December 23, 2005

Readers share favorite Christmas memories

Ecuadorian woman recalls first Christmas in U.S.

By Berta C. Smith
Special to The Criterion

I was born in Zaruma, Ecuador, South America. It is a Spanish-speaking country.

Until I was almost 9 years old, I lived with the Sisters of Charity, who had a hospital and a school, then I was sent to the United States and a Catholic family took me into their home. This was around September.

As Christmas was approaching, there was a lot of singing until I got the flu. The father of my new family carried me down the stairs on Christmas morning to see a real tree surrounded by lots of lights and boxes.

I was taken upstairs again as I started to cry because I did not see a sign of Jesus.

I am 88 now, but I still remember my first Christmas in Indianapolis.

(Berta C. Smith is a member of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral Parish in Indianapolis.) †

 

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