It’s that time of year when the chill in the frosty air brings us indoors to hunker down with thick comforters and mugs of steaming hot chocolate overflowing with fluffy marshmallows. When holiday music and movies become the soundtrack to our everyday home lives. When we gather ‘round the fire for company, drink, food and love. When we are celebrating and remembering those we treasure and hold near and dear. When the real meaning of the season is family – by our DNA or by our heart. When we reflect and give thanks for all we have. In a nutshell, unconditional love.
I’d like to welcome Margaret Maron to share the beauty of the season with us.
Favorite holiday tradition?
35 years ago, a childhood friend who's also a distant cousin started coming to our house sometime in the week before Christmas. She and her husband had three children, we had one son. We would sing carols, exchange gifts and then eat dinner. The four kids have all married and now have children of their own. One of the original four is even a grandmother now and the eight of us are now 22. We no longer bother with gifts, but we do sing or do "party pieces" (recite poems, act a skit, etc.) and we do still enjoy sitting down at a long table together. I always make a Yule log for dessert.
Favorite childhood toy?
Probably Betsy, my last baby doll. My mother was a good seamstress and she made doll dresses that matched mine. I loved that doll. One day, my older brother said, "I'll tell you a secret if you promise not to tell Mother." Of course I promised. He showed me what he had in his hand. A sort of small round ceramic box. Then he turned it over and I heard Betsy's pathetic, "Ma-ma!" I was appalled. And of course I went to our mother in tears. She sewed the crier back into Betsy's tummy and my brother got sent to bed without supper.
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