My first Christmas in Phoenix, Arizona, 1977


It's near Christmastime now and as usual, the season has me thinking of Christmases past. Like everyone, I have good memories, and no-so-good memories of Christmastime, and today I'm thinking of my very first Christmas in Phoenix, Arizona in 1977, when I was nineteen.

When I've told people about it, I've paid careful attention to what their attitude about what Christmas is, and I've emphasized things that they want to hear, good or bad. But today I'll just present it, and let you decide.

First of all, I was all alone, thousands of miles away from family, and the only friends I'd ever known. I wrote back to my mom, and my best friends, and always included some cartoons (the one there was saved by a friend of mine who returned it to me last year, it's from 1977.) And I'd leave the story there if I was going for a sentimental note, but the reality was that I was glad to be away from Minneapolis. In addition to always hating snow and cold, I really, really, wanted to get away and see what the rest of the world was like. I had heard about places, like Australia, and Phoenix, where it never snowed, but I had never seen it for myself.

I had a part-time job, doing physical inventory for the Washington Inventory Company (their office was over by Bourbon Street Circus) and although it wasn't much money, it was enough for the very, ahem, "less than fashionable" apartment where I lived, the inexpensive food I ate (mostly cheese) and gas for my tiny little car (which got ridiculously great gas mileage). I didn't drink or smoke or have any type of expenses like that, and my original dinnerware was a frisbee for a plate, so I was fine. I must have had a fork, and spoon, but no more than that. I didn't eat at restaurants, not even fast-food places, because they were way too expensive for my limited budget.

I remember sitting out by the pool a lot, and since I was from Minnesota, I probably swam in the pool in December, and obviously I was always wearing shorts. The weather just amazed me, and I had to pinch myself to ask if it was really happening? Sometimes I still feel that way, after all those years.

Christmas had always been a wonderful time for me as a kid. I got a lot of awesome toys, including the G.I. Joe Space Capsule (which I sold on ebay a few years back for quite a few bucks!). But now that I was 19, I knew that I wasn't a child anymore. My mom sent me a care package, and a check, but my days of toys were over. My favorite toy was parked in the parking lot, you know! That is, the MG.

I wish that I could remember my first Christmas in Phoenix, but I really can't. I didn't have much, not even a TV, no family, no friends, and certainly no girlfriend. I will let you decide if it was the best of times, or the worst of times.

Merry Christmas!

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