Holidays, Fairy Tales and Miracles
When my mother was a little girl she would get a set of paper dolls and pajamas every year for Christmas.
I remember her telling me about the year she got a real doll for Christmas. It was really special to her.
another time when she was little she went to the store and wanted to purchase a doll that she didn’t have enough money for.
as she told me the story my heart broke for her. I could only imagine my mother being a little girl and her disappointment to leave that doll behind.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not a super materialistic person. In fact, I am more of a minimalist. Presence is worth more than presents but let’s be honest ~ all of us as children have wanted something we couldn’t have or afford.
When I was in High School I asked my mom to describe the doll she didn’t get from the store. Every year I hunted for a doll that was close in description and got her that and a set of pajamas for Christmas.
That tradition slipped away along with others.
This year my parents went through a huge transition.
as I was contemplating Christmas I remembered my mother’s story about the doll and the pajamas.
Instead of trying to replicate the doll she didn’t get ~ I chose a tiny dollhouse doll that she can set on her dresser or place in her wallet so that when she sees it she has a small reminder that I love her.
I also ordered her a pair of pajamas. (She doesn’t read my column so I’m not spoiling her Christmas surprise.)
There is so much pressure around the holidays to try to make everything special. Sometimes we over do it. Speaking of over doing it…
Les and I had Thanksgiving on Sunday with all of our kids. We had it catered from Nelson’s Port-a-pit but we still needed to warm everything back up.
He forgot to take the meat out of the freezer on Saturday for Sunday so the reheating process was a bit of a challenge. (I’m smiling as I write this.)
To reheat the turkey, the ham, the meatballs, the corn, the beans, the stuffing, the gravy, and the mashed potatoes we had the crock pot plugged in, every burner on the stove going, the microwave heating and every inch of the oven filled with trays. Les also made homemade Lasagna and macaroni and cheese.
Smoke was filling the house as juices burned off the bottom of the oven ~ it was a scene from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation! I had my very own Clark Griswold! For those of you who are not familiar with the movie ~ it’s about a man who bent over backwards to make Christmas perfect for his loved ones with a series of events making it very difficult to do so.
(This is a far cry from the Grinch version of Les who won’t let me put up our Christmas Tree early …. still not up!)
I was helping with the meal prep but there was only so much two people could do in one kitchen.
after opening some windows and doors I took a moment to just admire his effort as I waved the smoke away to get a clear view.
Despite our best efforts the meats were still not reaching temperature. We called Robert Listenberger (a friend of ours who has been in the food service industry all his life for those of you who don’t already know him) to help us navigate the challenge! after some texts, photos, and a speaker phone teleconference we had a plan.
Thank you Robert ~ your suggestions worked! See HOLIDAYS A12