Saturday, January 1, 2011

The Outsider - Part 5 - Christmas

A recollection which was the most remembered ... Christmas. That was her late Father's “favourite” (sarcastic) time of year. He made sure he spoiled Christmas for everyone. Every year! He would cause an argument with her late Mother over the smallest thing. Sometimes he just disappeared and only came back a few days later. There were times that he got violent with her Mother. Her Mother however still made Christmas special for the girls even though their Father had ruined it. Oh how she loved Christmas time even though most memories of Christmas are'nt so great. Her Mother would start baking biscuits towards the end of November. She was so good at baking. The little girl used to sit and wait for her Mother to finish with the dough mixture and would get to lick out the bowl! The aroma of fresh baked biscuits permeated the air. A very vivid memory she has was of a time when her Mother took her outside in the late afternoon as the sun was setting. The sky was a blazing red/orange colour like an inferno and her Mother said to her that it was Father Christmas' oven. He and his helpers were baking Christmas cookies. She will never forget that!! They always celebrated on Christmas Eve. The Christmas tree would be decorated. Then they would have a special meal – either roast lamb, or Turkey or Gammon – all depending, with roast potatoes and vegetables and ofcourse desert. After dinner the children would suddenly have to run some or other errand and then when they returned their Mother would say that they had just missed Father Christmas. He had come to put the presents under the Christmas tree. Then they would run into the lounge to discover the presents under the Christmas tree. So time went by..... Christmas changed after her Mother passed away ....... By then the girl was a grown woman. She took over the baking of the biscuits for Christmas. The presents under the tree were no more..... the present became an envelope with money .... as appreciated as the money was .... it just killed the excitement of Christmas...... After her Father passed away she approached the sister's and suggested that the envelope be scrapped. The excitement was in opening a present and not knowing what was under the wrapping paper.... any gift would do ... it did not have to be extravagant .... it was more about finding a present under the Christmas tree and ripping the gift wrap off and then finding something that was chosen by the person who gave you the gift!! That was what was special!! These last two Christmas' were wonderful .... there were presents under the Christmas tree .... oh what happiness ... and the memories more special ....

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