Christmas at Grandma’s

1    After my father died in 1947, mother went to work to support us.    By the time I finished high school, I had been looking forward to spending Christmas with my friends. But two weeks before Christmas, mother told me we were going to my grandmother’s house for the holiday.

2    My grandmother and bachelor-uncle Henry lived on a farm some 15 miles out of town. They had no electricity or running water, and lacked what I considered the “good things” in life. They also made no plans for Christmas.  But I had!  I was holding down my first job and was feeling quite grown up.  I had intended to share this special time with my friends, not some relatives at an old farm. But as the day drew near, I realized that nothing would change mom’s mind.

3     When Christmas Eve arrived, mom told me in her best “I-mean-it” voice to remove all the decorations from our Christmas tree.    She packed them up, along with all the trimmings needed for a complete turkey dinner.

4     Christmas morning dawned perfectly, with the sun shining brightly across a fresh blanket of snow.     But I sat in the backseat of the car silently, feeling upset when we made our way to grandma’s. This was going  to be the worst Christmas I had ever had!

5    Grandma was surprised to see us as we walked up to her door. “What on earth are you doing here? We weren’t expecting anyone. It’s Christmas, and I don’t even have a turkey to cook for you.”

6     “I knew that,” mom said as we set boxes of things on the kitchen table.     “That’s why we brought one with us.”

7   “We must have a tree,” mom insisted. “Otherwise, what will we do with all these decorations?”

8        Uncle Henry quickly caught mom’s spirit and called me to join his search for a perfect tree in the woods nearby.

9    Soon the house smelled fresh and pleasant as we decorated the tree, and the day took on a festive air. The turkey dinner was very good, too. I was actually beginning to enjoy this unusual Christmas Day. Dessert was forgotten until mom came out with the final surprise — a flaming Christmas pudding! “Merry Christmas. Mother,” mom said.

10     “Dear me!” grandma gasped.    “I haven’t seen a flaming pudding since I left England. This is the best Christmas ever!” Tears of joy filled her eyes.

11     I couldn’t keep the tears from my eyes, either. I knew then that mom had also given me the best Christmas present ever —     she had taught me what a beautiful thing it is to give.