- It is December of 1969 and Grandma and Grandpa Saunders come for a quick visit to see their very first grandchild. At one point in time John decides to welcome Grandpa by wetting through his diaper onto Grandpa's lap! I remember Grandpa not being real sure he is old enough to have a grandchild (he was 52). Of course over the couple of days John is seldom in his crib but always in some one's arms. Nobody had any idea that John would be the first of many many grand children and great grand children.
- It is the winter of 1956. Friday, December 21 is the Christmas program at Wood Lake School. For some reason I was chosen to tell the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus. Remember this is a public school! I have read and reread and reread the story over and over and over again until I know each and every word. Some students sit around me as I begin the wonderful story of how Jesus was born and came into the world to save all of us. Later Mom tells me that she thought I would never end as she told me I went on and on and on. After the program there are treats which for me are the highlight of the evening. Once again, as we head home, Dad refuses to start the car to warm it up. Helen sits between Mom and Dad in the front seat and Dave, Joan and I huddle in the back. By the time we arrive home, after the short drive, there is a tiny hint of warm air in the car. I am not sure if it is from the heater or from the 6 bodies in the car. I kiss Mom and Dad good-night and scamper up the stairs to undress and dive under the feather tic cover. As I drift off to sleep I think of Jesus in the manger and I wonder if he kept warm enough!
- It is Thursday, December 24th of 1959 and the weather is cold cold cold. It is seldom that I look forward to doing chores in the dark of winter but this night is different. As I trudge out to the barn I know that most of the cows will be inside. That means that the aroma and the heat from them will welcome me when I open the door. Chores tonight will be short. I need to check the water tank, the calves need hay, five of the cows need to be milked but that will not take a long time. I wonder why we have Shorthorn cows because they give very little milk compared to Holstein cows. The chores will go fast because after I am finished there will be lefsa, lutefisk, boiled potatoes and then presents. I am hoping that one of the presents will be a new puzzle. I love to put puzzles together on New Years Eve and stay up late late late. One of the problems in doing that is we always fry potatoes on the cook stove and then the buttery grease on our fingers stain the puzzle pieces BUT it is fun. I hope against all hope that I do not get socks for Christmas. Sure I hate to fold over the sock toes that are too long and those holes that Mom missed make for uncomfortable walks but really, socks for Christmas! I hope there are some more games to play as that Touring Card game is almost wore out.
Yes, holiday memories are good. As I start to look north of 70 maybe, just maybe, I need to dial down those memories a bit and dial up the current activities! We will see. For some reason the FP went down smooth and fast--oh yes that Baileys will do it every time.
Wake up Carmen, it is time to hit the fitness center and practice that serve with the idea that it will become an asset and not a liability.
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