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| Julian and Ina Dobson await the snow -- a rare showing of humor |
Still thinking about her Thanksgiving Day telephone conversation with daughter Ethel, Ina pulled gingerbread from the oven for their morning break.
“Mama,” said Ethel over the phone, “Sadie wants a doll for Christmas.”
“We could make a new dress for her rag doll,” countered Ina.
“The
rag doll has seen better days, and she wants a baby doll,’” said Ethel.
Now, Ina had a heart of gold, but she was also strict. She believed that a child should be taught his circumstances from the beginning. She was temporarily at a loss for words.
“Mama?
Mama, are you there? I know how you feel, Mama, but she has her heart set on a
baby doll. Ernest says it’s a frivolous purchase we can’t afford right now with
the future so uncertain . . .” Ethel’s voice trailed off.
Ina didn’t say so, but for once she agreed with Ernest.
“. . . but Mama, it’s Christmas,” Ethel quietly wailed, “and I hate so to disappoint Sadie. Think about it, Mama. You and Aunt Bertha used to work a little Christmas magic when we were little. Couldn’t you manage it?” asked Ethel, barely above a whisper.
The 3-minute egg timer was about to run out, so they said hasty good-byes without reaching a conclusion about the doll.
Hmmph! Just when Ina thought she had Christmas under control, this young one wanted something out of reach. KW
6 comments:
I think your last line has happened to every mom and grandma at least once over the years. We love them so much and Christmas seems to be the time when we truly want to grant every wish, no matter how impossible. And sometimes we even do!
Such a great observation, Chris! Thank you!
Was the note about the gingerbread there when you first posted and I missed it?
Was the note about the gingerbread there when you first posted and I missed it?
No, it wasn't. I decided to post a few recipes this year, and you know how the linear mind works -- I just couldn't not post that recipe on that post since I baked the gingerbread that night. Very good gingerbread!
I haven't made it in years. And years!! But I do remember that it was indeed tasty.
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