Seems like yesterday, when I was a young girl growing up on our old family hand me down farm in Saskatchewan during the 1940s. Although my legs are weak from growing old, my mind is still with me. Most times.
I look around me during the rush of the Christmas and wonder to myself what all the fuss is about. Gone are the days when we used to hand make our gifts. Neighbours were few and far between and we sure didn't have the extra money like folks do today. No sir. We'd bring cookies, cakes or fresh farm eggs. If we really liked them, we'd bring them a laying hen.
Most things were hand made. Knitting, crocheting, coloring our paper and often times, if we didn't make anything, well we'd have to go dig in our bureaus to find something to give. Why I remember one Christmas my older sister Violet giving me a pair of mended socks! Mama used to say, "It's the thought that counts."
Our Christmas tree was off our farm. That was our father's job with my older, complaining brother in tow. They always came back smiling. Funny thing.
Most of our ornaments were given from my Grandma and Papa. Hand-me-downs. The real pretty ones that were delicate making them seem expensive. We always found room for the popcorn string and paper ornaments we made just for the holidays.
Today, when I talk to my grandchildren and tell them this, they just smile and say, "Oh Grandma.....that was a long time ago."
I smile and say, "seems like yesterday."
Maybelle Cotton
Quesnel
