In Loving Memory of
Ella Belle Camden Devine
October 21, 1914 to April 4, 1986
As the mother of three daughters, there are many things that we do together, some as a family and some individually. We do crafts together, write stories together, take bike rides together and watch movies together. And, although the girls are usually around to lend a helping hand – and sometimes an unhelping hand – when I’m cooking, I can’t remember ever baking cookies together. I have always been in a hurry with baking, or else I will do it while the girls are in school, but I don’t have any memories of me and the girls baking cookies together. But I do have terrific memories of baking cookies with my Granny Devine when I was a little girl.
Side by side, Granny and I would make sugar cookies in her small cramped kitchen. I remember my Granny’s house as being very small, but very big on love. When the entire family got together at Granny’s, we were packed in, but I can never remember anyone complaining. Anyway, the two of us would be steaming up the kitchen as we made our cookies. We would mix the ingredients and beat them all together, by hand – no electric mixer for Granny. We rolled out the dough on her kitchen/dining room table to the exact thickness. Then we would cut out the shapes and place them on the parchment lined cookie sheets. You know, I can only remember one shape of cookie, and that was circles made with an old glass from the cupboard. In to the warmed, gas oven the cookies would go.
Yummmmm … I can smell it now. That delicious scent of Granny’s sugar cookies baking in the oven. I always had to have the first one immediately out of the oven, uncooled and unfrosted. What a joy! We continued baking like this until all the dough had been used up. Thirty years ago, it was okay to eat the uncooked cookie dough, and I was always sneaking a lick off the side of the mixing bowl.
Once the cookies were baked and cooled, then came the fun part – frostings all our creations. Granny would have several different colors of frosting – red, blue, yellow and green. As I got older with a family of my own, I realized that these colors came from food coloring, but back then, I thought Granny was magic! We would frost and lick our fingers until all the cookies were done. Mine never looked as good as Granny’s, but she always told me mine were beautiful. What a compliment coming from my beloved Granny. When the icing was dry, we would pack the cookies in boxes and tins that my Granny kept stored under her bed. I, of course, got to take some cookies home to share with my family
My youngest daughter already has several memories that she loves to share with me, and one memory is of her and her Mamaw baking Valentine cookies for her preschool class. According to my mother-in-law, there was plenty of mess to clean up, but my daughter won’t remember that. What she will remember is being in the kitchen and helping her Mamaw with the baking.
What wonderful memories I have of my Granny Devine! She was such a caring and loving woman. I lost my Granny in 1986, but her memory lives on in the stories that I tell my childr3en. Will my children have memories of their own to share with their children? I hope so. We talk about the past quite a bit just so they can remember things like family traditions at Christmas or fun times at the amusement parks, or picnics in the park. I want them to be able to take great family memories into their futures. And my wish for the future … I just hope that I can be half the grandmother that my Granny was to me.
© Bobbi Rightmyer, February 1999
Wednesday, February 3, 1999
Saturday, January 2, 1999
A Far Cry From Perfect
Well, Christmas is over and the New Year is upon us. Where did the tie go? It seems like the older we get, the faster time slips through our fingers. We are powerless to stop it. All we can do is make the best of things. New Year’s is a time of rebirth, a time of hope, and a time of fulfillment. Resolutions are all around us … just waiting to start their magic.
This year, I want to be a better parent than I was last year. I try really hard, but I’m a far cry from perfect. I help with daily homework, constantly read new stories, and help cram for those big tests. I give suggestions on improvements and advice on resources. I lend a hand whenever needed and an ear when problems arise. I am a weekly school volunteer, I am active in the PTOs, and I offer help wherever needed. I have a tendency to not be able to say no. But sometimes my patience runs thin. Sometimes the arguments between my youngest two can break a camel's back. Sometimes I yell, sometimes I scream, sometimes I cry in vain. Sometimes the back talk, from all three, will test the best of saints.
So, instead of trying to be a better parent, I will try for a happy medium. I will continue o help while controlling my temper. Maybe, mommy needs a “timeout,” sometimes, instead of the girls. Maybe, mommy needs to go to bed early, or be grounded from her favorite things.
This year, I want to be a better Christian. I try really hard, but I’m a far cry from perfect. I read my bible, I pray each day, and I attend church, but no on a regular basis. I have drifted from my religion, and I can’t explain why. My girls attend church every Wednesday, and they are active in mission works, but where am I? I drop them off every week, then I hurry hoe to catch the news. After all, you don’t get much “alone” time when you have three children. To be a better Christian, I must start from inside. I must examine my reasons for straying, and then try to pull everything together. I must remember that I am a role model for my children. Monkey see, monkey do.
This year, I will be a better wife. I try really hard, but I’m a far cry from perfect. I give my spouse unconditional love and support, and I receive that in return. Sometimes we just sit and talk, even if there is housework to do. Sometimes we will watch television together, even if there are clothes to be washed. And we always have “date night” at least once a month. But, sometimes we both get angry, sometimes we snap and yell, sometimes we just don’t listen, and sometimes we don’t seem to care. I have many weaknesses that I must try to control, because, before I can become a better wife, I have to become a better person.
This year, I want to be a better parent than I was last year. I try really hard, but I’m a far cry from perfect. I help with daily homework, constantly read new stories, and help cram for those big tests. I give suggestions on improvements and advice on resources. I lend a hand whenever needed and an ear when problems arise. I am a weekly school volunteer, I am active in the PTOs, and I offer help wherever needed. I have a tendency to not be able to say no. But sometimes my patience runs thin. Sometimes the arguments between my youngest two can break a camel's back. Sometimes I yell, sometimes I scream, sometimes I cry in vain. Sometimes the back talk, from all three, will test the best of saints.
So, instead of trying to be a better parent, I will try for a happy medium. I will continue o help while controlling my temper. Maybe, mommy needs a “timeout,” sometimes, instead of the girls. Maybe, mommy needs to go to bed early, or be grounded from her favorite things.
This year, I want to be a better Christian. I try really hard, but I’m a far cry from perfect. I read my bible, I pray each day, and I attend church, but no on a regular basis. I have drifted from my religion, and I can’t explain why. My girls attend church every Wednesday, and they are active in mission works, but where am I? I drop them off every week, then I hurry hoe to catch the news. After all, you don’t get much “alone” time when you have three children. To be a better Christian, I must start from inside. I must examine my reasons for straying, and then try to pull everything together. I must remember that I am a role model for my children. Monkey see, monkey do.
This year, I will be a better wife. I try really hard, but I’m a far cry from perfect. I give my spouse unconditional love and support, and I receive that in return. Sometimes we just sit and talk, even if there is housework to do. Sometimes we will watch television together, even if there are clothes to be washed. And we always have “date night” at least once a month. But, sometimes we both get angry, sometimes we snap and yell, sometimes we just don’t listen, and sometimes we don’t seem to care. I have many weaknesses that I must try to control, because, before I can become a better wife, I have to become a better person.
Friday, December 25, 1998
Christmas Memories and Sausage
It is hard to believe that the Christmas season is upon us again. Where did the time go? It seems like the older I get, the faster time goes by. In the blink of an eye, the 1900’s will be gone and we will be staring at the new millennium. It all seems surreal. New memories will be made and stored, to mix with the old memories of family and loved ones.
Another think I have noticed about the fact I am getting older, is the type of memories I am remembering and cherishing. Family traditions and closeness are among my top memories. As I try and preserve these memories, with paper and ink, for my children, one particular Christmas memory leaps to mind. This memory is not of Santa, or presents, or candy. This memory, believe it or not, is of sausage and mustard.
When I was a little girl, my family lived in a small house in a wonderful subdivision. We were friendly with all our neighbors, and we always visited, especially during the holidays. Just thinking about my old neighbors brings an ache to my heart. I have live3d in my present home for over five years, and I still only know a handful of my neighbors. People just don’t visit like they did in the 60’s and 70’s, and I am just as guilty as the next person for not visiting.
Anyway, on this particular holiday night, one of our neighbors was having a Christmas party, and everyone was invited I was only eight, or maybe nine years old, and boy, was I ever looking forward to going to this party. But as fate would have it, on the day of the party, I got sick. I don’t remember what was wrong with me, but I do remember that my mom said I was too sick to go to the party. I was devastated! For a child, missing Christmas party is a major disappointment. My mom promised to bring me back something from the party, but it wouldn’t be the same. I would miss all my friends and the games we would play.
Cry as I might, I stayed home the night of the party. My brother and sister happily left with my mom, leaving me at home with my dad. Now, I loved my dad very much, but spending a night at home, alone, with him was not something I looked forward to. Little girls just seem to have a hard time talking with their dads, I thought for sure I would be stuck watching the news all night, since, back then, we only had one television.
So I plugged in the Christmas tree lights and plopped down on the couch to POUT! Pouting is something that I did, and still do, very well. I just sat there and stared at the television screen with a mean look on my face. To my surprise, my dad turned off the news and turned on a Christmas show. He then came over and sat by me on the couch. There we sat, side by side, neither of us saying a word. As my anger of being sick faded, I melted into my dad. As I snuggled up to him, he put his arm around me, and we watched the show together. We didn’t say a word, but I could feel the love flowing through the room. I felt so happy and content.
After the show, we were both hungry, so we headed for the kitchen. Now, my dad wasn’t much of a cook, in fact, as a child, I’m not sure if I can ever remember him cooking. After much debate, we decided that dad would fry some sausage we would eat sausage sandwiches for supper. As the sausage simmered, I puttered around the kitchen, trying to help my dad. I was in seventh heaven! I felt so close to my dad, the feeling was unbelievable.
When the sausage was done, we began assembling our sandwiches. Dad had said that we could eat in front of the television, so I was in a hurry to settle back down on the couch. Then I saw my dad do the strangest thing. He pulled the mustard out of the refrigerator, and began spreading it on his sausage. Mustard on sausage! Ugh! I thought that was the most disgusting thing I had ever seen. Bust dad convinced me to try a little bit, so, of course, I did.
As the two of us, again, sat side by side on the couch that warm, fuzzy feeling crept back in. There we sat, Christmas tree lights twinkling, a Christmas show playing the television, and the two of us eating sausage and mustard sandwiches. The love I felt for my dad at that moment was…indescribable. We sat there, together, for several hours, until mom and my siblings returned. Of course, she brought me some Christmas cookies, but that magical moment with my dad was broken…but never forgotten.
Now a days, I have a family of my own, and I hope they take great memories with them into adulthood. Our holiday season is built upon many family traditions, and some non-traditions. I want them to always remember how much I love them. Sausage and mustard may not be one of the things my girls remember, but for me, every time I cook sausage, I think of my dad. Since that one holiday night many years ago, I have never eaten sausage without mustard. For me, sausage and mustard will always remind me of my father’s love.
© Bobbi Rightmyer, December 1998
Another think I have noticed about the fact I am getting older, is the type of memories I am remembering and cherishing. Family traditions and closeness are among my top memories. As I try and preserve these memories, with paper and ink, for my children, one particular Christmas memory leaps to mind. This memory is not of Santa, or presents, or candy. This memory, believe it or not, is of sausage and mustard.
When I was a little girl, my family lived in a small house in a wonderful subdivision. We were friendly with all our neighbors, and we always visited, especially during the holidays. Just thinking about my old neighbors brings an ache to my heart. I have live3d in my present home for over five years, and I still only know a handful of my neighbors. People just don’t visit like they did in the 60’s and 70’s, and I am just as guilty as the next person for not visiting.
Anyway, on this particular holiday night, one of our neighbors was having a Christmas party, and everyone was invited I was only eight, or maybe nine years old, and boy, was I ever looking forward to going to this party. But as fate would have it, on the day of the party, I got sick. I don’t remember what was wrong with me, but I do remember that my mom said I was too sick to go to the party. I was devastated! For a child, missing Christmas party is a major disappointment. My mom promised to bring me back something from the party, but it wouldn’t be the same. I would miss all my friends and the games we would play.
Cry as I might, I stayed home the night of the party. My brother and sister happily left with my mom, leaving me at home with my dad. Now, I loved my dad very much, but spending a night at home, alone, with him was not something I looked forward to. Little girls just seem to have a hard time talking with their dads, I thought for sure I would be stuck watching the news all night, since, back then, we only had one television.
So I plugged in the Christmas tree lights and plopped down on the couch to POUT! Pouting is something that I did, and still do, very well. I just sat there and stared at the television screen with a mean look on my face. To my surprise, my dad turned off the news and turned on a Christmas show. He then came over and sat by me on the couch. There we sat, side by side, neither of us saying a word. As my anger of being sick faded, I melted into my dad. As I snuggled up to him, he put his arm around me, and we watched the show together. We didn’t say a word, but I could feel the love flowing through the room. I felt so happy and content.
After the show, we were both hungry, so we headed for the kitchen. Now, my dad wasn’t much of a cook, in fact, as a child, I’m not sure if I can ever remember him cooking. After much debate, we decided that dad would fry some sausage we would eat sausage sandwiches for supper. As the sausage simmered, I puttered around the kitchen, trying to help my dad. I was in seventh heaven! I felt so close to my dad, the feeling was unbelievable.
When the sausage was done, we began assembling our sandwiches. Dad had said that we could eat in front of the television, so I was in a hurry to settle back down on the couch. Then I saw my dad do the strangest thing. He pulled the mustard out of the refrigerator, and began spreading it on his sausage. Mustard on sausage! Ugh! I thought that was the most disgusting thing I had ever seen. Bust dad convinced me to try a little bit, so, of course, I did.
As the two of us, again, sat side by side on the couch that warm, fuzzy feeling crept back in. There we sat, Christmas tree lights twinkling, a Christmas show playing the television, and the two of us eating sausage and mustard sandwiches. The love I felt for my dad at that moment was…indescribable. We sat there, together, for several hours, until mom and my siblings returned. Of course, she brought me some Christmas cookies, but that magical moment with my dad was broken…but never forgotten.
Now a days, I have a family of my own, and I hope they take great memories with them into adulthood. Our holiday season is built upon many family traditions, and some non-traditions. I want them to always remember how much I love them. Sausage and mustard may not be one of the things my girls remember, but for me, every time I cook sausage, I think of my dad. Since that one holiday night many years ago, I have never eaten sausage without mustard. For me, sausage and mustard will always remind me of my father’s love.
© Bobbi Rightmyer, December 1998
Saturday, November 28, 1998
The Persuasions of Wal-Mart
Walk into Wal-Mart immediately after Halloween, and what is the first thing you see? Well, the first thing I see is not seen at all. I hear Christmas carols; Christmas carols before Thanksgiving! I hate to see the seasons rushed, but boy, listen to them. Doesn’t it just put you in the mood for the holiday season? Be remember, Bobbi, you are just here to pick up some AA batteries. Christine, my 6 year old, and I must move on. I don’t have time for Christmas shopping today. No, Christine, we are not here for cookies, or candy or chips, for that matter.
Let’s see … batteries … batteries … where are those batteries? No, Christine, you can’t have a candy bar. Oh, I wish they didn’t stock the candy on such a low shelf she sees everything. Ok, ok, just stop crying and you can have one candy bar. No, you can’t open it now. Wait until later. Now, what was I looking for?
Look at those cute little shirts! Wow, they are on sale. Well, the sign says they are on sale, but I can’t find the shirt I like with a sale tag on it. But this one is so adorable. My middle daughter, Marie, will just love this; she just loves Cookie Monster. Can you imagine, a 14 year old that still loves Cookie Monster? $24.95, I’ll just let them find the sale price when we check out. Hey, maybe she needs a new pair of pants to go with the shirt. Hmmm, these are perfect, $19.95. I hope these are the right sizes, I just hate to return things, especially at holiday time.
How did we get way over here? I don’t think I’ll find batteries down the video aisle. Look at this! X-Files: Fight For the Future, wow, and it’s the wide screen version, just what my hubby was looking for. This will make a wonderful gift for his Christmas stocking. $16.99, what a good price. And look, here is the new Shania Twain CD, my oldest, Amber, has been wanting this every since she saw Shania in concert. I guess I had better get it now before they are all gone.
Excuse me, Miss, where is everyone going in such a hurry? Sales special! In the bedding depart. Come one, Christine, let’s check this out. Sheets, blankets, towels, we could use plenty of these $22.99, $13.95, $6.50 each. These will come in handy.
Christine … Christine? Now where is she? Christine … oh, there you are. No, you don’t need a new craft kit. You still have one at home that you haven’t finished. Please get up. No, I let you get a candy bar, so you can’t get a craft. No! Please stop crying, honey. Ok, pick out a small paint set, and I mean one of the small ones. And, you had better stop that crying right this minute! Come on, sweetheart, let’s find the batteries so we can go home.
Ok, Bobbi, you’ve got to get out of here before you spend all your money. Let’s see. I still need to get some shampoo and soap. No, Christine, you can’t get a toy. No, I just let you pick out a craft kit, and you’ve got a candy bar. No, no toys. No, not even a book. I know, they’ve got the new Christmas books out, but it’s too soon to buy one. Ok, you can get a book, but you have to take the craft kit back. Please, don’t start whining. Come on, honey, you can’t have everything you want. Please don’t start crying. Ok, ok, one coloring book and that is it. No you cannot have new crayons. Pick out a coloring book and be quick about it.
Wow, look at the pretty Christmas lights. I shouldn’t be looking at these, I just got through carving pumpkins last week. I’m not ready to switch to Christmas so soon. Oh, my, there are the twinkling lights that I wanted last year. I never got any because they were all sold out. Maybe I’ll just get a few packages now while they’re in stock. Yes, Christine I see the Winnie the Pooh ornaments. Aren’t they the cutest things? Oh, I just can’t resist ornaments. I sometimes think I’m as bad as the kids are. I think maybe I’ll get one or two. I don’t know, maybe we need the whole set. I’d hate to get one or two and then not be able to get the rest. This is definitely the last thing I’m putting in this shopping cart. But I feel like I’m forgetting something.
Gosh, now I have to wait in line. Oh yeah, I forgot, we need a TV Guide. And I can never find a lighter to light my candles. I’d better get some gum for the older girls. $127.43! My hubby is going to kill me! I can’t believe that I spent this much money. Things are so expensive now a days.
Come on, Christine, let’s go home. Yes, now you can eat your candy bar. Just don’t get it all over everything. You know, you really wear me out when I take you to town. No, we can’t go to McDonald’s for lunch. We’ll eat a sandwich at home. Gosh, I feel like I’m forgetting something. I knew I should have made a list before going into Wal-Mart. Oh well, I guess I’ll remember what it was later. After all, I make three to four regular trips to Wally World every week. And who know, with Christmas coming …
© Bobbi Rightmyer
Let’s see … batteries … batteries … where are those batteries? No, Christine, you can’t have a candy bar. Oh, I wish they didn’t stock the candy on such a low shelf she sees everything. Ok, ok, just stop crying and you can have one candy bar. No, you can’t open it now. Wait until later. Now, what was I looking for?
Look at those cute little shirts! Wow, they are on sale. Well, the sign says they are on sale, but I can’t find the shirt I like with a sale tag on it. But this one is so adorable. My middle daughter, Marie, will just love this; she just loves Cookie Monster. Can you imagine, a 14 year old that still loves Cookie Monster? $24.95, I’ll just let them find the sale price when we check out. Hey, maybe she needs a new pair of pants to go with the shirt. Hmmm, these are perfect, $19.95. I hope these are the right sizes, I just hate to return things, especially at holiday time.
How did we get way over here? I don’t think I’ll find batteries down the video aisle. Look at this! X-Files: Fight For the Future, wow, and it’s the wide screen version, just what my hubby was looking for. This will make a wonderful gift for his Christmas stocking. $16.99, what a good price. And look, here is the new Shania Twain CD, my oldest, Amber, has been wanting this every since she saw Shania in concert. I guess I had better get it now before they are all gone.
Excuse me, Miss, where is everyone going in such a hurry? Sales special! In the bedding depart. Come one, Christine, let’s check this out. Sheets, blankets, towels, we could use plenty of these $22.99, $13.95, $6.50 each. These will come in handy.
Christine … Christine? Now where is she? Christine … oh, there you are. No, you don’t need a new craft kit. You still have one at home that you haven’t finished. Please get up. No, I let you get a candy bar, so you can’t get a craft. No! Please stop crying, honey. Ok, pick out a small paint set, and I mean one of the small ones. And, you had better stop that crying right this minute! Come on, sweetheart, let’s find the batteries so we can go home.
Ok, Bobbi, you’ve got to get out of here before you spend all your money. Let’s see. I still need to get some shampoo and soap. No, Christine, you can’t get a toy. No, I just let you pick out a craft kit, and you’ve got a candy bar. No, no toys. No, not even a book. I know, they’ve got the new Christmas books out, but it’s too soon to buy one. Ok, you can get a book, but you have to take the craft kit back. Please, don’t start whining. Come on, honey, you can’t have everything you want. Please don’t start crying. Ok, ok, one coloring book and that is it. No you cannot have new crayons. Pick out a coloring book and be quick about it.
Wow, look at the pretty Christmas lights. I shouldn’t be looking at these, I just got through carving pumpkins last week. I’m not ready to switch to Christmas so soon. Oh, my, there are the twinkling lights that I wanted last year. I never got any because they were all sold out. Maybe I’ll just get a few packages now while they’re in stock. Yes, Christine I see the Winnie the Pooh ornaments. Aren’t they the cutest things? Oh, I just can’t resist ornaments. I sometimes think I’m as bad as the kids are. I think maybe I’ll get one or two. I don’t know, maybe we need the whole set. I’d hate to get one or two and then not be able to get the rest. This is definitely the last thing I’m putting in this shopping cart. But I feel like I’m forgetting something.
Gosh, now I have to wait in line. Oh yeah, I forgot, we need a TV Guide. And I can never find a lighter to light my candles. I’d better get some gum for the older girls. $127.43! My hubby is going to kill me! I can’t believe that I spent this much money. Things are so expensive now a days.
Come on, Christine, let’s go home. Yes, now you can eat your candy bar. Just don’t get it all over everything. You know, you really wear me out when I take you to town. No, we can’t go to McDonald’s for lunch. We’ll eat a sandwich at home. Gosh, I feel like I’m forgetting something. I knew I should have made a list before going into Wal-Mart. Oh well, I guess I’ll remember what it was later. After all, I make three to four regular trips to Wally World every week. And who know, with Christmas coming …
© Bobbi Rightmyer
Thursday, December 25, 1997
Christmas is Green ...
Cold, damp, dreary. Why did she love these types of days so much? Everyone else hated these days, but she relished them. Maybe it’s because they reminded her of the holidays.
The holiday season was fast approaching. Just today a Christmas commercial came across the television screen. It’s amazing how those types of commercials could make her tear p. She wanted her girls to have the same kind of feeling for the holidays that she had. Sure things were different now. Kids were different, environments were different, and demands were different.
When she was younger, she simply lived for the holidays. She would start drawing pictures of Christmas trees way before Halloween. She loved to read any books that dealt with the holidays. She loved to pretend she was Snowbound with Betsy, or fantasize of a Christmas in the Big Woods. Reading only served as the fuel source for her imagination.
Christmas music; beautiful gospels, traditional tunes, and children’s classics. You could hear them everywhere during this season. Her favorite song used to be “March of the Wooden Soldiers.” Even though it was an instrumental song, she would always make up dances to match the movements of the music. Even today, at the age of 35, this song makes her well up with tears.
Christmas lights – oh, how she loved Christmas lights. Sparkling red, yellow, blue, and green … especially green. She would dig in the basement until she found the worn box of Christmas decorations. Then she would plug the lights in just to watch them glow.
At Christmas time, she used to lie under the tree just to look at the lights. Beautiful, dancing. She would always sneak out of the bed at night, turn on the tree lights and fall asleep on the couch, dreaming of sugarplums and the anticipation of the season.
Green was always her favorite color. Back when she was a child, Christmas tree lights were the large, screw-in types. She and her two siblings each had a particular side of the Christmas tree that they called their own. Mother was always complaining because the children would change the colors on the tree. One side would be all red, another blue and yellow, and of course, the green side.
It gave her great pleasure to have one side of the family Christmas tree to call her own. She would place her handmade ornaments upon the branches, as well as the traditional ones. Santa always left her presents beneath her side of the tree. Always …
Snowflakes, the Christ child, Granny Devine’s home cooking, the color green ...these always reminded her of the Christmas season. She now wants the same for her children. Christmas Eve Church services, a birthday cake for Baby Jesus, supper at Nana’s and MaMaw’s, and the color green … no, not green. Her three girls are all passionate about the color blue. Blue for Christmas? Oh well, times are changing.
© Bobbi Rightmyer, December 1997
The holiday season was fast approaching. Just today a Christmas commercial came across the television screen. It’s amazing how those types of commercials could make her tear p. She wanted her girls to have the same kind of feeling for the holidays that she had. Sure things were different now. Kids were different, environments were different, and demands were different.
When she was younger, she simply lived for the holidays. She would start drawing pictures of Christmas trees way before Halloween. She loved to read any books that dealt with the holidays. She loved to pretend she was Snowbound with Betsy, or fantasize of a Christmas in the Big Woods. Reading only served as the fuel source for her imagination.
Christmas music; beautiful gospels, traditional tunes, and children’s classics. You could hear them everywhere during this season. Her favorite song used to be “March of the Wooden Soldiers.” Even though it was an instrumental song, she would always make up dances to match the movements of the music. Even today, at the age of 35, this song makes her well up with tears.
Christmas lights – oh, how she loved Christmas lights. Sparkling red, yellow, blue, and green … especially green. She would dig in the basement until she found the worn box of Christmas decorations. Then she would plug the lights in just to watch them glow.
At Christmas time, she used to lie under the tree just to look at the lights. Beautiful, dancing. She would always sneak out of the bed at night, turn on the tree lights and fall asleep on the couch, dreaming of sugarplums and the anticipation of the season.
Green was always her favorite color. Back when she was a child, Christmas tree lights were the large, screw-in types. She and her two siblings each had a particular side of the Christmas tree that they called their own. Mother was always complaining because the children would change the colors on the tree. One side would be all red, another blue and yellow, and of course, the green side.
It gave her great pleasure to have one side of the family Christmas tree to call her own. She would place her handmade ornaments upon the branches, as well as the traditional ones. Santa always left her presents beneath her side of the tree. Always …
Snowflakes, the Christ child, Granny Devine’s home cooking, the color green ...these always reminded her of the Christmas season. She now wants the same for her children. Christmas Eve Church services, a birthday cake for Baby Jesus, supper at Nana’s and MaMaw’s, and the color green … no, not green. Her three girls are all passionate about the color blue. Blue for Christmas? Oh well, times are changing.
© Bobbi Rightmyer, December 1997
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