Country Christmas

When we were kids, we would always go home for our family's Christmas get-together. Mama's folks never had much. My Grandpa had farmed all his life, ever since he was a young boy. Grandma was a true country farm wife who had worked in the fields, and was for the most part beaten down by life. She never seemed very happy, but when our car pulled up she would always come out on the porch with a huge smile and give all of us a big hug. That was her happiest point. She was not big on decorations, only a small tree with homemade decorations. Even though there wasn't much money, every one had a gift. I can remember one year getting excited because when I opened mine it was a box of salt water taffy. Daddy whispered to me, "You better open the box first". When I opened it, it was a shirt rolled up.....no taffy. That's usually what we got. I know being a kid I hated getting those shirts, but I can appreciate them now. They had to sacrifice to give all of us something. It was fun all of us being together, especially because my Granny was there and I knew before long we would run down the hill to her house.

Out of every thing, the one thing that always stuck with me was the one decoration on the porch: A big plastic Santa face that lit up. I loved it. No other decorations I remember, just that. You know in the country there are no city lights, no street lights, so you could see that Santa face for a little ways. When every thing was done, we would get in the car to head home. It was dark. I would turn around in the car and watch as long as I could, until that big, plastic Santa face faded from sight. All these years later when I think of that, my heart fills up. I get choked up. My heart is glad again. I don't know why that one memory is so strong, but hope I never forget.

Today with all my Christmas decorations are two my brother gave me which I treasure. On my front door, and on the side door, I have a big, plastic Santa face that lights up. When I see them, I remember those Christmases so long ago and my heart is glad again.