His oldest daughter had just given
him a hug, said “Good Night Dad” and headed for her car. She was the last to
leave. We were just finishing up our traditional task of “putting up” the
annual Christmas Tree.
He
could not remember when the family had started putting up the tree on the 7th
of December, which was his Birthday. He only remembered it had been many years
ago.
As
his daughter closed the door and got in her car he took a big breath and
thought to himself, “thank heaven that is over for another year.”
But
was he happy?
In
just a few minutes he had picked up a few odds and ends, dropped them on the
kitchen table and walked down the hall turning off each light, as he passed
them. As he walked, the thought came again, am I tired or just excited?” I am
not really tired, and I do not have to do anything tomorrow unless I want too.”
A
little grin came on his face as he turned around and went back up the hall,
turning the lights on as he passed them. A thought came to his mind about
Christmas’s past. In fact many thoughts did and before he knew it he had told
himself, I do not have to go to bed, I can get a snack, sit in my favorite
chair and think and reminisce of past Christmas’s that we have celebrated in our home.
He
sat down and got his rocker going and squeaking, and just as he thought they
would, memories started coming. He had turned on the tree lights again and just
as he thought they would, the memories and a few sad times popped into his
head.
The
first thing on the tree that caught his eye was the two Santa ornaments. There
were 12 in the package when we bought them back in the 1960’s, but there were only two left and they were a
treasure---If they only could talk? I think they were made out of a material
called gilt. He snickered to himself again and thought how, did they survive
this long with all the little hands that
had played with them over the years.
On
the kitchen cupboard stood Mr. and Mrs. Claus who was crocheted by his Mother in
the 1970’s. And yes they also are a family treasure.
He
looked at the porcelain Nativity set and a lot of pictures, and thought maybe
it was time to go to bed. I would have plenty of time to reminisce between now
and Christmas.
He
thought about his “Magnificent Seven” his pet name for his seven Great Grand
Children. And just an hour ago his old house was rumbling with children’s
noises, just as it has in the past. The next thought was,” how could seven
little people make THAT MUCH noise?” And the interesting thing was they could
pass it on from one generation to the next.
He
chuckled again as he recalled the years past when Santa came to our home on
Christmas and brought everyone a present. To receive your gift each person had
to sit on Santa’s lap and report that they had been good! One year when he sat
on Santa’s lap and Santa asked if he had been good, all the children shouted.
NO, but as Santa reached for a lump of coal for Grandpa’s gift his oldest Grandchild yelled He is good,
he is always good. And I think she had a tear drop or two fall, as she grabbed
the lump of coal and hid it in the basement.
Oh
how many memories and how many good times were held in their home throughout
the years and now in his old age they are only memories.
After sitting in his favorite chair and
reminisced about his favorite time of year, he slowly got up and walked down the
hall----Not with memories of sugar plums dancing in his head---but wishing that
his wife (who was the spark-plug of the family) could have been here to
celebrate with us.—But then who knows ----PERHAPS SHE WAS? MEMORIES
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