Granny's Christmas

When Granny was young they followed the German tradition of putting the tree in a separate room. They weren't allowed to see it until Christmas Eve. She said they could smell the fresh pine and the fruit when they passed by the closed door. I doubt they had it up for as many days as we do! Then they would all come in and there would be lighted candles on the tree (yikes!). Under the tree would be gifts of fresh fruit and nuts. They were so excited! One year she received a doll, the only Christmas present she ever received. They actually celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve and not on Christmas Day. I never asked her what they did on Christmas.

My Granny also always kept her Christmas tree in a separate more "formal" room (though by American standards it wasn't formal at all, just not used very much). She kept fresh fruit, nuts, and chocolate covered cherries under the tree. Usually she gave us money for Christmas or a package of fresh sausage. Either was fine with me and much enjoyed. We always tried to celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve for her sake.

She had 11 brothers and sisters. Many were much older than her as she was the youngest. In fact by the time I was born, all had passed away except one. He was the only uncle I ever knew and just as kind as my Granny. My Granny's birthday was right before Christmas. She weighed 1 1/2 pounds, slept in a shoe box, and wore doll clothes. My mother still has the shoes to this day. They are not much larger than a penny. She always felt unloved because she knew she had been a burden to her mother as a baby and was really unwanted. The nurse told her mother that she better be glad she had another one because she would take care of her when she was older. Then my Granny would let out her German sigh and cry, "Yah." As she sobbed she would tell of how she was the last one and always took care of "Momma". Everyone else was grown, married, and moved away. Granny and my Popo took care of her and lived with her on her very large farm in Peters. Later they sold the farm and moved to the city. Granny nursed her mother in her elder years through many sleepless nights of asthma. Her mother only wanted her to take care of her, and Granny's presence always brought her peace. My Granny was always appreciative of the many nights her mother nursed her as a baby, and she loved her very much. She never seemed resentful of having to take care of her.