I have been wracking my brain trying to remember back through the years. What gifts have really made an impression on me. Which ones do I keep in that special room in my heart. You know the one…you have one in your heart, too. It’s that room that holds those things that touch you to the core. Those things that stroke your soul. Those things that make you swell with love so big you think you’re gonna burst…or at least cry for a while. These, then, are the memories of some of those things.
Before I start, I need to say something. I know that some of the best gifts are not tangible. Some are gifts of time. Some are gifts of a much needed hug. Some are just a listening ear. I know that these gifts rate just as high as a gift that comes in a box, nestled in tissue and tied with a beautiful bow. But, just for today, I will talk about those given specifically as a gift , for the sake of this post.
Don and I married in 1972. One of the first gifts he gave me was a set of sheets. For our first Christmas together. A set of dark green sheets. A set of cheap dark green sheets…the kind that are rough on your legs and other delicate areas. A set of sheets. Let me just say this in the nicest way possible …. He will NEVER even THINK of giving me sheets again. Never. But, I digress…this is not about those gifts that were better left at the store.
We had Adam in 1975. He was the first grandchild, on both sides. He was also the first nephew for all our siblings. And, as such, was always the center of attention. Don’s sister, Beth, married Steve…and Steve was an artist. He never followed art as a profession, and I don’t know if he even still paints. But…he painted this treasure for Don and I.
This is of Adam’s old tennis shoes. I love this painting! I love what it stands for without speaking a word. A little boy who has worn all the good out of these shoes. He must have run and jumped and played. He must have had a great time in these shoes. Just like little boys should do. This became more dear to me because we had just found out that Adam had a particularly fast form of cancer. I didn’t know if he would live to wear out another pair of shoes or not. It was a hard time, but it was a time that taught us great lessons, as well as built within us a great faith. This picture reminds me that God is ALWAYS in control. And, He can give little boys the chance to wear out many, many shoes! Thanks, Steve! This painting is a treasure still!
Let me tell you a quick funny about Adam and his shoes. My sweet son loved clothes and shoes and always, ALWAYS wanted to look his best. Shirts and pants ironed…pleats just right. Very OCD about his clothes. He and his brothers all had some Converse Hi-tops when they were in style. They were cool and they were stylin’. But especially Adam since he was the oldest.
When he was in the 7th grade, he came to me one day and said, “Mom, I put my shoes (Converse Hi-Tops) on the ironing board. I need you to iron the tongue.” Have you ever heard such? I’m pretty sure I remember flying around the room and trying to keep my head from popping off. And, yes, that was smoke coming out of my ears! And, that VERY SAME DAY….. Adam learned to iron! Oh Yes! we had a lesson before school and another one after school. And, the job of ironing his pants and shirts and SHOES became his! And, you know what? I NEVER IRONED A SINGLE SHOE…N.E.V.E.R.! And he never again asked me to, either! I would still iron his dress clothes, but all the others were his. Funny thing is…it wasn’t long before he did ALL his ironing…he preferred HIS ironing over mine! Now THAT’S a boy who makes his Mama proud!
This is a plate that Mom gave me quite a few years ago. I love the colors and the glazes. She knew I would like it, because it was of a sunflower. And, she was right. Another one of those times when she though about what I would like…
She was so proud to give me this Lladro figurine. Her heart was always so tender toward Alex. It broke her heart that he suffered so much. She would bring him muffins and cookies, and his fav macaroni and cheese. She would make him real mashed potatoes and she would bring him cherries as soon as they came out in the grocery store. When we moved into The Creek House, she went out and bought him 2 sets of some fine sheets…they are so soft and feel divine. She took them and had them monogrammed. She knew Alex would appreciate this. She knew he was in bed most of the time and this would make it a little nicer. So, this little piece was just a reminder from her to me of how much she loved him.
And, on one of our trips…she, Joy, and I…she bought me this mirror. Some of my friends call me The Queen…and she thought it was a great mirror. I love it! It is one of my prized possessions.
I’ll stop here for now. But, I’ll be back…I’ve got more!
When I think back through my childhood, I can’t recall many gifts that I received. I know we always had lots of things to open on Christmas. But, I can not recall any of them. Except the year I got a bicycle. And, I heard them bringing it in the house after I should have been asleep. This had to be about 4th grade. I spent all Christmas Day learning to ride it. I don’t remember any birthday presents either. But, I do remember birthday parties. Just none of the gifts made an impression on me…except for one.
There were several families, especially the J’s and the J’s who had children around our ages, who lived in our neighborhood. Things were so different then. We could have races down the street with the hill…over and over and over and never worry about cars. And, there was the flat street further over. There were also some other children who lived around the area who played with us too, but we were closest with the J’s and the J’s. On this particular day, all the kids were over 2 streets from our house. Joy and I could not go 2 streets over unless Mom or some adult that she deemed responsible was with us. Lydia and Angela and another girl all had skates, and they were skating on the flat street. Now, Joy would push the envelope ALLLLLL the time, but me…being the older and wiser sister…would always try to pull her back onto the straight and narrow. She said we could sneak over there and see them skate and get back home while Mama was ironing. No, too risky. Paths of unrighteousness, I tell you. We (I) asked Mom and she said she would walk over there with us. Mrs. L and Mrs. J were already there. These were the mother of Lydia and Angela…who had the coveted skates.
Now, I’m not sure why we wanted to go over there since we had no skates. Probably Joy’s idea. But there we were. So they were having the time of their lives skating one way and then the next. Skating up and down. Skating alone and holding hands. And, laughing all the time. And, there Joy and I sat, on the curb, head in hands and elbows on knees. Friends, I was sinning. I know I was. Cause I was coveting. I wanted those skate so bad. And, Lydia and Angela had the nerve to wave every time they whizzed by on those silver wheels. I wanted THEIR skates. I wanted them to jump off their feet and land on mine. So that was probably another sin right there. Yes, Mam. I wanted the skates to be mine and for them not to have any! It just wasn’t fair!
Oh, I could just picture myself. I’d run home and change into my tights and short flippy skirt…and the cute stretchy headband I had just gotten. Then I would sit down…very ladylike…with legs leaning to one side . Not one leg over here and another over there for the whole world to see your panties and give your mother a heart attack because you would forever be a girl of loose morals and it all started that day in the 3rd grade! OK, then! I would slide that bar tight to the sides of my black and white oxfords and then lock it into place with my key. My skate key! Oh, that wonderful key! The key that so many of the girls wore around their neck. Even to school or when riding bikes. That heavy grey metal key hung round their neck, shouting, “See me! I’m a key! A wonderful, beautiful skate key! This darling girl who has it around her neck owns my skates. And, you don’t have any! But, she does and she is the coolest girl ever.” At least that’s what it sounded like to me. They just looked dumb. And, I……I wanted to look just like that! Add sin #3..wishing a friend to be unhappy so I could be happy. Surely the Lord covered that in the 1o Rules for Adults and Children. I would have used a pretty cord, too, instead of that ball chain!
Well, finally Mrs L called Lydia over and told her that she needed to share her skates and let me have a turn. Well, of course she should! But, that was not exactly what Lydia had in mind for this warm spring afternoon. No, taking off her skates so I could use them while she sat and watched was not a fun thought. For her. But, it was like the angels singing The Hallelujah Chorus to me, I jumped up and forgot all about the tights and flippy skirt. I just wanted to glide down the street…wind whipping my hair…key around my neck. Well it took two more warnings and the threat of Mrs L taking those skates and throwing them in the dumpster with the dirty and the rats and roaches. Lydia slammed her little fanny down on the side walk curb and jerked those skates off her feet. Her arms were folded across her chest and little puffs of smoke were coming out of her ears. So, I carefully picked up them up and sat down and tried to fit the skate onto my shoe. But, alas, I needed the key. (YEAH!!!) I sure didn’t want to ask for it. But, I forced myself. I said in my best friend voice, ” Lydia, can I use the key, please?” And, y’all, she took it off and chunked it in my direction. Her mother happened to be between she and I, and the key came down…oh it did!..it came down right on her Mama’s head! And y’all again, if looks could punish, she would still be ‘wearing her out’ while she danced around and cried bloody murder. Mrs. L remembered then that she was a Christian setting an example for the little children, and handed the key to me and said, “Here you go, shug. Now you take a ride on those skates.” And, she looked over at Lydia and bored 2 holes right through her head with just her eyes!
Somehow the fun was fast slipping away. I didn’t even want to try them out now. I looked over at Mama and she told me to try them out once…up the street and down…and then give them back. So, that’s what I did. I’m sure I looked divine, but I didn’t even care. They weren’t my skates, and the Lydia did not want me to wear them. The fun I thought it would be was gone. So, I came back to the curb and used the wonderful, magical key to take them off. I sat them down, side by side, very neatly, and handed the key to Mrs. L. And, I said “thank you”. She told me she was sorry Lydia had acted like that. And, Lydia was just sitting there, arms folded, shooting daggers at anyone and everyone. Mrs. J called Angela over and told her to let Joy have a turn now, but, it was not to be. Joy’s feet were just too small. So, Angela asked me if I wanted a turn, but I said I didn’t.
Then, my Mama did a very strange thing. She asked Mrs. L if she knew Mr O’s phone number at work. And, she told her what it was. Mom asked Mrs. J and Mrs.L if they would watch us for a minute and could she go to Mrs. Lessie’s house and use her phone? (That was the closest house to where we were). Mrs. L told her to hurry. And, off Mom ran on some mission. Lydia got her skates back and off she went to catch up with Angela. And, Joy and I sat and watched. In a little bit, Mom came back. I thought for sure she would say we had to go. I was hoping she’d say we had to go. But, no, she sat down and went back to talking to the other mothers. And, Joy and I sat and thought wrong thoughts because we did not have any skates and they would not share. I feel quite certain that I may have said something unkind to Joy for getting us into this mess. And, the ladies talked and we sat and they talked and we sat. The Mothers were enjoying their chat, and the girls were enjoying the skating. And, we were sitting on the curb like a doofus and her sister. I swore (another sin) that if I ever got home, I would never come back and watch them skate ever again in my whole entire life.
In about 30 minutes or so, we saw Mr. O drive into his driveway, coming home from work. He worked at Sears. He got out and went into the house and in a few minutes, he came out where the Mothers were sitting and handed the package to Mom. He said, “I was able to get your package…the only one left.” Mother told him thank-you, and that she would send Tonja Lynn (me) over to their house in a little bit with a check. Now, maybe we could go home. Mom called me to come over where she was and said, “I think you will find something in here that you will like.” And, she gave me the brown Sears bag. I took it and reached inside. There was a box inside and I pulled it out. You know what it was, don’t you?
I remember jumping around like I’d gotten into a swarm of bees and hugging my Mama again and again. Joy was agast! Where were hers? But, she didn’t say anything. Mom and Pop had taught us from a very early age that we would not always get the same things. One of us may get something we needed, but it could be the other one next. It was based on the situation. And, we also learned it was in our best interest not to question this decision our parents made. And, besides, it was working pretty well in my favor, at the moment!
I can see myself sitting on the curb and fitting them to my shoes. Mr. O helped. But, that’s it. I do not remember skating with them. Or skating along with my friends. I don’t remember ever using them at all. Though I am sure I did!The memory is of the gift. Oh! they were shiny! And, no scratches on the wheels. And, there it was….the KEY! I was a happy girl. The blue birds of happiness had flown right down and lit on my shoulders. They held a banner in their beak that said, THIS IS ONE HAPPY GIRL I’m pretty sure I saw flutter byes flying around, too.
Mom gave me something I dearly wanted. I didn’t ask for it. I didn’t say a word about skates. It was a gift out of the blue. As excited as I was to get them…I wonder why I don’t remember ever using them? Maybe the ‘giving’ of the gift was of more importance than the gift itself. Perhaps the knowing that my Mom wanted me to have something I longed for was of some importance to me. I remember how it felt when I realized what she had done. How special I felt! I feel the same way today some 50 years later. And, let’s be honest here…I had committed 3 sins while sitting there, and I don’t remember ever repenting. So, I guess I probably…well…maybe…just a tiny bit did not deserve them.
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There is much to think upon when you think back on the gifts that have made an impression on you through the years.
Here are pictures from Christmas at the Creek House…
Ian bought his Christmas gifts before he came home. And, he decided to go to Baby’s R Us to get something for Suzanne. He obviously had fun looking around, and he told me it was surprising all the things that they made for babies now. We all got a big laugh when Suzanne opened her gift from him! He wants Little Levi to wear this often!
He loves sweet little John Thomas, and the feeling is certainly mutual. Hopefully he is learning some good skills to use when Levi gets here.
John Thomas was such a joy to have around on Christmas. We all had fun with him and he was so good. His very smart Mom and Dad have wisely made music a part of his life every day…and he loves it! Actually, when he hears music, he begins moving his hands up and down like he’s leading music. No, he doesn’t even know about that, but that’s what it looks like to us! Almost as an afterthought, I got him this little snowman. He sings and sways as he sings Deck the Halls. Great idea, Tonja! Let me just say that if you hear Deck the Halls 1329 times in one day, it begins to get a little weary…but he loved it every.single.time.
Ian has been the official turkey carver for the past several years. But, this year, he said it was time for Alex to learn. So, here those 2 clowns are…in MY aprons…carving our Christmas Turkey!
Here’s Joy and John Thomas
Finn wanted to join in on the fun…
And, let me show you my favorite gift from the day. It is from Alex. This is one of my personal mottos…and he has observed it through the years. Thanks, Alex…I love it
The Owens’ Family…..
The McKibben Family…..
The Cousins……….
Wish I knew how to make those last 3 larger. Sorry.
On Christmas Eve, it is our tradition to have a meal of boiled shrimp and cheese biscuits. This year, Don also got lobster claws and crab claws. Suzanne is not a big seafood fan, and it really is not my favorite. So, I made she and I some potato soup. Here are the boys chowing down. I don’t know why it required so much mess on the island!
Tonja…Pop…Joy
Tina and Patty came over on Christmas Eve and helped me with a few things…..I love these 2 girls!
Ian woke me up on Sunday morning to say “see you later”…
Don has a few words of wisdom for him to mull over on his trip home….
He pulls out of the driveway, looks back to wave once more, and sets his sights toward Birmingham. Don and I head inside…..he to read the paper, me back to bed. And, this ends the Christmas doings for 2010.
But, it’s not really over , is it? Not until every Santa, elf, wreath, ornament, garland, tree, candle, holly, wrapping paper, bow, ribbon, and beautiful angel is put away to wait for next year.
Oh, and those little ornament hooks, you know the small ones? They have a way of hooking themselves on to the bottom of couches and rugs and pillows and…….
I do not mind staying in the bed, IF I am sleepy…or IFI have a book…or the computer. I can not just lay there and be still and quiet. Too many thoughts running through the brain with nowhere to go. If I have a great idea…it gets lost and I can’t find it again. I’ll remember that I had a great idea…but not what it is. Isn’t that ridiculous? And, frustrating…very frustrating.
So, when I wake up at 4:47 or 5:22 or 3:23…I get up. First to the kitchen to get a little something to eat. If I use the microwave…I have to push the door to verrrrry carefully. Then watch the numbers and pop the end button before the 5 dings that signal the food is warm. Those dings sound all through the house. Don hears them and is not happy in the least. Finn hears them and thinks a bandit is breaking in and announcing his arrival with dings. Alex never hears anything.
I take my food into the studio, usually…and watch the news. Fox News is always on, with perky people looking fresh as a daisy telling the world what happened while we slept. J*y Beh*r reruns are also on early too…but she just makes me ill. She is so negative about everything, and really refuses to see another side of a situation, other than her own. To be truthful, she is better on her own show that she is on The View. I really want to ring her neck when I see her on The View. Not that I condone violence. I’m just saying… BUT if I time it just right, I can watch a whole Joyce Meyer message. I really like to hear her speak, as she hits you right where you need it. And, she is a much better person for me to listen to. She has lived a hard life and come through the other side. I would love to hear her in person one day.
Today, however, I went into the living room and sat next to the Christmas Tree. It stands there. in the corner…shining its heart out. The sweet angel, that belonged to my Mom, continues to stand guard over the house. At the moment, it is in the highest position in the house, looking down on all that is happening in the lives below.
And,her gown! Oh, her gown! It is made up of every color in the spectrum! In the form of beautiful mercury glass ornaments. They are wired to the tree to keep them safe. And, there is not an empty space on the 10 foot tree. Originally, when I started to collect mercury glass ornaments…they were hard to find. And, as such, my collection grew slowly. I was always on the look out for some and found them in the strangest of places. Then, I suppose, the world heard about me collecting them and decided to copy me and collect them, too. So, they began to be manufactured by several companies. Some are as light and fragile as an empty egg shell. Other ones, which I prefer, are very substantial. You really feel the weight when you hold them. Then, you know you have the more authentic ornaments. I started with only the silver…which is still my preference, but as the tree is so tall…I had to get it filled up. And so, I started grabbing colored ones, too.
The first Christmas that we were in the Creek House, Alex gave me 3 of the most beautiful large red ornaments.
There is such depth and mystery to them…almost as if there is something magical hidden deep inside. Who knows? Maybe they are just filled with the ‘magic of Christmas’.
Here are some of the different sizes and textures, as well as colors. But, many more colors than shown.
Standing so regal, there in the corner, she wore the most beautiful presents as her shoes. And, oh what a beautiful throw in shades of red and blue and yellow, lay there to keep her tootsies warm when the cold breezes blew. “Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue…” and all the other colors, too! But, now on this day, December 28, she stands in bare feet. The hard, green legs of the tree stand, the only bit of color there.
And, as soon as I get some new boxes, the lights will go out and the ornaments will come off . Then someone taller and stronger than I, will separate it into 2 parts and put it in its bright red bag. The lights stay on. That is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?
A Christmas tree is meant to be a festive accent in our rooms as the presents we will share wait underneath. But, when the presents are gone…its job is done for the year. It looks a little forlorn standing at attention, when its work is over. So, I shall work quickly to get it to its resting place. Then it can hibernate until it’s called into duty again 11 months from now.
I am a Christian woman who has survived many years on the planet. God has blessed me with a wonderful family: husband, 3 sons, a dear DIL, and a precious grandson. I also have dear friends to keep me inspired. I am an artist of sorts and am finding my way through the great blessing of retirement. I recently retired after 20 years as a music teacher. Life is good!
My Boys
"All your sons will be taught by the Lord; and great will be their peace." Isaiah 54:13
Read their stories... Adam Alex Ian
Hello, my name is Everly. I am a blogger living in New York. This is my blog, where I post about interior design and decoration. Never miss out on new stuff.
Hello, my name is Everly. I am a blogger living in New York. This is my blog, where I post about interior design and decoration. Never miss out on new stuff.