And, Grandma hosted the annual {marathon of a} family party. It always included good food, a ‘talent show’ by the grandkids, and a re-enactment of the Nativity. The culmination of the evening, the part she joyed in the most, was watching everyone open up presents. She’d sit in her chair, directing traffic. I was the oldest grandchild and the official present-hander-outer. She pointed and told me who got what, and in what order. Sometimes, if she bought people the same thing, she had them open their gifts at the same time. That bit of frenzy always made her laugh.
Grandma didn’t have good health, so she couldn’t trudge through the mall. She was a catalog shopper. This was, of course, before the days of cyber-Monday and Amazon, so she had a huge basket full of catalogs from practically every retailer in the country. She scoured the pages, circling items and dog-ear-marking pages. I discovered that I could get a pretty good ‘sneak peek’ at what the Christmas party held in store if I stealthily perused her catalog stash. When she couldn’t find something by mail order, she’d send Grandpa to ZCMI, ad in hand, with specific instructions on what to pick up. She left nothing to chance (or to Grandpa!). I’m sure her Christmas shopping took the better part of 4 months, but this was the day she lived the rest of the year to witness.
Grandma’s gifts were always just right. She had a keen memory for any casual comments made throughout the year about something you needed or were wishing for. And, often, she found something you didn’t even KNOW you wanted, but was just the perfect thing. Grandma could create magic with her gift-giving.
Nine years ago, Grandma and Grandpa had just returned home from our annual family party. She had joyed, once again, in the giving of just the right gifts. Her heart, I’m sure, was full.
And, then, it stopped. She passed away on Christmas Eve.
I miss Grandma. Especially at this time of year. I’m not sure ‘good gift giving’ is a talent I inherited from her. I’m always stumped and wish she were around to lend advice to my own Christmas list. But, thinking of her and her gift giving ways always reminds me of these words from our Savior:
“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” ---Matthew 7:9-11
I’ll always be grateful for the ‘good gift’ my Grandma was to me, given by a loving Father. He is the ultimate giver of good gifts, for He gave His Son for whom we celebrate and because of whom we can ‘joy in the giving’ at this Christmas season.
This is me, with a 'thank you, Grandma!' on my lips. Again, the perfect gift!
7 comments:
Beautiful story, Adri! You have quite a gift with the written word. I love the picture, too!
Good thing I read this at home so I wasn't bawling my eyes out while at work. I miss grandma too. You always seem to have a better memory of our childhood than I do. Thanks for sharing.
You have a better memory of EVERYTHING than I do! And, you know how to write things in a way that is enjoyable and touching to read. How I wish I could have some of your talents! Thanks for sharing this. I was thinking about Grandma, too, and wishing my kids could know her. Someday...
Ok, so I cried. And she wasn't even my grandma. I loved the picture of her carefully selecting each gift from the catalogs and waiting, with excitement, for each kid to open their gifts. Lovely.
This made me cry, too. I thought a lot about her while I planned the traditional party this year. I knew Grandpa had lost interest, but I wanted to it to be something that Grandma would have had fun at. We also played a lot of games during the holidays and the joy of playing games with Grandma was often the topic while we played. Graci has been praying for her "grandma in heaven" lately in her prayers. I believe she knew her and that Grandma sent her to me. One of the best gifts I have ever received from her!
What a beautiful tribute to such an amazing person. She continually touches my life every day....her example and devotion and love was a gift that keeps on iving. It made me cry too. Thanks for sharing. I think we all think of Grandma often, and especially this time of year. I miss her and cannot wait for my family to meet her as well.
Thanks for your story, Ade. We are all lucky to have someone like her to look up to, if only she could have stayed around a little while longer. I'm glad we all have such good memories of her and that we can pass along some of her to our families. I love the stories that you share, you are so talented!
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