Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Christmas Cards (11/06/08)
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TITLE: To Grandma's House We Go | Previous Challenge Entry
By Steve Hosey
11/13/08 -
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Excitement and anticipation exuded from us three kids as the time for our annual visit to Grandma’s grew near. Every year we would make the trek north to Ohio for the family reunion. Our paternal grandmother and grandfather lived in a part of Ohio where it almost always snowed around Christmas. Since we seldom received any snowfall in Alabama, we looked forward to our visit to Grandma’s and playing in the snow.
As the departure date drew near, Mother would make a list of things we needed to take and assign the three of us responsibility to get each of our thing together. Marty, the oldest, Jan, the next oldest, and me, Steve, would quarrel over who would do which chore until Mother would step in and divide up the assignments.
The sights, sounds, and aromas of Grandma’s house at Christmas time were etched in our memories. Cider and spiced tea brewing on the stove, cookies baking, evergreen everywhere, and the turkey baking on Christmas morning was euphoria to all the senses. Mother always had to remind us not to spoil our appetites by snacking on all the goodies before mealtime but we usually couldn’t resist the temptation.
With the trip to Ohio being such a long one, we kids really tried our parents’ patience with the typical sibling arguments, aggravating one another, and the repeated question, “Are we there yet?” As we finally approached Grandma’s and Grandpa’s house, the scene was a splendid real- life Christmas card: freshly-fallen snow, a decorated house nestled in the woods, Christmas lights inside and out, and a whisk of smoke rising from the chimney.
How our grandparents managed with such a house full of children and grandchildren still amazes me but they seemed to take it all in stride. All of us took time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, to give thanks for family and our blessings, and to listen every year as Grandpa read the Christmas story.
That living Christmas card will always be in our hearts.
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