Lania's Kodiak

I miss those Christmases past when Mom would savor See’s mint patties and Dad bought nuts in the shell to crack. I think I learned to enjoy eating them just because the folks loved them so much. Just thinking about that sweet peppermint brings the scent alive and makes my mouth water. I can see Mom taking a bite out of one. I can even hear the nuts being cracked over the wooden bowl and see Dad pick the meat out of the shell. I miss how great those simple things were to us then. There would be one gift under the tree for each of us from each of us. The one we really wanted came from Santa. If we couldn’t sit on his lap and ask him for it, we would write him a letter telling him we were good, not considering if it wasn’t always true. And sure enough, that gift would be under the tree.

The tree was always fresh cut and set up the day after it sat in sugar water, I think it was. I would watch as Dad so carefully and securely hung the lights. I remember to tap my own bubble lights if they don’t bubble right away, just as he did. I still have one string of those old lights; I wonder how many are original? And then Mom and we kids would hang the ornaments just so. Those childhood memories live on, along with the Christmases of early adulthood when gifted with a desperately needed Christmas check signed by Dad, and later by Mom, as Dad’s eyesight dimmed.

When I became a mother, Mom would always make something for each of us. I admire her creativity, energy and thoughtfulness. We all treasure them now, knowing the hours spent on each piece. I framed the cards cross-stitched with love and signed by them both, with a simple "Love, Mom, Oma and Dad, Gramps."

BJ and Lalania have now begun their own traditions. On their trees I recognize Oma’s ornaments, which I have carefully held onto and passed down to them. More are being held in safekeeping to be received when my Father calls me home.

Every year Tony and I decorate our beloved Oma Christmas tree. Tears well in my eyes as Tony painstakingly places the lights on the tree. We both take care at putting Mom’s ornaments and a few others on the tree in just the right spots. I make a ham and all the other fixings and friends and family join us in celebration of life and the birth of our Lord. Life may change the path we walk, but it is with memories that we are able to hang on to those traditions of Christmases past.