First Canadian Christmas

It is a long time ago that we immigrated from Essen, Germany, to Vancouver. Our arrival was July 5, 1957, at the Canadian National Railway on Main Street.

What is a vivid memory is our trans-Atlantic ship crossing from Bremer Hafen to Quebec City in the summer of 1957. It was a six-day journey by boat, the Neptunia. We left behind my grandparents and many relatives, not knowing when we would see them again.

Our schooling in Germany was from kindergarten to Grade 8 in one school. My sisters and I took the train to school from Essen-Huegel to Essen-Werden. It was only a 10-minute ride, but we had a ways to walk to school.

In Canada, we were sent to new Canadian classes for about three months to learn English. We were than placed in grade school according to our ages. I was 10, my sisters 12 and 14.

Our arrival at Vancouver CN station was remarkable, having travelled for three days across Canada by train, not in a sleeper coach but regular class. We actually made it having just a few suitcases each and the rest of our belongings being shipped separately. It was quite an adjustment. My parents could not get used to the white bread bought to make sandwiches on our trip. We were used to hardy rye breads.

The Lutheran church met us at the train station and helped us to find a house to accommodate the five of us. My parents were actively looking for work, but it was very difficult as they had little English. We used up all our life savings in a short while.

Christmas or Weihnachten is celebrated by most Europeans on Dec. 24. We did have a tree, but not very many decorations. We still used real candles affixed to this evergreen tree. It shimmered with the tinsel. We each had a present under the tree donated by the church. It was most welcoming for new immigrants to Canada and we were very thankful.

I still celebrate traditional Christmas Eve, with my children and grandchildren when we have our traditional German Christmas dinner with fish, noodles, potato salad and bread.

I have fond memories of Christmas Eve spent with my parents and my family. The best part is enjoying the spirit of Christmas and sharing with those who are less fortunate.

If the snow falls the night of Christmas Eve with all the beautiful lights around our town in Port Alberni, where I live, it is extra special, as it was in Germany so long ago.

Name withheld