Summary The Cartwright s and Hop Sing make new memories while talking their favorite past Christmases.
Rating:  G  (1,030 words)

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Bonanza
~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
* Day 23 *

 

Making New Memories while remembering past Christmases

 

 

Ben Cartwright, Adam Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright, Joe Cartwright and Hop Sing were all gathered around the fireplace on a roaring fire while drinking hot chocolate and eating Hop Sing’s famous cinnamon rolls with gooey icing.

 

 

 

Adam sat his mug of hot chocolate down on the coffee table and stood up and walked over to the big window behind Ben’s desk.” It’s a good thing that we went to town when we had to stock up on supplies. The snow is really coming down hard. I would not be surprised if we got snowed in for at least a few days, if not a lot longer,” he said as he watched the snow fall.

 

 

 

” Hey Adam,” Hoss called out from his chair. It’s a good thing that you installed that water closet when you did,” he said half seriously and half jokingly.

 

 

 

Joe walked to where Adam was standing. He looked out the window and said, “Our minds are filled with the memories of earlier days when Christmas was spent with friends.”

 

Ben walked to where Joe was standing and put his hand on Joe’s shoulder, and replied, “You are right, Our minds are filled with memories of earlier days when Christmas was spent with friends. But that

 

It doesn’t mean we can’t make new memories while remembering the past. Christmases ”

 

 

 

Joe smiled at his pa, “You are right, we can make our own new memories and remember some past Christmas memories.”

 

Ben Adam. Hoss, Joe and Hop Sing all shared their favorite Christmas memories.

 

Joe went first. He said his favorite Christmas memory was when he was about 9 years older when he got Cochise.” I remember it was the year we went to a party in town hosted by Roy Coffee and his wife.

 

At first, I didn’t think I would receive a present, and I remember trying my best not to try, especially when I saw all the other kids getting a huge stocking filled with treats. I did eventually get my stocking. It somehow got pushed under the couch. But before my stocking was found, both Roy Coffee and his wife took me by my hands and led me to the stable a few feet from their house. Inside was the most beautiful painted horse which “I immediately named Cochise.”

 

 

 

“I remember you trying to talk our pa into riding Cochise home that very night,” Adam said before he told one of his favorite Christmas memories.” One of mine is the Christmas Marie and I went from barely getting along with each other to becoming very close. Adam went on seeing how it happened. When he was, there was not a dry eye.

 

Hoss was when Hop Sing allowed him into his kitchen to help him make Christmas treats for the family as Christmas gifts.

 

Ben was when Roy Coffee and Dr. Martin came over and introduced themselves to welcome him and his family to the area.

 

Hop Sing was his first Christmas at the Ponderosa and was surprised to see presents under the tree and both Marie and Ben said he was part of the family.

 

Everyone’s favorite memory was the same one: The Year that they all agreed to. Instead of buying gifts for each other or giving each other money, they would host the area kids who had lost both parents.

 

After talking about one of their favorite past Christmas, they decided to start some new Christmas traditions. Adam had the suggestion of reading a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens together and, instead of just reading the words on the paper, they tried to change their voices to fit each character.

 

Hop Sing suggested, although with a bit of hesitation, he could teach them to make his Chinese Christmas candy.

 

Joe and Hoss had somewhat similar if not the same suggestions.

 

Joe suggestion was a snowball fight.

Hoss’ suggestion was to build a snowman family.

 

Ben suggested they each say one thing they hope the new year brings.

 

Everyone enjoyed everyone’s suggestions on how to make new family Christmas traditions.

 

Joe turned to his pa during a short break after returning from being from outside after both having a short snowball fight and started to build a snowman. “You know this Christmas is going to be among my favorite Christmas.”

Ben nodded as he put his hand on Joe’s shoulder as they looked out the window.” It’s a good thing we came back in from being outside. The snow is really starting to fall again,” Ben said as they watched the snow fall from the sky.

 

Joe turned to Ben, and said, You know pa like, “I said earlier when I was a bit upset about us being snowed.in

 

“Our minds are filled with memories of earlier days when Christmas was spent with friends,” Ben said with a smile. Knowing where Joe was going with this

 

But like you told me, we can make some new memories while remembering some of our favorite past Christmases.

 

Ben nodded. “I like everyone’s suggestions on how to make new family traditions for Christmas.

 

“Me too,” Joe said in agreement. “To be honest, I didn’t think I would Adam’s suggestions. Joe admitted, but his suggestions ended up being among my favorites. We have never done this year and past years.I  Really hope we do it again next year at this time.

 

Ben nodded his head in agreement.,”I hope so too.”

 

A few hours later, before  heading up to bed ,Joe decided to see if he could find a book to read before going to sleep. And although there were many books on the , no title at first  caught his attention enough for him to want to read that is until at the very last second.When he spotted a book with a brown cover and gold writing,he almost laughed out when he saw the title of the book”Our Minds Are Filled With The Memories Of Earlier Days When Christmas Was Spent With Friends”

 

After thinking about it Joe decided to take the book to his room and start to  read it.

The end at least for now

 

 

My prompt was Our minds are filled With the memories of earlier days when Christmas was Spent with friends

Main character was Joe

 

Link to the Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar – Day 24 – Not as Originally Designed – BluewindFarm