Christmas - A Time to Reminisce 12/25/2004 7:01:50 AM
A little bit of nostalgia to remind us all that it's the thought that counts.
In 1950, the little bit of Christmas shopping we did took place at Emmit and Lessie's Store in Bowen Creek, West Virginia, for our trips into the big city of Huntington were rare. My brother Philip and I had our eyes fixed on a matching necklace and earrings for Mother. Each piece resembled a flower with an emerald-colored setting, and the petals surrounding each were gold-colored filigree. We were convinced there was none prettier. Still, there was a problem. We couldn't come up with $2.98 to seal the deal. In our hearts we knew they would make Mother's Christmas her happiest ever. What was the solution then? We presented the situation to Mother, telling her we needed money to buy something special. Sensing the urgency of the situation, she commenced digging in her purse, somehow coming up with the needed finances. After handing it over to us--mostly in pennies--we dashed to the store, arriving only seconds before Lessie closed. And it was the day before Christmas--a close call. When Mother opened her gift the next day, she was ecstatic, and her eyes sparkled. In our young hearts, we knew it was her favorite gift that year.
