The Storyteller | Mary Vee

Photo Courtesy This is the part six of the story,  Purple Memories .   My Christmas gift to you. Purple Memories Part Six (click if you missed parts  one,   two ,  three , or  four ,  five ) By Mary Vee The Christmas bustle had settled with opened gifts sprinkled around the family room. In keeping with tradition, Grandpa and Grandma watched their large family unwrap the presents and prepared to dole out hugs and smiles. Leah stayed in the room after the grandkids dragged their new toys to other parts of the house. She and one of the uncles scooped pieces of wrapping paper and shoved them in a large trash bag. Grandpa handed Grandma a gift from their stack. She accepted the small box and gracefully removed the paper. She opened the box lined with blue velvet and squealed. “You shouldn’t have. This cost too much.” “Of course I should.” He took the necklace, opened the clasp, and fastened it around her neck the...

This is the part five of the story,  Purple Memories .   My Christmas gift to you. Purple Memories Part Five (click if you missed parts one, two , three , or four ) By Mary Vee Grandpa sat on the floor by the Christmas tree. As if on cue, the first notes of the carol,  O Christmas Tree, sounded from his stereo in the next room.  He waved for the children to come help him pass out the gifts.  A ll the boys and girls ten-years-old and younger, including the new toddler, flocked toward Grandpa. He read the name on the tag of each package and handed the gift to the next child standing closest to him. Some of the little ones forgot which uncle was which, but they all remembered silly Uncle Luke. Leah curled her legs on the chair and watched the beehive of children bustle about the room. This tradition had played to an expanding group every year since she first met her sweet Jerry. No one opened a gift until the youngest fami...

Photo Courtesy This is the part four of the story,  Purple Memories .   My Christmas gift to you. Purple Memories Part Four (scroll down for parts one, two, and three) By Mary Vee Leah left the jacket in the attic to prevent an awkward situation and followed the children down the stairs.  Uncle Alan and his family finally arrived. He scooped each child from the stairs, twirled her around once and set her on the floor then grabbed the next. "What took you so long, huh, Uncle Alan?" the girls whined. A whimsical smile poke through his serious gaze. "I had to eat all of the cookies before we came." "No! You couldn't have!" "You ate all the Christmas cookies?" "You didn't bring any?" The cacophony of protests brought Grandma to the scene. Her voice and presence commanded quiet. "Children. You know Aunt Cindy would never let him touch the cookies before we opened the presents. As a mat...

Photo Courtesy This is the part three of the story,  Purple Memories .   My Christmas gift to you. Purple Memories Part Three (scroll to last week for parts one and two) By Mary Vee Leah led the five giggly nieces and nephews up to the attic. In all the years she'd visited this beautiful large home, she'd only heard about the memories stored behind the door. The special objects and their meanings had not been forgotten, only in need of a place. She couldn't tell who was more excited, the kids or her.  "Who's ready for me to open the door?" Five hands sprang into the air. "Me," they squealed. Leah wrapped her hand around the knob and turned it. The door screeched as she hoped--the true sign of an attic with hidden treasure. Little hands grab her pant legs while older ones looped their arms into hers. She reached inside and flipped on the lights.  "Ooooo. Look, Aunt Leah." Their eyes widened. ...

Photo Courtesy 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 ...

Photo Courtesy Since I am a writer, and wanted to give you a Christmas gift, I thought the best present would be a new story--written special for you.  This story will be posted in sections on the remaining Mondays and Wednesdays during the advent season and end on Christmas.  My Christmas wish for you is a special blessing from God, one that surpass what you'd think to ask from Him.                                                                                    Blessings to you and yours,                                                                           ...