Grandma, Grandpa, Little Sis, and Me (the one with the really short bangs)
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A house needs a grandma in it.
~ Louisa May Alcott
~ Louisa May Alcott
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Going to Grandma J.'s house was a treat anytime of year, but during the Christmas season it was extra special with that trembling kind of delightful anticipation. Because somewhere during our visit she would lay down her crocheting, get up from her chair and quietly disappear into her tiny bedroom down the hall. Closing the door behind her with gentle, but firm instructions not to peek or follow her in. We were sure to obey. But we'd grin to ourselves ... we knew something was afoot.
And, sure enough, moments later the door would open and out she'd come with her big apron held at the corners filled with Christmas treats. Sweet smelling mandarin oranges wrapped in green tissue, fragrant B.C. Red Delicious apples, not to mention yummy chocolates with their surprise centers, and the hard ribbon candy in brightly assorted colours and flavours. I was always on the lookout for the ones that tasted like cloves -- a favourite to this day.
We'd eat our Christmas orange -- that's what we called them -- carefully removing the soft peel. I wonder if it was Grandma who showed us how to peel it in such a way as to create a long trunk and two elephant ears all in one piece. And we'd watch mesmerized as she'd take a paring knife and peel the apple round and round in one long, curly piece. Cutting the apple into slices and sharing them with us.
Thinking about that now, I realize it wasn't just about eating chocolates or oranges or apples, but the whole experience was the treat. There was the feeling of sharing something of mutual enjoyment. A quiet contentment as we savoured and relished the sweet treats together. No gulping and no rushing. Just being in the moment. No wonder those memories stuck. They fed more than tiny tummies. They left hearts feeling loved, included, cherished.
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"Sometimes you will never know
the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
~ Dr. Suess
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It's quite a Christmas gift when you think of it that way. Today, I say a little prayer of thanks for this wonderful gift of a grandmother's love and her presence in my life when I was a little girl. And, dear Lord, I'm especially grateful for all those sweet and scrumptious Christmas treats.
The anticipation is building...
Sending you hugs and kisses,
Brenda
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Brenda, such a lovely memory. My grandma was skilled also in the kitchen, and I have great memories of her.
ReplyDeleteI love the memory about the orange peel! My grandma was also a miracle worker in the kitchen and so good with kids. I remember her mincemeat pie (real beef) and raspberry sauce, two of her perfect offerings. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful memories! I love how so many details and senses remain - sights, sounds, scents, tastes...♥
ReplyDeleteOur life was so much richer and fuller for having such a special grandmother! We just took it for granted when we were kids, but what a treasure to be able to look back now on these awesome memories!
ReplyDeleteYour grandmother was obviously a wonderful lady! Grandmothers are treasures aren't they! xx
ReplyDeletelovely post
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Brenda. Such sweet memories to treasure! Susan
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your Grandma, and of course, it makes me think of my special Grandma. We didn't see her often during the holidays because we lived far away, but our visits were special and filled with love. I'm an only child and my parents are both with the Lord now, so there isn't anyone on this earth that I can talk about Grandma with! Hubby and I are both only children, and we have 3 girls and so far we have 5 granddaughters and 1 grandson between ages 2 and 7, and another baby on the way. We're so glad that our girls will have each other to discuss their growing up years with, and the grandkids love being together and we just adore watching them play. You might be around my age, Brenda, I had the same haircut as you did when I was about that age! My Grandma wasn't even my "real" Grandma and my mom never told me that - I had to figure it out myself that Grandma and Grandpa's last name was different from my mom's maiden name. Turns out that my mom was orphaned at age 6 and my G&G were really her aunt and uncle! What a special heart and love they had to take in a child during the depression when money was so tight. I'm so glad they did. My Grandma would make a couple main dishes and tons of sides, and at least 3 homemade desserts, and she would say, "Well, I hope we have everything here, but if we don't, just holler and we'll hunt it up!"
ReplyDeleteI appreciate Glenda (or was it another member?) from our Christian Journaling group for pointing me to your blog!
Susan, aka Soozie4Him
moot96 AT aol DOT com (I don't use the gmail address)