INA AND THE GINGERBREAD PAGEANT -- DAY 18

 

“It’s a miracle, that’s what it is. Don’t you think so, too, Ivamae?” said Mrs. Boehm, raising her voice so that Ivamae (Grandma Findley) could hear. “It’s a miracle what Ina and Bertha accomplish. The costume for the Gingerbread Princess is beautiful, and just look at those six gingerbread boy costumes. However did they do it!” And there were knowing glances all around.

Six country housewives sat down at Ina’s dining room table. Each had her own sewing kit, but Ina put out extra needles and thread. Each had trims to share – rick-rack, lace, and bits of this and that – and these were placed in the middle of the table for all to use. Before they started, Ina read the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke.

Then they set to work, and as they worked they gossiped. One said that she had heard that Mr. Smith (Shirley Anne’s father) had found work in Seattle and that they would soon return for the little girl and their belongings. Ina affirmed that she knew this to be true, feeling an inexplicable pang of sadness which she pushed to the back of her mind.

At noon, the ladies paused to eat their sandwiches and enjoy Bertha’s cookies. At 2:00, Jack pulled into the yard with the sleigh and suggested he should take them home soon so as to have them all home before dark. In fact, the sky was already dark. It looked like it might snow again.

As the seamstresses bundled up to leave -- all of them talking at once -- they thanked Ina and Bertha for this lovely day. They agreed that the opportunity to gather and do something for the school was special. And each said she would be at the Gingerbread Pageant Friday afternoon.

Ina’s heart warmed as she surveyed the little gingerbread boy costumes, every one of them beautifully embellished. What fun! Tomorrow she would have Jack deliver them to the schoolhouse when he picked up the mail. KW