INA AND THE GINGERBREAD PAGEANT -- DAY 17

Blessed Sunday was here again. Today it was Ina’s turn to present the lesson at Sunday school, and she read the Old Testament prophecies of the birth of the Christ child. Thoughtful discussion ensued. Most participants were deep students of the Bible and found the lesson an inspiring reminder of the season.

 

Directly after the meeting, during fellowship, Bertha and Ina extended the invitation to Ina’s house the next day (Monday) to finish the costumes for the Gingerbread Pageant at the school. Mrs. Boehm and “Grandma” Findley said they could come for sure. Jack volunteered to provide transportation to and from. Details were discussed. Each seamstress knew to bring her own sewing kit, but the Dobson sisters also requested left-over trimmings if such were available to share.

After the mid-day dinner, Ina settled down to consult her lists. Tomorrow she would mail most of her cards except those to close family. She would write long letters to include in those. Tuesday she would have Jack carry all packages to the mailbox. Yes, that would work well. She and Bertha had already planned the food for the Christmas Eve gathering. Everything was well-organized and on time, including the costume work for the pageant.

Just then her reverie was interrupted by the ringing of the phone – and it was their ring. Once again the operator announced a long distance call for anyone from Mrs. Smith. Ina motioned to Shirley Anne who stood on a chair to reach the phone and speak with her mother. Daddy had found a job at a sawmill in Seattle, Mrs. Smith explained, and they would come fetch her as soon as they found a place to live. The call was brief.

The little girl’s face registered mixed emotions, but Ina hastened to reassure her. She would naturally want to be with her parents, but until they returned, she had lots to do. The pageant would take place on Friday, and on Saturday, she could go with Uncle Jack to find the Christmas tree.

In the evening, Shirley Anne practiced her part for the pageant with Ina’s coaching, but Ina noted that she knew her lines well through practice at school. Then the three of them listened to a radio program before bedtime. KW