Saving 1968

1968 — A HISTORICAL NOVEL: CHAPTER 30

The Apollo 8 journey into the moon’s orbit gave a fractured America something to cheer as a tumultuous year came to an end

The eight-foot-tall white spruce was an exquisitely well-shaped Christmas tree, no low hanging branches, full throughout the middle, and then tapered up to a perfectly symmetrical triangle. Naturally, it was trimmed just the way Olivia McDonald liked it with white lights wrapped all the way around, decades-old homemade ornaments dangling from the branches, and silver and gold tinsel strands to fill in the gaps.

At its base, set up on a white bed sheet, was the Nativity scene complete with miniature statues of the baby Jesus flanked by Mary and Joseph, with various angels, shepherds, and sheep on the periphery. And there was a gold star — made by Kathleen when she was in third grade — perched at the very top.

The mistletoe was hung from one of the cross beams in the foyer where you entered the house. Garland was draped all the way up the rail of the staircase that led to the second floor of the four-bedroom colonial, as well as across the mantel above the fireplace which was crackling with three logs in full flame on this cold, wintry Garden City Christmas Eve. And throughout the main floor there were seasonal decorations that Santa Claus himself would have suggested to Mrs. Claus for their North Pole living space.

In the kitchen, there was a beehive of activity. The filet mignon — a family tradition on the night before Christ’s birthday — was broiling in the oven; the potatoes were boiling on the stove; Kathleen was preparing the salad by cutting carrots, peppers, and cucumbers to mix with the lettuce; Olivia was placing the muffins and dinner rolls in a wicker basket lined with a white linen napkin; and Olivia’s mother, Marge, was at the sink, keeping pace with the dishes.

And where were the men? As usual, in front of the television, though there was no viewing pleasure, which was an impending problem. Just minutes before guests from around the neighborhood would begin arriving for the annual McDonald Christmas Eve dinner party, Jack was fidgeting with the rabbit ear antenna atop the 23-inch Admiral color console…

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