Christmas Is Always Nigh!

Christmas Is Always Nigh!

By

B.D. Adams  ©2016

   Ah, ‘tis the season. Love and joy abound. People you don’t know smile and say Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël, Feliz Navidad, or Fröehlich Weihnachten.

   Most every family, I would think, has a story or two about Christmas. I wrote a story (The Best Christmas, circa 11/2014) about my son when it seemed he still believed in Santa Claus. He knew about Santa but didn’t want me to be disappointed that he knew the truth. Of course, more than anything, he probably didn’t want to get fewer presents. And, of course, he found out he would continue to get presents even though he knew about Santa.

   This story, however, is a story from my childhood. About how I learned something from my vintage grandmother. Isn’t that how we learn? From older family members?

   It was 1960 or 1961 – I was 10 or 11 -- and I knew about Santa Claus.

   This was summertime. I was visiting with my paternal grandmother. I called her DeeDee. She lived in Rosenberg TX – not far from Houston. My family and I lived in Victoria, almost 90 miles from Rosenberg. My parents allowed me the time with her

because I was a well behaved little girl and I dearly loved DeeDee.

   We had just returned from a beach outing on Galveston Island. This was my all-time favorite place to go. DeeDee would go in the surf with me. A fabulous memory!

   We showered (separately) to wash off all the salt water and sand.

   As I showered, DeeDee made an early supper of fresh caught fried Gulf shrimp and her homemade Cole Slaw. Always so delicious! We sat at the small kitchen table because it was only she and me.

   We would talk while we ate. Our subjects would go all around from her friends and routines, about my friends, school, my brother … and so on. She always encouraged me to be politely verbal especially about my brother.

   One of my subjects went to Christmas, how I wished it would get here sooner. To spend Christmas with her, go to church with her, to sing the songs about Baby Jesus. And open the presents!

   DeeDee softly laughed.

   “Why are you laughing? You like Christmas, don’t you?” I frowned slightly.

   She grinned widely and said, “Of course, I do. However, sometimes I wish it would take longer to get here.” She winked at

me as she finished her Cole Slaw.

   “Longer? DeeDee, it takes forever now! I mean it's five months away,” I argued.

   “Sweetie, for me it’s five months closer,” she said with her heartfelt smile.

   With my confused expression, DeeDee tried to explain as best as she could.

   “I used to feel as you when I was your age. However, as I got older, it seemed that Christmas was always just around the corner. You’ll see – after you have children of your own, you’ll understand.”

   She motioned for me to come to sit on her lap, which I did. Then she gave me a wonderful hug and kissed my forehead. “One day, you’ll understand.”

   And, as time passed, I understood my grandmother’s meaning. At one time, I even passed her lesson on to Jacob, who will do the same for his children.

Merry Christmas!