My grandmother, who we call Nonnie, always loved Christmas. Her love of the holiday was infused into the rest of us from childhood. I remember vividly that my brother, my cousins and I waited for Christmas morning to begin behind a sheet that was put up over the entrance to the living room to conceal all of the fantastic things in store for us. We would awake well before dawn, eagerly anticipating the removal of the sheet.
The memory of my grandmother’s house at Christmas is one of my most treasured. It was a time of intense family connection and an experience of the true meaning of love. It also was a time that I looked forward to spending with Nonnie and Papaw, who are like parents to me. Through their example, I believe they are responsible, in large part, for who I turned out to be.
The memories are especially dear this year as we lost Nonnie this past Sunday, December 17, 2006, after a long battle with cancer. We will have a funeral for her on Friday, so I won’t be posting until after Christmas.
I wish all of my readers a very warm and happy holiday season. If you have a moment, please leave your favorite holiday memory in the comments.
