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Friday December 22, 2017 Edition
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Sharing Christmas Memories With Bristol Twins Cecile & Lucille

Always ready to hit the road and enjoy a meal out, the sisters celebrate a birthday milestone.
photo by provided
Always ready to hit the road and enjoy a meal out, the sisters celebrate a birthday milestone.

Friday December 22, 2017

By Cookie Steponaitis

It is indeed no shock to the regular Valley Voice reader that stopping in and checking up on things at Bristol Beauty Nook is one of this reporter’s favorite rituals when stopping in Bristol to do a story. Arriving just a couple of days after Lucille’s 60th anniversary of opening her beauty shop, it is indeed a delightful relief to find it business as usual for the 90-year-old twins.
    While their careers and families led their lives in separate directions, the holidays have never been done without the two sisters in the same location. A remarkable feat considering they are now embarking on their 90th holiday season. “We always combine our families,” shared Lucille. “Mom and dad when they were alive, aunts and uncles, spouses and children. Our dinner table would usually hold around 14 or so.” In fact, the sisters even plan to split the holidays so that it is known months in advance which home will host. Coming from French Canadian ancestry, Christmas was important, but the holidays that were all out included New Years then Easter and Christmas coming in a close third.
    When asked to share a typical holiday dinner, the twins both replied in unison, “Nothing special. In fact, it changed different years.” Sometimes it seems Prime Rib was on the menu and other times it could be a Ham, a roast Chicken or the traditional French Meat Pies. For both sisters the holidays are really about the children and their joy at seeing the tree, presents or waiting for Santa Claus. The sisters lived for a time next door to the grandparents and would send the kids over to see grandma and grandpa while they got the tree ready and the presents. Cecile chimed in with a laugh and shared,” Once time we were just finishing up and my husband was out back making sounds with a bell when our son came charging in. I quickly took him out the door his father was not out and pointed to the sky. “Look, you just missed Santa.” He gazed up at the night sky and with all the faith of a child said,” Look I can see him, can’t you.” Pausing for a moment Cecile looks directly at her sister and concludes, “That is what Christmas is all about,” she remarks and Lucille shakes her head in agreement.
    Cecile moves toward the holiday season with plans that include three children, five grandchildren, 9 great- grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. “We have sadly arrived at the era of the gift card,” laments Cecile. “I used to pick out gifts for all personally, but something has to give. Now it is a card, a gift card and they select their own. “Lucille still orders on line for her two children and two grandchildren, but adds to the conversation that Christmas today certainly is different from those long ago shared with her parents. “We got very little in the way of gifts,” added Lucille. “We got a piece of clothing, slippers and perhaps one toy. There was not a lot of money, but there was a lot of joy, music and love.”
    Hoping that all Valley Voice readers have a blessed holiday, the Bristol twins are sharing more than a series of recollections about what happens on Christmas Eve or day. In the 90 years since their birth, they have missed one holiday together and that was Thanksgiving. “Well, I have a good reason,” chimes in Cecile. “I was in labor. That way I never forget my son’s birthday either.” So, from the Bristol Beauty Nook and the twin sisters who are preparing for their 90th holidays together, best wishes for the season and a wish to each of you. Remember what family is and hold it closely. While the wrapping paper may be bright and the meal delicious, it is the people and the memories made that warm the heart long after the holidays have passed by and the New Year began.


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