THE PRESENT

It was just perfumed talcum powder.

Three small, round, cylinder shaped containers, decorated with foiled candy cane stripes of red, green and blue. A gift given to me, on a long ago remembered Christmas morning at my paternal grandmother's house.

It's been at least 46 years ago and every Christmas I still think about this sweet little gift that was given to me by my Aunt Mildred. And yes, this Christmas, I summoned every ounce of creativity that I could muster and recreated these little vials of powder just as I remembered them and took the picture that is posted above.

I remember them fondly as being one of my most favorite Christmas presents of all time.

You may ask me why. I wish I knew. I've asked myself this question many times throughout the years. It wasn't expensive. My aunt perhaps got them at a local five and dime store or from Avon. Was Avon even around 46 years ago?

Christmas at my Granny's house in Mexia, Alabama was always a special event. To say that New Orleans , where we were growing up at the time, was a different world, would be a understatement of epic proportions.

Granny's house was a house of kindness, serenity and calm. I always felt safe there and especially at Christmas time. If I closed my eyes and went back in time, I would still smell the Christmas tree that always stood over in the left hand corner of her living room, in front of the window. I never knew it to be placed anywhere else. I would hear how the hardwood floors creaked when you walked across them and how the front screen door made a slapping sound when you came in and out.

Because Granny's house was a gathering place for all of my Dad's extended family members, on Christmas morning there would be just a ton of Christmas presents! What a delight to us kids! Most of the time it would be practical gifts like socks or tee shirts with a few small gifts of toys or talcum powder! We didn't get to go there every Christmas, but when we did go, it was a special treat!

It never ceased to amaze me that Granny always seem to have warm food in her oven. You could get to her house late at night and she would start pulling delicious food from her stove. To this day when I smell bacon frying I think of Granny. Eat speckled butter beans that turn grey in the pot, takes me right back to her dining room.

So, maybe it was never about the little gift of talcum powder after all, but the memories of which the gift represented. Those memories that forever left its impression in the heart and mind of a 10 year old child.

I'm reminded of the greatest gift that was ever given. That sweet little Jesus child, born in a manger. What a special gift His birth represented, the gift of eternal life!

Earlier this afternoon, I got a call from my sister. My sweet Aunt Mildred passed away in her sleep last night. She was 90 years old and loved Jesus. She'll be at home with Him this Christmas.

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I lovingly dedicate this post in her memory,

and the memory of that long ago Christmas present of talcum powder,

and the fond memories of which that gift represented.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

My Granny's house the way it looks today. Funny thing is, it doesn't look a whole lot different than it did 46 years ago! Behind the window, just left of the front door, yep, that is where you would find the Christmas tree!

IT WAS THE BEST & WORST OF CHRISTMASES

Christmas 1989 I shall never forget. It was my worst Christmas and yet it was my very best and most blessed Christmas I ever had. How can that be, you may ask...well I'll try to explain.

In March of 1988 I had been diagnosed with stage IIA Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer, this is a type of cancer of the lymph nodes. I received 3-4 months of daily radiation treatments and was then declared in full and complete remission.

By March of 1989, the cancer had reoccurred in my right chest wall. A full 12 month regimen of chemotherapy was initiated consisting of 8 different chemo drugs, some given daily and some every two weeks. My hair turned purple (from Adramycin) and then fell out. I became severely bloated and moon faced from the steroids they were giving me. My strength was totally gone and I had become anxious and depressed. The realization hit me, that it was quite possible, I might not ever get to spend another Christmas with my family again. I truly did not know if I would live to see another day, never mind another Christmas!

....And yet in spite of all the uncertainty of that Christmas, a deep realization of appreciation began to set in within my heart, for each and every single moment spent with my children, husband, & family. I just cherished the moments and enjoyed them all, so profoundly, knowing that next Christmas might not be the same. I began to truly identify with each any every person who were suffering as I were. I felt so blessed to be alive!!!

It's been 19 years since that Christmas of 1989, it seems to me as if it were just yesterday still. It amazes me everyday that I'm still here, and to say I'm thankful is a huge understatement.

I was blessed to have all my children and their families here tonight, all under one roof...MY roof... for the space of a few hours. Outside of the birth of our dear Lord & sweet Saviour Jesus, there is no better Christmas present for me! It seems our times of getting everyone together at one time, get fewer and far between as the years go by, so I'll continue to cherish the moments,...each and every moment, hour, day, month and year.

Take a deep breath... be thankful for life. Hug and hold those near and dear to you...if they are not here with you physically, then close your eyes and hug and hold them in your heart...tightly. Tell them you love them. Thank God for another Christmas and thank Him for sending that baby in a manager so long ago, our Lord and Saviour.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE, FROM MEMAW'S HOUSE TO YOURS!