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kim hayes
home for christmas
k
im Hayes will never forget how her mother explained the meaning of Christmas as so much
away unexpectedly in 2010, Kim’s stepfather decided to sell the house. Kim sadly agreed that it was the
more than just the gifts under the tree. “That was a very exciting, almost magical, time in
right thing to do. “But, as months passed, this house continually pulled at my heart. I could not bear to
our home. Mom instilled in us the love of Christ, and His birth was a celebration.” Each year,
part with it. All the hard work and love Mom had put into it was a part of her, and she was a part of me.
Kim anticipates the arrival of the holiday that her mother began decorating for shortly after Thanksgiving.
I could not bear to lose it, too.” Kim ultimately decided to sell her house in Dillon and move into her moth-
“My mom always went above and beyond to make our Christmas special. It was so exciting to help her
er’s home. That first night, she knew she had made the right decision. “It was so cold and the power had
decorate. She sang along as Christmas music filled our home.” Once Christmas Eve arrived, Kim could hardly
not been turned on yet. As I lay in bed, with candles burning on the mantle in this 100-year-old house, I had
contain her excitement. “We attended Candlelight Services at church, visited friends, and then came back
never felt more safe in my life. I knew this was where God wanted me.”
home to eat a wonderful meal. My dad would ride me and my brother around to look for Santa’s sleigh
before bed. When I was little, I don’t think I ever slept a wink on Christmas Eve!”
My favorite room in the house has always been the kitchen. It was Mom’s also. She loved touring older
homes and always dreamed of a beautiful kitchen to cook in. I knew that I wanted the same. For two years,
Christmas will always hold a special place in Kim’s heart, especially now that her mother has
I have looked and saved different things I liked about kitchens. This year, I was finally able to transform
gone to be with the Lord. “The whole atmosphere of our home was transformed with decorations
that vision into a reality.” While the kitchen is modern with a traditional flare to reflect the original time pe-
and the smells of Christmas. I remember coming home from school and the house would smell glo-
riod of the home, Kim added a special touch to the room her mother loved most. “Above the kitchen table
rious. I loved watching my mom bake. She was so passionate about her cakes, pies and cookies, and
is a hand painted prayer that Mom created before she passed away. It is so precious to my family.” Pieces of
they were awesome!” Her favorites were the homemade chocolate pies and pecan delight cookies.
her mother’s memory are in many other places, as well. “Her Bible and journal are on my nightstand table.
“I was allowed to crack the eggs and sift the flour. I always complained about that sifter, it was so hard
I love to read through her journal, in which she noted a lot of her favorite Bible verses and thoughts on life.”
to turn. Mom would say ‘Quit complaining and get that sifter going!’ as she kissed my forehead.” Kim’s
Word spread of the beautiful work that had been done to the home, and Kim was approached about
most cherished memories are of all of the family gatherings on Christmas Eve. “Mom would cook all
opening it to the public this year for the Latta Tour of Homes. Declining at first, Kim eventually realized the
day and, after church, we would have all of our family over. She always had Christmas music playing…
importance of being a part of the tour. “I knew I had to do this for my mother and her memory. She loved this
I can still see her so vividly, dancing to the music with my daught ers. Her smile and happiness were conta-
house so much, she would have been honored to have it on the tour. My mother was a wonderful person with
gious, and she was definitely the heart and soul of our family.”
a heart of gold who loved her family and friends. This would be her Christmas gift to them in her memory.”
Kim’s mother was also very fond of the home she shared with Kim’s stepfather. Built in 1900, it is on the
As Christmas approaches, Kim can’t help but smile as she looks around her home. “I know if Mom
National Historic Register. “My mom always wanted an older home, and she found one in her hometown of
could see the house today she would be so proud. I feel like she was with me the whole time, through the
Latta.” However, the house was in need of major renovation. “My stepfather, my brother and I began help-
grace of God, helping and inspiring me to make the decisions for the renovations. This has truly been a
ing Mom in our spare time. My brother and I landscaped the yard for her and began painting the inside. She
miracle to get everything completed before Christmas so I can carry on the tradition of her legacy with
and my stepfather refinished floors and replaced wiring, along with other projects.” When her mom passed
my girls.”
Kim Hayes, daughter of Fran Kate Moore Parker Patrick and Timothy Wayne Parker, resides in Latta, South Carolina, with her two children, Christian-Kate and Grace Kelly.
She is a Medical Lab Technician and Assistant Lab Supervisor for Dillon Family Medicine. Kim’s home will be available to tour on December 5th through the Latta Tour of Homes.
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DECEMBER 2015
SHEMAGAZINE.COM