Christmas morning at my grandparents was for years a big scramble - amazingly fun, fabulously chaotic, and it took all day to open those gifts! All Day!
As the eldest of Generation 3 - I remember how as each new baby joined the family; the pile of gifts would grow exponentially. Pad and I used to pass out the packages every year - and of course, the smallest, most oblivious one got the most! During the late 1970's and early 1980's there were several new babies born to the family. The family was on quite the roll as we welcomed Erica, and the following year Morgan. Before them, there was a 5 years gap between Pad and myself, and another 5 years between Pad and Erica. We thought that with two babies in 2 years, things were picking up!
As per usual, we took turns opening gifts, making each one last forever! Reading the card
aloud, passing it along to everyone, trying to guess what it might be from the hints, carefully saving the ribbon, and the paper! That took as much time as anything - talking about who bought the paper originally, what it was wrapped in last year, how pretty it was, blah, blah, blah. I don't want you to think I don't love the blah, blah, blah, I cherish it! However, it's getting in the way of my tale.
Finally, Grandma opened a little gift from my aunt Bea. I don't think we even drew names in those days, because there weren't so many people to be included on Santa's list. If I count them, I only get to 14 people, including Erica and Morgan - who were mere babes at the time of this story. By quick count, we now have 24 people in the family, give or take a girl/boyfriend here or there.
As per the usual ritual, Grandma was seriously looking at her gift, a "Brag Book," or small wallet- size photo album. So that a proud grandparent could whip out her grandchildren's photos anywhere, showing them off at the beauty parlor, grocery store, post office, etc. Grandma would never be so bold as to impose upon anyone by showing them photos unasked. I like to think that there are people who would be honored to look at whatever Mrs. Gray showed them, knowing her to be a smart, interesting person, but I cannot imagine her "bragging" about any of us.
The book was empty, and Bea had written a little ditty, spread out over several pages. Grandma was reading them, turning to the last one, said "Burma Shave!" She had the same look on her face that she did when she was trying to solve a crossword puzzle - but hadn't quite put all the clues together. I remember Bea asking her something - and then she knew - it wasn't about the Burma-Shave, it was about the rest of the information. Bea was at the time 2 months pregnant with the strapping young man we now know and love - Michael Montana, the first of the Churchward3.
This happy news broke up the flow of present opening for a few minutes as kisses and wishes were exchanged. The general hum of the room became more animated, and I remember both Bea and Grandma looking as if they were the happy cat who had swallowed the canary. Though it has been many years, I also remember the excitement as we all realized that the family would include one more member at Christmas the next year!
So again I say to you all "Burma-Shave"
Have you guessed yet?
How I do wish I could announce it to you all at once during a big party. Instead, I ask you to remember the fun and love of our shared past and look to the next time we all meet when Terry and I will be introducing our baby to you.
We had our first sonogram last week, and could really see the head - sometimes very clearly. Except when the heart would beat, then the whole thing would contract. Then I thought I was having a Mexican Jumping Bean. This image only looks like a frog - really, it's a baby. When we could see it on the monitor I started shaking, thinking I would burst into tears or laugh hysterically - or maybe both at the same time. It really is a little person growing in there. The doctor commented on the size of its head - (great!) and said he thinks we were at about 11 weeks.
The due date is April 16th, not that I think I will really give birth on that day - but it is my aunt Jane’s birthday, and I would love it to be the baby’s as well.
Much love and I will send along more details when I have them!
Alizabeth
Does anyone have an idea on how to tell Duke?
Info on Burma-Shave
http://www.fiftiesweb.com/burma.htm
