Seventeen Year Old Reindeer

Christmas 1991. J was in the second grade at Rison Elementary School. The second grade, and most other grades for that matter, were bussed over to the Cleveland County Pioneer Village for an old fashioned Christmas. There was singing, and party foods, and each class was allowed to walk sedately through the "Merchantile" to purchase small handcrafted items if they chose. That year, J came home with a gift for his Mama. It was a beautiful wooden reindeer necklace. I kept it and wear it at least once every Christmas. Usually to work so I can share the story with anyone interested enough to ask.



It is one of my favorite memories of Christmas. I so miss my children being young and excited about Christmas. But life moves along and changes, and it's now at the point where you have to struggle to find a time when everyone can be together at the same time. It's still worth it to me. And I still get more joy than I can express, watching them open their gifts. No, they don't squeal with delight and excitement any longer, but I can still tell by their eyes and their smiles if I hit the mark with a particular gift. Christmas has become very commercial, but it still gives me a warm glow to give gifts. It's not a burden to me, eventhough money is tight and it's a job to decide what to give each person. Maybe it's because I'll always be their Mama. Maybe it's because I will always be one of those who love pleasing others. Maybe it's because the Lord gives me a special glow in my heart. I don't know, but I hope I NEVER get over it.