A Christmas tree in Castle Hill, NY memories (living, yard)

[countrykaren]

Until 1962, when I was 9, my family lived on O'Brien Ave in Clason Point, NY. Although the street was short and not quite a dead end- because there were a few cross streets that intersected it- there was a cement abutment at Stephens Ave, at the end of O'Brien.


I remember my brother and I would go down to that abutment, climb up and sit with our backs to the streets, and look through the leafless trees during the month of December, over the salt marsh, and cross the Westchester Creek to Castle Hill. Only I didn't know it was Castle Hill at the time.


Across those couple of miles, there was a Christmas tree, lit with white, red, yellow, and blue lights. I don't know if it was in someone's yard, on some "company's" property or put up by the city. It didn't matter. We would sit and look at that tree for hours, not feeling the cold, and make up stories about that tree that looked to be only a few inches tall to us, but probably very tall over there.


Now I'm 64 years old and still have those fond memories of a "South Bronx" with out the reputation it has now, of closeness with a loved sibling, and a Christmas tree that was more magical and beautiful than the one in our living room. To this day, it is as mysterious as ever.


I want to thank whoever put that Christmas tree up. You gave a little girl some wonderful memories.. You unknowingly gave a little girl some magic, that will last a lifetime.

[SeventhFloor]

Originally Posted by countrykaren

Until 1962, when I was 9, my family lived on O'Brien Ave in Clason Point, NY. Although the street was short and not quite a dead end- because there were a few cross streets that intersected it- there was a cement abutment at Stephens Ave, at the end of O'Brien.


I remember my brother and I would go down to that abutment, climb up and sit with our backs to the streets, and look through the leafless trees during the month of December, over the salt marsh, and cross the Westchester Creek to Castle Hill. Only I didn't know it was Castle Hill at the time.


Across those couple of miles, there was a Christmas tree, lit with white, red, yellow, and blue lights. I don't know if it was in someone's yard, on some "company's" property or put up by the city. It didn't matter. We would sit and look at that tree for hours, not feeling the cold, and make up stories about that tree that looked to be only a few inches tall to us, but probably very tall over there.


Now I'm 64 years old and still have those fond memories of a "South Bronx" with out the reputation it has now, of closeness with a loved sibling, and a Christmas tree that was more magical and beautiful than the one in our living room. To this day, it is as mysterious as ever.


I want to thank whoever put that Christmas tree up. You gave a little girl some wonderful memories.. You unknowingly gave a little girl some magic, that will last a lifetime.

I'm not from the Bronx but great story. Please share more.