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Holidays:  My Christmas gift to you  |
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flowerkeeper
Farmgirl in Training
21 Posts
rhonda
beaumont
texas
USA
21 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 12 2004 : 08:15:24 AM
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a little nostalgia left by my wonderful mother.....
A Very Special Gift
Even though we were a poor family, we kids were unaware of it. We didn't have much in the way of material things, but our Mom and Dad reared us in an atmosphere of love and security, and they somehow managed to provide each of us with a small token of love and affection each Christmas. We, in fact, had sympathy for the less fortunate whom we heard about in Sunday School.
It was my fifth Christmas (1938), and although there were no cameras to record the festivities for posterity, they are securely imprinted in the facets of my mind.
I, along with my sisters and brothers, sat in anxious anticipation around the Christmas tree as my Dad, a giant of a man, distributed the gifts Santa had left.
I looked at the tree carefully and assessed the array of goodies with which it was adorned. Then, beside a lovely handmade ornament, I was drawn to a beautiful little doll dangling precariously from a branch near the top of the tree. I perceived she was mine from the instant I saw her porcelain face smiling demurely at me from her perch in the fragrant pine sapling. As the gifts were issued one by one, I patiently waited for my big moment.
Then at last my Dad dramatically extracted a small knife from his worn pocket, and, with big calloused hands he very gently cut the twine from which the lovely doll dangled.
"Just look what Santa left for my little girl--a very special gift."
Then, he tenderly gave the doll to me in the same manner in which the Godchild must have been presented to Mary. Although inexpensive, I cherished the lovely doll and loved her from the moment our eyes met. She ultimately became my most steadfast companion and Mother Confessor for many years.
Today, as she stands vigil in a special place in my home, I am reminded of so many precious things--
Things--like a poor God-fearing family who had to sacrifice to afford a gift for a little girl on her fifth Christmas.
Things--like my Dad's giant hands--strong enough to fight the battles of the world, yet tender enough to place a fragile doll in the tiny arms of a little girl.
But most of all, she reminds me that Christmas does not have to be served on a platter of abundance--
Just the simple things of life presented with love and affection remain the greatest gifts one can offer.
Merry Christmas to all my farmgirl sisters. My this season bring you blessings and bliss!
all that glitters is not gold, and all who wander aren't lost.... |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2004 : 09:53:48 AM
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Thank you, flowerkeeper. Your mom wrote that? What a treasure for you! It seems the essence of valuing the small but lovingly given things is going extinct. Many children now would cry for days if all they got was a doll off of the tree. And yet, in your mother's eyes, it was a wonderment(and she was right!) from God and from her father. What a good message to think on and teach to others.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2004 : 12:58:15 PM
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Thank you, flowerkeeper. That was beautiful.
Sleepless |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2004 : 1:10:22 PM
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Flowerkeeper, Thank you for sharing your mother's beautiful story...Her words say it perfectly why we celebrate this season of joy. Jenny in Kansas
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
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Holidays: My Christmas gift to you |
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My Christmas gift to you
