December '73

My Sweetheart drove me to the big city yesterday for somewhat of a medical appointment. As we drove into the city I noticed the beautiful Christmas decorations on the light posts. It was snowing. And my mind recalled another time, 35 years ago, when as a young 9 year old girl wearing a very fashionable maxi coat that had been bought at the Salvation Army in the same big city, I was riding in the car with My Mom and Dad and brothers on my way to my Aunt's for Christmas; my aunt who was the twin sister of 'Uncle Hairy Monkey.' It was snowing that day.  The Christmas decorations, although different, were also hanging on the street lights.

I was excited to be going to Aunt Louise's.  Excited to see cousins whom I rarely saw. Excited to be with aunts and uncles that I hardly knew. Excited because Grandma was going to be there. We were going to celebrate Christmas with My Mom's side of the family. We had always celebrated this special day with my Dad's sisters and their families up to this point. And every year since, while growing up, Christmas was always with Dad's side.  So this Christmas was going to be very special.

I remember Grandma sitting on the couch. I remember thinking she seemed awfully old. She was 68 after all, and I was only 9.

My cousin  Bev was at Auntie Louise's that year. Cousin Bev and I are the same age, and being the only girls that age at Auntie Louise's, we played together.  I remember receiving a Dawn Doll for Christmas that year from Cousin  Bev. It was a great time!

I don't remember too much about Christmas day, other than playing with my new Dawn Doll from Cousin Bev, and sitting beside Grandma on the couch.  I remember thinking that Grandma Maggie Kalis must be very tired because she was still in her housecoat.  I remember sitting beside her and having her hold my hand for a few minutes while we talked.  I don't remember what we talked about, but I remember her holding my hand.

We probably headed home the day after Christmas. We had a long drive ahead of us and probably left right after breakfast so we could be home early afternoon.

2 days after we arrived back home I remember seeing My Mom cry after talking on the phone.  I had only seen My Mom cry once before and that was when my cousin Tammy, my cousin on my Dad's side of the family, had been hit by a car and was in a coma. It was very rare to see My Mom cry and I knew something bad must have happened.

My Grandma, Maggie Kalis, the special lady wearing the housecoat, holding my hand while having a conversation on the couch on Christmas day, had died.

I am so glad we had went to the big city that year for Christmas. I am glad to have had the opportunity to hold my Grandma's hand 3 days before she died.  Looking back, I know that was even a better gift than my Dawn Doll.