It
had been a wonderful Christmas Day. I’m sure you can imagine what fun the
family had as they opened gifts together in the morning.
The
gathering for an early afternoon dinner included Aunt Bertha and Uncle June and
their family and several neighbors who would otherwise be alone for Christmas.
Ina served a big mid-day dinner, such as farm wives know how to prepare, with
everyone sitting together at the big dining room table. Small gifts were
shared, and as the neighbors took their leave, the leftover food was parceled
out. |
| Ina & daughter Pearl, c. 1918 |
In
the evening, the men withdrew to sit before the fireplace in the living room
while the women drew chairs around the wood range in the kitchen. But before
long, Sadie began to cry, and the womenfolk nodded knowingly at one another, recognizing
a tired child. In the warmth of the kitchen, Ina helped Sadie get ready for bed.
Ethel fixed a hot water bottle and placed it in the middle of Sadie’s bed.
Of
course, Sadie wanted to take her new doll Lucy to bed with her, so she was
allowed the time to put the doll’s nightgown on her. Then she and Ina climbed
the stairs to her bed. Ina pushed the water bottle further toward the bottom of
the bed to warm Sadie’s feet. Then she wrapped herself in an afghan and
stretched out beside the little girl to help warm the bed.
Sadie
asked to hear a story, and so Ina began to recite the verses from Luke 2:1-20,
which she knew by heart. As she finished, Sadie’s breathing was deep and even,
and Ina carefully slipped off the pallet and tiptoed from the room. She looked
forward to rejoining the group in the kitchen.
“Gram?”
the little voice called before Ina reached the stairs.
Oh
dear. What now? “Yes,
Sadie?”
“Thank
you for making Lucy for me.”
“Why,
Santa brought Lucy to you. Mrs. Claus made her.”
“I
think you were Mrs. Claus,” said Sadie. “And anyway, I want to know that you
made her.”
Ina
was touched and admitted that yes, she had made the rag doll.
“Mama
said I couldn’t have a doll this Christmas, and I’m so glad you made Lucy.
Thank you.”
Ina
gave the little girl a goodnight kiss and slipped off downstairs, thinking it
had been a very satisfying Christmas indeed. People could do things like this – make
somethings out of nothings so that there is “no skimpy Christmas.” KW
7 comments:
Oh how I have enjoyed this series! Perfect Christmas reading. Thank you!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Chris. My goal was to suggest the Christmas celebrated by farmfolk in simpler times with less money and different values.
I have loved reading this story and it really brought to life what farm life could be like, hard work, yet rewarding. Thank you for such a riveting read! Love you!
Oh, and I loved seeing the pictures as well!
The story was great, and superbly written. Thank you for making our Christmas more meaningful.
Thanks so much, Kathy. You made us feel we were right there for that Christmas so long ago on the farm. We have enjoyed reading the story of Sadie's Christmas Doll together throughout this past month. It was a fun activity for us to do together, and we appreciate the research, hard work, and insight you put into writing it. We wish you a very happy New Year, and thanks again for this special treat.
I so appreciate knowing that my little story added to your Christmas. Thanks for taking the time to say so. The basic idea evolved through the years of reading Ina's letters (and those of other family members), but the story didn't unfold until I had a gimmick -- making the rag doll.
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