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The Big Table
By Linda H. Barnette
When I was growing up, it was customary for my parents and me to go to the grandparents’ homes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mother’s Day, and other celebrations and special occasions. Mother had 6 siblings, so there would generally be a crowd at the Smith house on any given holiday.
Mama Smith had a large dining room table where all of the men used to sit and eat their meal while the women worked in the kitchen keeping the food warm, serving second helpings, and pouring coffee. Mother and my aunts all brought various dishes so that my grandmother did not have to do all of the work. After the men finished dining, they headed to the living room, front porch, or outside to smoke while the ladies had their meal at the dining table.
My cousins and I ate at card tables on the back porch, and our conversations always turned to the subject of when or if we would ever get promoted to the big table. It was a noble goal.
As it all turned out, we never graduated to it. We grew up, moved way, got married, and had our own families. People in the family died, things changed, and we did not gather as we once did.
Yet in my memory I see Papa, Slick, Smit, Kermit, Quentin, Norman, Jim, and Charlie laughing and talking as they enjoyed a big meal and just being together. I wonder if they are talking in Heaven now. Hope so.
My point here, other than nostalgia, is to enjoy and cherish your families and friends; be thankful for all of life’s gifts; and treasure your time with loved ones, for things change, and these events become just a part of our precious memories, moments in time from long ago.
Santa
By: E. Bishop
Father Christmas, Santa Clause, Kris Kringle, St. Nick or the Man in Red – whatever you want to call him – is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture; his family tree goes way back. Back to the 4th century, in fact, when St. Nicholas was a monk in what is now Turkey. St. Nick’s generosity, kindness and secretive gift-giving helped the sick and poor immensely. This gave rise to legends of miracles he performed for the poor. St. Nicholas was canonized as the Patron Saint of children and sailors in 1446. The notion of helping the poor became more widespread during the European Renaissance and continued on. Things have changed and evolved through the many years since then but the main focus, I believe, has always been on helping others less fortunate and spending time with family celebrating the reason for the season of Christmas.
Did you know there is a dark story about Santa (and about a French butcher)? That sounds like a story for Halloween instead. Don’t go there. How many of you delight in looking at old photos of your children sitting on Santa’s lap – mostly scared to death or crying? Funny, yes? Have you read the poem, at least once, written by Clement Clarke Moore, written in 1832, ’Twas the Night Before Christmas’ that teaches us the importance of imagination, wonder, kindness, and respect. It remains popular even today, as it should, just like family gatherings for the holidays.
In the past, my family had a huge gathering each Christmas Eve. Having seven grown children, and those having children, well, you can imagine what a crowd that could be for my parents. Then in later years, those grandchildren were bringing their children. The get together had to be moved to a party barn. Every year, secretly the search was on “who will be Santa this year?”
Some were willing, some not so willing but we always had one. Usually too skinny, or too tall, no beard – had to be stuffed with pillows with fake beard. A few years, we did rope the real deal-looking Santa – Chris was perfect with real but powdered beard to match dressed in his Renassaince festival outfit (no child knew who he was!); another time Mr. & Mrs. Clause (the Millers) entertained everyone (Is Mrs. Clause my PE teacher, someone asks?). The last few years were great with niece MaryAnn as the elf and her husband, Kevin, as Santa going all out wearing perfect outfits for the occasion.
Presents were wrapped with each child’s name. No child was left out (even if they were in their 20’s). Sometimes that was a real challenge for the elves for sure! You know, I don’t remember any of them asking if Santa was for real. Maybe ‘who is it?” There is no such thing as being too old to believe in Santa. After all, it is the kindness and generosity that loved ones show one another that is the real deal.
Those wonderful years of large gatherings and a Santa visit have passed for this family. Secret Santa, abundance of food and a smaller gathering will have to suffice. The torch has been passed on to each individual household now and may it shine bright with the wonder of the season for each.