Dad's annual project, minus the star on the peak. Mom insisted he stop climbing three stories high by the time this photo was taken. |
Happy times with loved ones rank at the top of my list of personal treasures. Among those the holidays figure prominently, since they present the opportunity to gather more of the family together.
I was lucky enough to know Mom's parents and Dad's mother throughout my childhood. Improved longevity allows even adults the benefit of sharing good times with grandparents these day, but by the time I was fifteen all three grandparents were gone. They provided a lifetime of memories in those short years.
Grandma and Grandpa, Martha and George |
Thirty years ago I wrote a story about one Christmas Eve in the 50's when they provided my most memorable holiday ever. I wrote about it as a gift to Mom and Dad and shared it with my siblings. Since then a Christmas never passes that I don't relive that night through those words. I'm indulging myself by sharing them here, hoping to inspire other grandparents to try something similar with your own wee ones.
Catching Santa
by Sandy Brehl
Christmas Eve had always been the longest day to wait
For
children sure that Santa Claus would
never dare be late
The
big day started early, all
the gifts were wrapped and tied,
And
those with our names on the tags were
rattled, sniffed, and pried.
While
Mom was baking pumpkin pies and cookies were still hot
We
iced each one and sprinkled bits- we
never missed a spot.
Then
Dad would bundle, head to toe, to
check the outdoor lights,
And even when it took him hours he
always got it right.
Besides the windows’ candle glow the trees and shrubs were gleaming.
Up
on the roof a lighted star would
set us all to dreaming
Of manger
scenes and shepherds, too, of
Peace, and Joy, and Love,
Of
elves, and snow, and "Ho-Ho-Ho", and
reindeer high above.
Our wait was nearly at its end once aunts and uncles came.
While
Grandma bustled, Grandpa napped and baby did the same.
Then sunset found us seated ‘round
the table, candles flickered.
While
Dad would say a prayer of thanks, we
prayed they’d all eat quicker.
At
last the meal was over, coffee
drained from every cup.
Each belt was loosened up a notch and
Grandpa’s feet propped up.
Then,
starting with the youngest, on
to each and every one,
The family gifts were opened until
Grandpa, too, was done.
Then
we passed around the cookies, but the best were first unpacked
To
be set aside with carrots and
cold milk for Santa’s snack.
By then it was past bedtime for
the youngest of us all,
And the rest were getting sleepy when
“To bed!” we heard Mom call.
But
we had hoped for just one peek, our
eyes forced open wide.
“A
little longer, PLEASE!” we begged, and
that’s when Grandma cried,
“You’ve never seen that jolly elf or
caught him by your tree?
We’ll
fix all that this Christmas Eve, just
leave it up to me.
“In houses without chimneys how
he’ll come is hard to say
So Pa will guard the kitchen door if Santa comes that way.
So Pa will guard the kitchen door if Santa comes that way.
“And I will watch the hallway door, it’s
closer to the tree.
I’ll hear those hoofbeats on the roof before
he can spot me!
“I’ll hide myself completely in
that corner by the chair,
And
I will be so quiet that
he’ll never know I’m there.
“We’ll watch and wait and listen for
a sign that Santa’s near.
Then Grandpa’s famous whistle will
wake you while he’s here.
“We’ll catch old Santa in the act when
he comes by tonight.
Just
close your eyes and say your prayers when
your folks turn out the light.”
With Grandpa settled near the door and
Grandma’s watch begun,
It wasn’t hard to fall asleep to
dreams of Christmas fun.
It seemed no time ‘til we awoke to
Grandpa’s whistling tweet.
Then
we heard Grandma cry, “Come quick!” and
sounds of stamping feet.
We didn’t pause for slippers as we tumbled down the stairs
Where
we saw Grandma pointing past two
scattered kitchen chairs.
“Pa almost had him! Go, you’ll see!” We
heard some bells a-jingling.
Out
to the snowy porch we ran, our
bare toes fairly tingling.
And
there stood Grandpa, hands on hips, a smile from here to there.
“I
almost had that slippery elf!” His
words puffed frosty air.
“Look
up now, past the rooftop. He
took off ‘round that tree!”
The
oldest shouted, “There he is!” We
short ones couldn’t see.
How close we’d been! Yet back inside our
toes told us to go,
But not before we spied his tracks- deep
bootprints in the snow!
Beneath the glowing Christmas tree were
presents piled up high.
But dolls and cars and games galore still
left us with a sigh.
If only we could all have seen St.
Nick as he stood there,
As close as Grandpa by the tree and
Grandma in her chair.
To see him close enough to touch that
red suit, soft and furry.
To
see his smile, his snow-white beard… oh,
why must Santa hurry?
But Mom and Dad reminded us how far and wide he’d roam
Before
his Christmas rounds were through and
Santa could head home.
Reluctantly,
we turned for bed, and that’s the moment when
We
saw the empty glass and plate where
cookies once had been.
No
doll or dress or bicycle, no
toy from Santa’s pack
Would
ever thrill us half as much as
spotting Santa’s tracks.
If
Christmas is for children, as
so many people say,
Then there’s nothing like a grandma and
a grandpa on that day!
* * *
Grandma Brehl generated memories, too, but they'll be shared some other time. For now, here she is pictured at the center of our lives. Dad and Mom are directly behind her, Uncle and Aunt to the sides, and baby sister in Mom's arms. The squirt in the dark plaid jumper is yours truly.
Can you imagine anything further from the images of Billy Crystal and Bette Midler in the recent release, PARENTAL GUIDANCE? I haven't seen the movie, but it sounds like a story of modern day memory-making. Times change, but it's still true...there's nothing like a grandma and a grandpa at Christmas!
Happy holidays, everyone.
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