Christmas time in Covena

Boy, those days getting off the school bus and racing to the Post Office to see if the Sears Christmas catalog was there. This was the only time Momma could get us to voluntarily go to the Post Office. The catalog was filled with all of the stuff of our limited dreams. Toys of all kinds, all the things we had seen during the Trooper Terry Hour or Saturday morning cartoons! There was candy in there, of the types that Miss Agnes just did not carry! Did we ever really order any of that pretty ribbon candy?

Remember the window displays at Stewart’s? Where did they get all that neat stuff?

What about the days of loading up in an old Army Jeep and going out all bundled up to look for the perfect Christmas tree. This seemed to be the only time we could go out in the cold without the warning of that deadly pneumonia being provided. We always had to carry a .22 rifle to shoot down mistletoe. Then we had to go up into the ceiling to get down all the lights and ornaments.

There were a few years we had the infamous silver (aluminum) Christmas tree. It was just like the ones at those pretty houses we would see as we came into Swainsboro. What ‘Scrooge’ developed those hideous things anyway? Another one of those ’60’s’ icons that went away, thankfully.

Grandmother never wanted to put up a Christmas tree, yet it always seemed to be so easy talking her into letting us put it up – always on top of the sewing machine. She always used those large, antiquated bulbs to light the window frame. Wonder why she never replaced those old things? Do you suppose she believed in Christmas tradition – nah, not ‘Mer’!

Can you believe there was a time we were naive enough to believe it might snow at Christmas – in South Georgia! Mother always seemed to be able to develop that as a possibility for us.

Did we ever have a Christmas at Covena without the baking of a fruit cake? Remember how pretty all that colored, candied fruit was as it was being added to the batter? Why do cherries seem redder at Christmas?

‘);

Man, did the search for hidden ‘Santa Claus’ ever end! There is a story told of two little elves finding and playing with an electric car set. This set supposedly included ‘66’ Dodge Charger and Ford Mustang (Fastback). Sorry Charles!! I wonder if it was put back such that Santa Claus never knew.

Remember the stories of Christmas past – like the time the whole box of fireworks were set off at once down at the old place! There might have been some Egg Nog involves! Probably a Covena special blend – vintage 1956.

Does anyone have any fireworks this year? Maybe we should go to South Carolina – that would be fun! (Do you think we will ever make this elusive trip)

Remember the wrapping of gifts and loading the car for the trip to Granny’s; albeit, a short one it was loaded with anticipation. There was not another time like Christmas Eve at Covena! After all, Aunt Gail was going to be home from Atlanta. What time is she coming in? Is she coming on the train or the bus? Did someone go to Atlanta to pick her up, or is Jim bringing her in? Do any of you remember getting a present you loved as much as Ole’ Bull loved his bone? Can you ever forget those eyes filled with sadness until he got his very own present?

Speaking of Bull, will we ever forget the bubble blowing bull Grandmother gave Daddy for Christmas? (Charles thought I was going to tell a story about him when I started this paragraph on the subject of ‘Bull’).

I wonder if Daddy will be bringing fireworks from North Carolina this time when he comes in on the truck? Who remembers the Christmas he bought all the Christmas Songs albums – Loretta Lynn, ‘Good Ole’ Country Christmas’ for instance! Christmas always seemed to change even his spirit.

There was another trip to Miss Agnes’ that did not have to be forced – looking for Aunt ‘Cil’s’ Christmas shipment. Momma can we go head and open Aunt ‘Cil’s’ presents? They are not from Santa Claus, so the Christmas Eve opening presents rule did not apply! It is amazing how these small gifts always brought amazing joy. It is interesting to think about how she always gave great gifts. Maybe it was because they were probably given – from the heart. I am sure they did not fit into her limited budger, but she managed.

I hope this brings to the surface some of your best Christmas memories. May this Christmas, we put aside the cynicism of adulthood and replace it with hope. The kind of hope we had in these years past – with the innocence of a child. Who knows, we may be getting snow this Christmas – after all those look like snowy clouds!