One
who has visited the old Dobson Homestead at Gilbert remarked to me that it
seems like an enchanted place. It certainly is for me, but I didn’t know others
could sense it. I call it enchanted because the voice of the past speaks there.
Many
years ago I saw a made-for-tv Christmas movie in which a distraught woman
dreams that she returns to visit her deceased mother during holiday
preparations at the old family home. I only saw the movie once (showings seem
to be rare), but the premise – spending time in the company of a loved one who
has departed this life -- made a lasting impression on me. Through the miracle
of online research I was able to identify the movie as The Gift of Love: A
Christmas Story (1983). The same research also revealed that the movie was
based on the novella, The Silent Stars Go By, by Bess Streeter Aldrich
(1881-1954), a worthy author included in my “women in pioneering” study.
Well,
in my imagination, I like to slip back into Grandma Ina’s house, especially at holiday
time. Like the departed one in the movie, Ina’s presence is remote. We don’t really
communicate because, after all, Ina is a figment of my imagination. Based on
what I know of her, I just love picturing the simple Christmas that brought her
so much joy in the dark days of winter, and I think I enjoy this flight of
fancy because I was never a part of it. I have no memory of it, so it isn’t
personal.
This
exploration of the past which I share here has become an important part of my
holiday celebration. This year I’m celebrating “Christmas with Ina 1936.” I’ll
quote family letters and also explore a December 1936 issue of Good
Housekeeping magazine. Though based in the same year, these two sources are certainly
not the same presentation of the holidays. For a while I struggled with that, but
then I decided a contrast of Ina’s simple celebration on the farm with a more
cosmopolitan celebration of the same era might be interesting. I can’t really
say how this story will unfold since I mostly write as I go. You will
undoubtedly see again quotes that have become familiar on this blog, and we’ll
also share real-time experiences. I only wish I could give you a cup of tea and
a Christmas cookie. KW
[The postcard is from Vance's collection. The picture is of the family's Christmas tree lit with candles in 1921. Any lighting of the tree was always with candles, and we still have the candle holders.]
5 comments:
I'm looking forward to this new series!
Where are these candle holders? Have I ever seen them?
I stopped in the Salvation Army after work today. You wouldn't believe all the Christmas stuff! Never buy a cookie tin new. They had trees, ornaments, dishes, you name it! I suspect they get some things new from retail stores that don't sell merchandise on clearance.
Hi Hallie! The candle holders are in the attic. I'll get them out this year so you can see them. We'll never see new ones since burning candle on trees is frowned upon. Perhaps we can take a picture of one for the blog.
What were you looking for at the Salvation Army? It never hurts to shop thrift stores for odd items that don't need to be new. Sometimes I use an item and donate it back.
I bought a Pyrex baking pan. I made baked ziti for my coworker and am going to give her the pan if she wants it because she's still acquiring things for her kitchen. Even if she doesn't want it, I figured it would cook the ziti better than those disposable tin things you can buy. It's actually really nice--the handles come out farther than the traditional model.
What a great idea to share both the food and the pan! Last year I bought holiday plates at Goodwill and was going to use them to give goodies to friends. The plates were less expensive than retail plastic-ware. Alas, it didn't happen, so I just donated the plates back to Goodwill.
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