Christmas 1958 was one that will stay with me forever. Just two years before, our beautiful 18-year-old sister, Eileen, has been killed in a tragic car accident. She was the kindest, most gentle person that you would want in a sibling and did her utmost to help Mom and Dad provide for a large family. As a 10-year-old boy, it was a devastating blow to a fragile existence and things would never be the same. She had, however, instilled in us the will to face all adversities head on and always said that "life was what you make it" and to never give up. On this particular day, I was returning home from mass and was eagerly looking forward to Mom's delicious Sunday dinner. Suddenly, I heard the shrill sound of the fire siren and turned around to determine the direction from which it was coming. Everyone was running towards me and someone shouted that it looked like our house was on fire. I turned and ran as fast as my legs would carry me. After what seemed like an eternity, I reached my home and found that it was engulfed in flames. Mom was standing outside still wearing her cooking apron and was sobbing uncontrollably. Before anyone noticed and could stop me, I ran into the house and up the flight of stairs to the second floor. I retrieved the new coat and galoshes which Mom had bought me for Christmas and fortunately made it safely back outside. Mom hugged and scolded me at the same time for my foolhardy act. Soon after, we were joined by Dad and many of our neighbours and together they tried to save some of the furniture from the burning house. When the fire truck arrived, there was not much that could be done except save the basic structure. The house was gutted and most everything inside was lost, including the Christmas gifts which Mom and Dad had tried so hard to accumulate. I cried, and as the tears fell to the ground, I noticed a muddy picture of Eileen which I picked up and put into my pocket. All those who were living at home at the time were taken in by friends and relatives until we could find more permanent accommodations. For a while, I was staying with an aunt and uncle who already had a large family. After a few days had passed, Mom came in to see me and told me that a distant relative, a complete stranger to me, had offered to take one of us in until the house was rebuilt. Although she appreciated the kindness of her sister and her husband, she realized that they were struggling and thought that I should go. Being a rather shy young boy, I was somewhat apprehensive but knew that Mom had no other choice in making her decision. The next day I arrived at my new, temporary home, and received a warm welcome from Tony and Marion Walsh and their children. My previous fears were short-lived as they made me feel like one of their own. I realized how lucky I was despite the trails and tribulations which our family had gone through. Christmas Day came quickly and I missed my family dearly. I had never spend a Christmas away from home and was somewhat anxious. Tony and Marion had a beautiful way about them and did their best to make me feel at ease and for that I will be forever thankful. That day they took me, accompanied by their own children, to see Mom and Dad and most of my brothers and sisters. In doing so they had saved my Christmas and had instilled in me a strong belief in the goodness of humanity. As we celebrated, I put my hand in my pocket and touched Eileen's picture. To this day I still have it in my possession. Ed Power Grand Falls-Windsor   Submitted By: NULL