Construct Cup -- Sometimes, it isn't what you get... |
Theme: Your favorite or most memorable Christmas. Be descriptive and let us in on the backstory as to the why it stands out in memory. Words to use: Any and all you wish :) Forbidden words: Free day :) Additional parameters: at least 48 lines. Pennies and Wishbooks Christmas 1978 we rolled pennies to get our tree and at that, it was sad, a mishapen bundle of sticks rained needles even as Dad and I carried it in the house. Looked so small, needy as we set it up in the stand-- less than five feet tall where, in previous years, a twenty-foot tree reigned. No money for gifts-- baby food and diapers were priorities. My infant daughter's first Christmas. We joked that at least she wouldn't remember it. We did though. Just out of the Army. Came home to find out my dad's company had folded. The star leaned, canted. Sears Roebuck's Wishbook. And we wished big for life to turn round. Cut out pictures of what we'd give if money were no option on the Christmas when money was not an option. Wtapped pictures in old wrapping paper; put those beneath the tree, watched as needles fell like our spirits. Spent rolled pennies on oranges: an absolute to have in the toe: at least one tradition would be maintained. Seventy-two rolls of collected pennies: thirty-six dollars. Tree was ten. Won a turkey at the church festival when Mom's name was pulled from the jar. She'd already had a chicken in the freezer: donated the turkey to a family worse off than ours. Felt so good. Christmas Eve, it seemed as if the star was straighter in the tree even though most of the needles blanketed pretty, mostly empty boxes below. We sang Christmas carols as we put my daughter to bed. It hurt that there'd be no Santa this year. Dad said he believed it would be one of the most special Christmases ever, as he said goodnight. The little girl in me wanted to still believe. In the morning, we opened boxes to discover pictures of mother's rings, tablesaws, big, floppy teddybears and a new oven. We laughed and giggled and it was good. Last presents had some weight to them. Small jewelry box dad made for Mom, a horse carved into wood for me and a jointed wooden doll for my daughter. Tags read from Santa saying to always believe. Most important thing in each box had been love. I collected and kept the wishbook pictures of things for Mom and Dad. Over the years, got them every single thing. Even the delivery man from Sears was in on the story wishing Mom, Merry Christmas, 1978 when he showed up at the door in June, 1982. I remember how bright and straight and true the star was on Christmas morning. Far again and away the best Christmas ever with the best tree we ever had. |