorn, the goat (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19).
During the fall and winter seasons some celebrations are more memorable than others. Some holiday memories are so wonderful, touching or fun that if people could go back and repeat that holiday season, they wouldn’t change a single thing.
“Asked On The Line” asked mainliners at San Quentin: “If you could repeat a holiday season without changing a single thing, how old would you be? Who are you with? Where are you?”
Almost every person replied with a smile.
Orlando Harris said he would return to 1974 when he was 11 years old. “My entire family was at my grandmother’s house for Christmas dinner. I was with my uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers and sisters. There was a feeling of being loved and we were overwhelmed with gifts and love.”
Eric Boles would be with his family. He would choose to be 36 again, in Downey, Calif., and spending the holidays with his daughter and immediate family.
Juan Arballo would repeat a Christmas holiday in Mexico. “I would be 7 years old with my mother, grandmother, god-sister and my god-sister’s family. I will never forget the two piñatas that we had. My mother and I had made them. It was the first piñata I had ever made.”
Miniature Christmas tree inside the Education building
Valeray Richardson said he would repeat a Christmas morning in Los Angeles. “I was 12 years old and I and my brothers got mini bikes for Christmas. I remember that I started mine up, right there in the living room! I got into trouble and was not allowed to use it for four weeks.”
Tommy Ross said he would relive a Thanksgiving holiday. “I was 8 years old and I was with my whole family. I remember I had a cousin who had come for Thanksgiving. She was a political activist — a celebrated activist — and I thought she was very interesting.”
Michael Tyler would also relive a Thanksgiving holiday. “It would have to be Thanksgiving at my grandmama’s house. I was 8 years old. I was special to my grandmother and she spoiled me with everything. I had pies and a space at the table just for me. I still love to eat.”
Philip Senegal would relive a Christmas holiday season. “The year would be 1988 between Christmas and New Year’s Day. I was 21 years of age. At that time, I was with Tammy, my baby mama. I would be at home with her, making love. It was during this time that our daughter, Teshi, was conceived.”
Jesus Flores said that he would go back to his grandparents’ house when he was 10 years old and spend the Christmas holiday with his entire family. He remembers getting lots of Christmas gifts.
Tyrone Allen would not go back in time. He would prefer to predict a nice holiday in the future. “In 2016, I will have Thanksgiving dinner with my grandchildren and all of my adult children in my own home. I will have the fireplace burning, eggnog on ice, and we would be sharing stories,” said Allen.
Syyen Hong said that he would be 10 years old again. He would be with his mom, sister, little brother and his dad. “We would be in Salt Lake City, Utah, when we decorated the house with Christmas lights.”
David Le said that he would be 11 years old in 1996. He remembers that he was in the fifth grade. “I was with my brother, walking down the aisle at Walgreen’s in Oakland near Lake Merritt, next to Lucky’s. I told him, ‘I want that game,’ pointing at a Monopoly board game. He bought it for me and said, ‘This is your Christmas present.’”
