My Mother, Virginia Henderson was born in 1915 and went to an orphanage at 16 months. Her life wasn't very happy until she was taken in, at 12 years old, by a very Wonderfull Family!! Harry and Caroline Beaver, of Des Moine, Iowa. They could not have children and took in Orphans. They ran a boarding house but found room for all these needy children!! My Mother remembered Christmas with them. It was during the Great Depression. Christmas was a very exciting time of the year!! The Beaver's were very religious. They sang hymns praising the Lord. They strung popcorn in the livingroom at night for the tree. They decorated with homemade ornaments. Gifts were made by hand! Flour sacks were cut, embroidered and made into special items. Yarn was knitted in to warm gloves and socks after the Children went to bed! But the highlight was when they hung their stockings to be filled by Santa!! When the Children woke up on Christmas Day they found an Orange in their stockings!! A single orange, so wonderfull!! Something they rarely had!! Food wasn't plentifull but they had lots of potatoes!! My Mother couldn't believe how many ways Caroline prepared potatoes for Christmas dinner!! It was absolutely delicious!! Everyone was full and they ate their oranges for dessert, savoring every bite!! This was the Christmas my Mother remembered the most!! Carolyn Whaley