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This is the part two
of the story, Purple Memories.
My Christmas gift to you.
Purple Memories
Part Two
By Mary Vee
Traditions in Grandma’s house, whether seemingly
good or silly, became the substance for everything from the menu to the order
of events to required apparel. Despite current trends in clothing, all the
ladies wore dresses and all the gents wore suits, no matter their age,
including babies.
In keeping with their custom, Christmas
decorations, several fish dishes, deviled eggs, potato salad, and much
more filled the dining room table. Ruby red candles served as the centerpiece.
Buffet style replaced a sit down meal after the
family grew too big to sit together at the table.
As the last dishes landed on the few open
spaces, Grandpa called everyone to gather near the food. He put his arm around
Grandma and while some of the moms hushed their little ones, and he said a
prayer of thanks for the food.
"Amen," the blossomed family of
thirty-two echoed.
Uncle Luke lunged forward, grabbed the first plate,
and snatched a handful of deviled eggs. A trail of grandkids followed the
favorite uncle around the table, scooping only the foods they liked onto their
plate. Like the Pied Piper he led the crew into the living room where they
sat in a circle on the floor.
The perfect vantage point to stand in line was near
the end. It not only provided a space between Leah and uncles hankering to pull
practical jokes, but also a great view of the fun. Grandma and Grandpa insisted
on standing at the end, too. They obviously knew the advantages as well.
Using a sidestepping slow dance behind the others,
Leah made her way around the table, skipping the pickled herring and other fish
dishes. The year after Grandma heard she didn’t like fish, a few of her
favorite foods appeared on the table. Such a thoughtful woman.
Leah held her plate close dodging the little
grandkids who raced back to the dining room for cookies, stepping over the feet
of giggling older girls sitting on the stairs, and ducking under a flying
balloon. She sat in the last open chair, nestled safely to the side and next to
Grandma’s favorite place. This may not have been the wisest choice.
All the little ones knew they could escape tickling
uncles by running to Grandma to be safe.
Luke unfolded his long legs and stood, holding off
the young ones pawing at his legs. “Hold on, I need more fuel. Mashed potato
monster!” The kids ran to hiding places freeing him to carry his plate to the
dining room. “Hey, where’s the taters, Precious?” He picked up the empty bowl
and walked toward the kitchen.
One by one the grandchildren popped from their
hiding places. “Grandma, when can we open the presents?”
“We have to wait for Uncle Brian and his family to
get here. They should be here soon.”
The children huddled together and whispered. “Let’s
get Uncle Luke!”
Mere seconds after they ran toward the kitchen a
loud thud followed by a groan came from the kitchen and the kids fled. Luke
stumbled into the living room, mashed potatoes clinging to his suit, hair, and
hands. “Sorry, Mom.”
“Sure you are.” Grandma winked to the others. “All
right, get changed.”
“Who wants to explore the attic with me after I
change my clothes?” Luke turned to his pint-sized audience.
“I do!” No trampoline could have power their jumps
as well.
He turned to Leah. “Would you take them up there
and keep them busy for a few minutes?”
Although she knew how to find the attic, she’d
never gone beyond the door. “Sure. I can do that.”
………The third layer of this six part story will be unwrapped next Monday.
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