December 2005                                                      The Megaphone                                                                  Page 6

First Christmas in England

by Julie (Stout) Crim

St. Paul's Cathedral in London

One of the choicest assignments in the world for a military family was London, England and I could hardly believe our good luck when the orders came down. This was Uncle Sam saying thank you for spending an ugly year in Thailand while the dependents waited back in the states. Dependents meant three children and me. So, after a 30 day leave, off we went to whatever awaited us "across the pond.” The timing was not the best though and we arrived in the city of our new home in the wee hours of December 24th with children small enough to believe in Santa Claus! I had planned ahead, buying small things to hide in suitcases, but knew if they only got small things the questions might begin, like is Santa real? I didn't want that to happen before it's time.

Upon arrival we were booked into a small old hotel in the borough of Harrow, having one medium size room to live in for the next two to three months. The "loo" and bathroom were on the floor below us. A good breakfast and evening meal was included and "Uncle" was footing the bill.

We, like all new military families arriving at a new assignment, had a family sponsor. Our sponsor took my husband Christmas shopping at the BX while I stayed with the children. We all couldn't go if we wanted surprises the next morning. He returned successful, well, almost. No small artificial Christmas tree. We were not having Christmas without a tree of some sort, I said! So about 4 p.m., with no sleep for over 24 hours and in the dusk of evening, off I trudged in the direction of the shops on a foggy and snowy afternoon. I had to be very careful to pay attention not only to the direction I was heading but where I'd come from. This was my first shopping trip in England and my head was swimming. I didn’t want to get lost! I had some English pounds (money) in my pocket and the ring of the Queen’s English in my ear. I soon found myself at the shops.

Surprised, I entered a Woolworth's. The outside looked just like those here in the states but inside all similarities ended. It was very crowded but I did find the perfect tree, small with decorations and lights attached. To this day I have no idea whatsoever how much it cost. Pounds and shillings were the money used there at the time and at that point I didn't know one coin from another and was too tired to care.

Christmas morning was hardly different than here at home in the states. We did go downstairs to the dining room to a special holiday breakfast. Oh, how lucky we were, having the best of both worlds, meeting people from the states as well and many English, all with good cheer and happiness. It was a lovely start to what the next four years would bring.

Later in the afternoon, a young British couple also staying at the hotel came knocking at our door and invited us to go to Christmas Eve Services with them in the "West End," saying they owned an estate car so there would be room for all. We had no idea what they had said, but jumped in, feet first with a smile and a yes!

"As you Americans would say, we're going downtown to a little chapel that we think you may find most interesting," said the man. I had to listen carefully to understand what he was saying. I had no trouble with the words but there were too many strange ones for me to always follow. Example, an estate car was a station wagon.

After a twenty minute drive we parked on the street and walked towards a huge church. We could tell this polite young couple thought they were playing a trick on us. Chapel indeed! We entered St. Paul's Cathedral and immediately I felt "other worldly." This was by far the largest church/cathedral I had ever seen. With awesome feelings we proceeded to our seats, following an usher. The music began, an organ, unseen, mighty and majestic and loud, very loud! It was an experience I'll never forget, feeling that music riveting and vibrating all the way into my soul. I am convinced that whatever your beliefs you will feel differently after attending a worship service in that ancient of buildings.

Did you know . . . Christopher Wren was the architect when it was built in 1675-1710? A cathedral was dedicated to St. Paul on that very site in the year 604 AD.  The one standing today is the fourth one to stand in that place. The Great London Fire destroyed the one before the one standing today. Hundreds of buildings were destroyed during the London blitz and WWII but St. Paul's Cathedral was never touched, a miracle.  Prince Charles and Diana were married there. Winston Churchill’s funeral was held in this treasure of holy places.

My first two days in London, England were perfect. I wondered how the next four years would compare? Well, there were life changing moments, good times and bad, but none would surpass my first impressions of the first two days in Londontown.

Julie (Stout) Crim ‘57 

Yuma, Arizona

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