My time of the year to reflect....and everything that I think of to write is going to sound so sappy...I do mean it with all my heart... so here it goes!
Looking back there are things that I never thought I would miss at the time. Boy if we only knew then what we know now. I miss Grandma and Grandpa McCoy`s on Christmas eve! Those wonderful cookies she would bake...the smell of her house...and that little Christmas tree in the corner of the dining room with presents ``on`` the tree!
Grandpa sneaking his rye and Grandma pretending that she didn`t know! Until he started to sing that one song....then all you would hear was Grandma yelling ``Russell`` and he would stop and just smile.
Grandpa McCoy`s birthday was Christmas Eve, so we always spent that evening at their house! Everyone would come, Kathy, Robbie, Tim, Uncle Bob...Auntie Ethel was there and going way back was Aunt Molly...plus a bunch of other people that I can`t remember their names. So much food and fun!!
Christmas morning, Ken and I waiting for 7am to come...we had been up since 6 with our stockings, but we had to wait until 7 to open presents from under the tree. I had the coffee ready and the minute that clock struck 7am Ken was running down the hall to wake Mom and Dad up! Of course Dad had to take his time which only made the waiting agonizing. He thoroughly enjoyed watching both of us squirm, waiting to get under that tree!
Then going to Grandma Talbot's. Where most of the family would show up...all of us cramped into her little apartment.
From the time that I was 16 to the last Christmas at her apartment the first thing I did was go to the fridge to see if ``it`` was there and ``it`` always was!
You see Grandma Talbot had an age limit, you were cut off presents at 16 and went into the grab bag. Well, on my 15th Christmas I knew that I was going to get that special gift, because it was my last Christmas to get a gift, the last one was always a good one. When all the presents were handed out to all of the kids...I didn`t have one. Mom quietly ask my Grandma where my present was and she said `` she doesn`t get one this year...she is in the grab bag`` Mom had remind her that I was only 15 this was my last Christmas for a present.
My Grandma didn`t remember! I was so hurt!
Grandma called me into the kitchen and apologized, she was very very sorry that she had forgotten. I was disappointed but I said it was OK....she then asked me what she could do for me right then. The only thing that came to mind was a ham sandwich with just mustard, because Grandma always made them with mayo and I didn`t like mayo!
From that Christmas on there was always a ham sandwich with only mustard in the fridge for me!
I miss my grandparents! I miss that time with both my Dad`s family and my Mom`s family, we did have so much fun! I just hope that our grandchildren remember us with fond memories like the ones I am sharing with everyone.
Enjoy your time with you family!
