Susan Writes

Before the Christmas memories before fade into 2014 I must find my pencil and paper. You’ve probably already written down what you want to remember about this Christmas Season.  Things that were said and done.  Quiet moments.  Chaotic, loud times.

“Hi, Gran!” said two-year old Dan as he ran toward me.  He’d travelled with his family in cars and an airplane, and he brought me wonder gifts.  A two-arm, around-the-neck hug and slobbery kisses.  Dan’s mother lifted his six-month-old brother, Neil, out of his car seat and laid him in my arms.  And then their cousins, our four Grands who live across town, and their parents came.  I wish that time had moved in slow motion and I could hit replay for those few days.

Husband’s electric candy train under the Christmas tree was derailed after a few trips around the track.  The candy was too tempting for Dan and Elaine, both two years old, so Husband parked the candy cars high on a shelf until after meal times and when more than one adult could supervise.

Cousins Dan and Elaine are typical toddlers.  They climbed onto a wing back chair seat at the same time, wiggled into opposite corners, and eyed each other.  When he tried to hug her, she pushed him away.  Later, as they stood side by side, they both picked up their new identical push toys.  Never letting go of their own toy, they grabbed each other’s and screamed, “Mine!”  Two toddlers, both were holding two toys.

Four-year old Ruth picked up a snow globe, shook it, and asked, “How do you turn this on?”  Six-year-old Lou turned off the bubble light that was plugged into an electric socket.  “Gran,” she said, “It’s been on a long time.  The battery might die.”  When decorating cookies, it’s still true that the more sprinkles, the better, and the more people, the more fun and mess.

While we opened gifts, Dan wore his daddy’s Christmas vest that I made about thirty-something years ago.  Six-year-old Lou arranged her gifts in the order she wanted to open them – smallest to largest.  David, age 8, put on his new Obi Wan Kenobi costume as soon as he unwrapped it and he wore it all day and the next.  Paper, ribbon, boxes flew in the air!  Little girls squeal.  Little boys stomp.

A folded quilt covered floor space for baby Neil.  He rolled, sat up, rocked on all fours, and scooted.  He smiled and laughed, except when he was tired or hungry.  And then the last morning, just before time to leave, he crawled!  Lifted his right knee, moved forward, lifted his left knee, moved forward, and collapsed then onto his tummy.  And he laughed when I clapped and cheered.

Our dining room table was full.  Six adults and six children – three in high chairs.  The first meal we sat around the dining room table that was decorated with red candles and a fresh green centerpiece.  Those decorations were moved to the sideboard before the next meal.  For our last meal together, we had a winter picnic.  We dined on take-out pizza while we sat on plastic tablecloths spread on the floor, and we watched a Curious George movie.

I know I should be making New Year’s Resolutions, but I’m not ready.  I need a little more R and R before tackling 2014.

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Filed under: Christmas | Tagged: Christmas memories, Memories |