Enough to Miss Christmas

"No," I answered. "They're a gift . . . from your daughter."

A broad smile crossed her face. "That's so kind. My daughter Suzie does the nicest things for me." I felt punched in the gut but didn't speak. "You can stay if you like," she said before turning back to Karen. I gulped a little air and remained in place, a compliant book lady.

"Tell me all about your new family, Karen dear. Is Sarah being nice to you?"

Karen glanced at me before turning back to my mother. "We're getting to know one another other, Grandma."

"It's early yet. Sarah can't know much about raising children. She and that man she married never had any. Mothering is talent learned on the job, don't you think?"

"She said you were a very good mother and your family did a lot of fun things together while she and her sister were growing up." I felt like a spectator in a private performance. This is your life, Sarah Jeanne Blanding. Sorry you couldn't show up.

A far away looked passed over my mother's countenance. "I'm pleased Sarah remembered. I thought she might have forgotten the good times. It's been so many years. But she's correct. We had a delightful time when the girls were growing up. It couldn't have been nicer. I seem to recall your mother died. Did you have good times to remember with her before she passed on?"

Karen bit her lip but I'll give her credit for answering honestly. "No, unfortunately we didn't." My mother looked up, perplexed, as Karen explained. "She was sick a very long time. I don't remember any good times."

"You poor girl! You deserve to have sweet memories to carry you when bad times come to call. Do you go to church?"

"Yes, Ma'am. We go every Sunday."

"That's good. We did too. Keep it up and always remember those close to you as well. It doesn't matter if you're poor or well off, family is everything."

"Sarah said Christmas around your house was extra special."

"Oh my, yes! It was a wonderful season every year. The girls would craft items and save what little money they could earn, going back to the summer, to buy presents for everyone they knew! They couldn't wait for the catalogs to arrive and they'd dream about perfect gifts. And Christmas carols; they knew the words to all of them. We'd cook and cook until there was more than we could eat."

"That sounds marvelous, Grandma."

"It was, child. It was a family time. There's no closer tie than family, especially a mother and her child."

Karen looked away and bit her lip. I thought she might cry but instead she asked about me.