LOST GINGERBREAD MAN
Every one of our tree ornaments has meaning, so I cherish the opening of the boxes and the yearly rediscovery of my treasures.
We have ornaments from my husband’s and my childhoods, and those reminding us of our trips and special dates and events in our lives. But the most cherished of all are the numerous handmade trinkets — especially those from our boys.
Of these, the ungainly, fragile, tape-reinforced gingerbread man is my favourite. Every year when I retrieve him from his protective tomb, the memories of my 5-year-old Peter come flooding back.
In kindergarten in Mississauga 20 years ago, the most wonderful teacher, Miss Harrower, read a story about a lost gingerbread man and involved her students in followup activities. Peter would come home each day excited, enthusing about searches for the missing gingerbread man.
I was in awe of Miss Harrower’s management skills — imagine taming a group of Santa-Claus anticipating, rambunctious kindergarteners days before the holiday! Peter proudly brought us home his non-cookiecutter creation and it has hung (OK, it really sits) front and centre on our tree every year since. Barb Low, Sundridge, Ont.