Thinking back to years ago, I can recall how I would go shopping with my grandmother down town to find gifts for the family. She was very particular in what she chose for each of us, and even on a very limited income, she managed to buy something nice for each of her children and grandchildren.
My grandmother would have the biggest smile on her face on Christmas morning when we would show up at her house. She would go into her room and bring out this big bag or sack as she called it, full of gently wrapped presents of all shapes and sizes. Mama Estelle didn't believe in buying boxes to put items in, so she would wrap them as they were , no matter the size or shape or amount of paper it took to cover the gift. Strange shapes of oblong, triangular, and even flat to thin would be packed tightly into her sack.
Mama Estelle would look at each of us and say, " you must have been good this year because Sannie {not Santa} Claus left you something here too." Grinning and laughing with her signature chuckle, she would hand us a gift, watching happily as we each opened it.
Many times, the gifts would range from clothing to underwear or toys from the Five and Dime store that we spent hours shopping in together. But no matter the size of the gift, what it was, or how much it cost, we all would run and hug her tightly for the gift she gave to us!
Her gifts were special and sweet and chosen just for us. My oldest sister soon pick up the tradition and did her gift giving the same way: She , too, chose special not too expensive gifts that were picked out especially for each family member. We often reminded her of how she was like Mama Estelle, and she would smile thankfully.
Today my family celebrates Christmas without my grandmother and my sister. Holidays are not as magical and special as they were then, but we still remember those years with them both.
So every time I wrap or open a gift, I am reminded of the beauty of Christmas and God's greatest gift of all!
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