What’s in Your Treasury?

By

Gerry Niskern

Everyone is concerned that their Christmas won’t be good this year. They want to be with their closest loved ones and Covid 19 is keeping that from happening.

Yes, it is, but most people have a treasure trove of memories that they can dig down into. If they try hard, they can find bits and pieces of wonderful Christmases past. I think it can carry them thru this frustrating time, if they try.

I’ll share some of mine. How about you?

The snow flakes were hitting against the windshield and fanning out in swirling perfect circles. I had never seen them put on that  display before, but then I had never been allowed to sit up front between my mom and dad before either. You see, I had on a little green fairy costume instead of my warm snow suit so they decided I needed to sit up by them and the heater. We were on our way to  our little country school and I was going to be in the first grade Christmas program. The snow was coming down hard, but the show must go on! I’ll never forget those magical snowflakes!

Mom and dad both grew up in families that didn’t have the luxury of Santa Claus. My mother was one of thirteen children and Christmas in that Orthodox Catholic family consisted of church services in the morning AND the afternoon. The adults sat on benches on the front and the children stood  in the back. That was followed by a special Christmas dinner.

My dad’s mother raised eight children on her own and had no money for Santa either.

So when my sister and I came along, my parents loved going all out for our celebration. They put up a big tree after we went to bed and decorated  it then. We always thought Santa brought it! They made sure Santa left lot of presents under that tree too. One special memory that I recall was a small Cedar chest that my dad gave my mom, and it was filled with chocolates! Then he surprised each of us with a miniature version of Mom’s chest, full of chocolates too. Somehow, that gift, exactly like our mother’s made me feel very special, a good incentive for little girls.

The frozen snow always crunched like popcorn as we hurried up the sidewalk to the sagging, old kitchen porch at my grandma;s house. The sound of love and laughter pulled us in. Of course, we didn’t expect present at that Christmas on January 6^th, but there was something much better; a house full of cousins!

How about you? Can you dredge up some good times to carry you thru this year?

“For the win”

By

Gerry Niskern

Have you ever woke up because you sensed that someone was staring at you? I opened my eyes to  a little pair of eyes staring down at me.

“Hey, Grandma Gerry. ‘member that game?” he whispered quietly. I looked at the clock. It was five A. M. and the sun wasn’t even up!

On that morning many years ago, that three year old  little grandson was anxious to play a board game that I had introduced to him the evening before.  I think it was called Hi Ho CherryO.

Games at Christmas; the most fun of all. Sure Video games are great,  but right now I’m thinking of all the games I would like to play with my three year old Great-Great Grandaughter. She’s the granddaughter of that little boy who woke me many years ago.

She lives in another town, but I know she would love Old Maid, Go Fish, Slap Jack, Crazy Eights, Chutes and Ladders, CandyLand and I could go on  and on. And she would be good at them too!

Sure, everyone says “Christmas is for the kids”, but I think it’s for the Grandparents too. I look forward to the time when dinner is over, all the presents have been opened and we can get down to the important business of the day; the game. A game that all ages can play together. Trivia, Smart Ass, and Guesstures (a version of Charades) are a few that our family loved

That grandson who woke me up years ago to play will get another game from me this year as usual and so will his little granddaughter..

What was your favorite Christmas present?

By

Gerry Niskern

Can you think of the favorite Christmas present that you received in your whole lifetime?

Of course, all of Santa’s surprises were wonderful when you were a kid. I remember rushing down on Christmas morning and finding toys under the tree. Nothing was wrapped. They were just there, right where Santa dropped them!

Then as I got older I became more aware of the true spirit of giving gifts to loved ones at Christmas. In my teens I couldn’t wait  to exchange gifts with my girl/boy friends. Then it happened. That special boy gave me a small beautifully wrapped package. Inside was heart shaped locket made of gold and embellished with rose gold. It opened, and inside on either side was a space for two tiny photos.

Years later, at Christmas, my new groom, the Locket Guy, brought a large box home. He shut the bedroom door and tried to quietly wrap the contents of the box. When I heard something clanging and banging on the hardwood floor, I immediately thought, “If he bought me a vacuum cleaner, like some HOUSEWIFE, I’ll kill him!”

On Christmas morning, when  I opened his gift to me I  found a tiny FeatherWeight sewing machine. I loved it.

Other totally surprising and thoughtful gifts come to mind. : a beautiful silver coffee/tea set for my ladies group meetings, a luxurious Aqua blue gown and robe that he let the kids pick out on their own, Best of all, right after baby number three was born he brought home the latest kitchen item, a portable dishwasher. This tired young mother felt like she had a maid!

Years later, when they first came out, he surprised me with a microwave. I was not happy! I had read too many stories by all the skeptics that they were dangerous and could cause all kinds of health problems. Now, think about it.  What would we do without our Microwaves?

Finally, he settled into the tradition of a generous gift card from Barnes and Noble that warmed the heart of this “Book Worm” wife.

So, what was your favorite Christmas gift that you ever received? If I had to choose, I know that I will always treasure the gold heart locket with our tiny  photos inside, but I think  the portable dishwasher won, hands down!