-
Marilynn and Karen courtesy photo
Bristow recently welcomed to its Country Christmas festivities a lovely lady and her mother from Sapulpa, on Friday, December 8.
After seeing news stories about Bristow’s Country Christmas, its 26-foot Wisconsin balsam fir tree, the holiday parade, and the toy museum on the news, Karen and her mother, Marilynn, drove to Bristow for a unique Christmas experience. Karen explained that although they would have enjoyed the parade and tree lighting, they waited a day to avoid the crowds, late-night darkness, and cold.
Upon arrival, the duo set out to visit the tree and toy museum. Since Marilynn faces the challenges of Alzheimer's, Karen makes an effort to attend simple events both to create new memories and to help her recall older ones. Karen noted how special the cowboy tree and buckboard wagon were for her, saying “The tree was tall, and I loved the large ornaments. I really liked the buckboard wagon. There was a lot of nostalgic stuff on that corner for me because I grew up on a farm. I took pictures of all of it and will remember our visit for a long time. Mom and I look at the photos of our adventures together because I enjoy keeping life in front of her.”
As for the toy museum, Karen expressed disappointment at finding it closed; however, its closure offered the duo a new opportunity to make new friends and discover the community’s kindness and other attractions. With that opportunity, they found themselves in for a friendly Christmas adventure.
Karen drove to the Frisco depot and recalled that Bristow previously hosted The Polar Express in years past. She said, “I think that’s pretty cool, the depot.” While at the depot, she encountered Bristow Historical Society volunteer Georgia Smith and a patron, purchasing items from the gift shop. They told her of the carriage rides taking place that evening with encouragements to stay and ride as well as to check out the hospital and lake areas whilst they awaited the carriage rides that evening. Indeed, they stayed and wandered about the community, encountering several friendly, helpful merchants, residents, and visitors along the way.
See Visitors, Page Five Their adventure led them into Farmers Insurance, where they hoped to learn more about the toy museum and encountered a very friendly and helpful agent. From there, they roamed north to Dude and Dot Mercantile. Owners Brad and Wendy Hall delighted Karen and Marilynn with their stories of who Dude and Dot were and how their brick-andmortar store came to be. After expressing her love of crafts and home décor, Karen noted that she made a purchase from the Halls before she and her mother wandered over to BroD’s Coffee, Café, and Cleaners, which came highly recommended by both businesses.
At BroD’s, Karen and Marilynn received a helpful and warm welcome from two friendly ladies tending the counter. While enjoying their beverages, Karen recalled that Robert and Kiyla entered with a large group of church youth. The group came to Bristow from Fort Gibson to perform for residents of Rainbow Health Care and Assisted Living Communities. The group also visited BroD’s while awaiting the carriage rides; however, they offered to make arrangements and wait for Karen and her mother to ride first in a very kind gesture.
As they arrived at 8th and Main Street for the carriage rides, Karen once again encountered Georgia Smith and me as we also waited to ride with Sweet Dreams Carriage Rides. Because Marilynn gets around by wheelchair, getting her into the carriage required a team effort. Karen expressed her gratitude for the carriage drivers for helping Marilynn board and disembark from the carriage as the ride proved a special treat for her, saying “Everybody helped to get her on and off the wagon, especially Pastor Steve, because mom really wanted to go. She and I had a wonderful time. The carriage ride was so much fun. How many times do you get to do that in your lifetime? I was really impressed with how kind and nice everyone was. We were there a few hours and loved our entire visit.”
In fact, they loved their December 8 Cowboy Christmas visit so much that they returned on December 14 to ride the Woodland Queen Trolley for Bristow Garden Club’s annual lights tour. She and Marilynn much enjoyed the lights and craft vendors. Marilynn especially enjoyed visiting with Santa and the Grinch, who made her laugh for a long while.