How the Cookie Crumbles

Life and scribbles on the far side of SIXTY-FIVE

Mother Christmas

by 9 Comments


At our house, she was Mother Christmas. Even at 82, mom insisted on doing everything: the cooking, decorating and setting up for 20 people. She still got her own tree, decorated it and put up the outside lights—on a ladder. Each year she outdid herself cooking and baking. Everything was made from scratch. The dinner table groaned in complaint. We tried to help. No thanks. Last year she left us just before her 83rd Christmas. This year we’ll do everything without her. Without her strength, love or helpful hands. Adults and children alike adrift without our anchor.

Author: Let's CUT the Crap!

I'm getting a little LONG in the tooth and have things to say about---ouch---AGEing. I believe it's certainly a state of mind but sometimes it's nice to hear that you're NORMAL. I enjoy reading by the truckload. I'm a grandma but I don't feel OLD although I'm not so young anymore. My plan is to stick it out as long as I can on this lovely planet and only will leave it kicking and screaming!

9 thoughts on “Mother Christmas”

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  1. notquiteold
    December 5, 2011 at 8:58 pm

    I am with you. I lost my father last Christmas. Everything we’ve done since, we’ve done for the first time without him. Even when we are happy, it’s not the same.

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  2. Marylin Warner
    December 5, 2011 at 11:51 pm

    My mom is still with us, but at 93 and with severe dementia, she watches us decorate a tree in her room. Even though she’s with us, we’ve made the same transition you’ve made, and it’s quite a change since she also used to be the “busy Christmas mom.”
    Thanks for sending this.
    It’s now entered in the “Christmas With Mom Memories” contest.
    Marylin

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    • Let's CUT the Crap!
      December 6, 2011 at 12:19 am

      How the time flies and how things change. Enjoy every minute left with your mom. I hope this Christmas will be good to you all.

      Thank you for entering my ‘Mother Christmas’ piece in the Christmas for Mom Memories contest.

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  3. earthstonestation
    December 6, 2011 at 12:02 am

    Mother was similar during the holidays and we lost her just this October. I realized that now I would have to be one of the adults in the family. I’m grateful she was such a great teacher. Carry on the lessons.

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  4. earthstonestation
    December 7, 2011 at 3:47 am

    Tess I came back to read this again
    and to tell you it s a lovely tribute. Universal.

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  5. viviankirkfield
    December 8, 2011 at 8:31 pm

    Thank you for sharing your Christmas Memory with Mom…and now, without Mom. She sounds like she was an inspiration to your whole family…and a beautiful role model. We are fortunate when we have had moms who led the way/

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    • Let's CUT the Crap!
      December 8, 2011 at 9:49 pm

      It’s almost a year and I’m still shell shocked. I wonder why we are so sure that MOM will always be there. Like one reader put it (his mom just passed away in October), we have to be the grownup now.Thank you for commenting.

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