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By: Jim Fitzpatrick |
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Email: jim@nunica.com |
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Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer. |
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Along Brandy Creek By Jim Fitzpatrick
The Coopersville Observer December 24, 2007- - No. 89 |
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Christmas day was always spent at Grandma Minnie's house over by the river. Her dining room table was long and wide and on that day would be overflowing with holiday specialties. The grand kids and their families would show up early in the afternoon in anticipation of stuffing themselves with the best of Grandma's cooking. The Christmas tree, with all of its presents, would have its traditional spot there in the living room by the front window facing the road. The cuckoo clock, hanging on the opposite wall, tic-tocked off the minutes and hours way to quickly on that favorite day of everyone's. The old clock was a present from her two daughters on one of those many Christmases past. The meal went on for hours it seemed. Grandma had her special spot at the head of the table and made sure that no one wanted for anything that wasn't within reach. You knew that she was tired from all the work she had done. Her hands were swollen and her back was bent; but, her smile was genuine with words sincere as she spoke of her younger days growing up there on the farm. When the wrapping paper was torn from those gifts in by the tree, she would sit back in her big stuffed chair and say little; as she watched with pleasure her family that had come for the day.
Long after sundown the family's cars would pull out of her snow covered drive. Presents were stashed in the trunks, kids snuggled into blankets in seatbeltless back seats. The muffled sounds of the automobile passing over wintry country roads soon lulled those grandchildren fast asleep. Grandma was left alone, just here and her dog, to spend Christmas night |
