GOOD-BYE, 2008

This year is rapidly drawing to a close. Thought today might be a good day to look back into the past and reflect on childhood memories of the days between Christmas and New Year's Day.

First of all, because my Mother, Grandma and favorite aunts were all FANTASTIC cake and cookie bakers, I will have to confess that during this week after Christmas I was absolutely sated after consuming the variety of "goodies" which had been available all during the holidays. Aunt Rheumell's fresh coconut cake, Aunt Edith's chocolate chips, Mom's gingersnap cookies, and Grandma's applesauce cake vied for "favorite" during the season, but if forced to choose the one I'd hate most to do without, I'd have to say "THE GINGERSNAP COOKIES". Even today, there is still something about smelling the aroma of gingersnaps cooking in the oven that evokes waves of nostalgia.

Out of school for the holidays, there was lots of time to play with cousins who lived nearby....and we did so every day. New toys were shared, new clothes were modeled, and nothing was more enjoyed than spending time at Grandma's with all the cousins....those who lived nearby, as well as those "town cousins" who joined us in the country for Christmas. Our grandfather was not so busy during this season, and we loved it when he'd take us for long excursions in the woods, regaling us with tales of his childhood....causing us to appreciate even more all the goodies and toys which we had received that year! Looking back now, those days would be considered dull by the present generation. But, in reflection, I can see just how much we were blessed by the time and attention shared by our grandparents. "Fun" was "homemade".....those impromptu walks in the woods, creativity encouraged by the writing and presentation of "skits" demonstrating something that had impressed one of us during the year. No television blaring....no addictive computer games....no trips to "the mall" to parade up and down with our friends. Just lots of love and laughter and family bonding as we explored and discovered how wise the older generation truly was.

I really can't remember ever being "bored" during the holidays. Something was always available to do. In addition to our daily chores, we were encouraged to look for ways to bless other members of the family by performing small gestures of kindness that were totally unexpected. Small things....such as clearing the table after a meal (without being told to "help our Mother"). And I'll never forget the year when my Mom brought out the box of scrap fabrics and announced that it was time I learned to cut quilt squares. Cutting the squares and laying them out into various patterns to design a quilt top was creativity at its MAX as far as I was concerned! I could already imagine the many nights during the winter months when I'd sit before the open fire, sewing those squarss into one big quilt top.

Because our house was heated with wood, there was always need to "bring in an armful of wood" to keep the kitchen stove and the open fireplace in the living room ablaze. There is nothing at all more relaxing than lying in front of an open fire, listening to "grownups" discussing world affairs, or, on rare occasions, listening to the radio. Many nights, I'd be awakened as my Dad gently lifted me up from the floor where I had fallen asleep before the fire.

Sound boring? To the average child today, I'm certain it does. But, I cannot help but think the current generation is being cheated! All the memories they will have to draw from are the "hurry, scurry, hustle, bustle" of constant activity during the holidays. I wish it were within my power to take each of my beloved grandchildren back into the past, when "things" were totally unimportant in comparison to the "times" spent with family.

As we say goodby to 2008, let's welcome the New Year with the mindset of the past, and commit ourselves to "being" rather than "doing" during the year to come.
God has the perfect year prepared for us.....let's forget our agenda and follow His!