A Shoebox Christmas
My 88-year-old Mama’s eyes take on that far-away look when she tells this story from her childhood Christmases in Georgia. Her words transport me to a time when love and simple joys meant everything, especially for a sharecropper’s daughter whose family knew the meaning of “making do.”
Every October, after the cotton harvest, each child got a new pair of shoes. No matter how much their growing feet protested, those shoes had to last a year. But it wasn’t the new shoes that filled their hearts with anticipation—it was the empty shoebox, carefully saved under the bed like a treasure chest of dreams waiting to be filled.
On Christmas Eve, magic would happen. Her mother would gather those precious shoeboxes and fill them with exotic delights: a single banana, an orange that seemed to hold sunshine within its peel, and an apple. Throughout the year, her mother had lovingly collected chocolate drops – those free candies from the market – saving each one for this special moment. My mama tells me how those simple treats felt like pure gold to a child who rarely tasted such sweetness.
Christmas morning would burst into life as cousins arrived, each clutching their own shoebox of treasures. The air would fill with delighted giggles as they traded their fruits like merchants with priceless goods. “I’ll trade you my banana for your pomegranate!” They savored every morsel, taking tiny bites of fruit each day, making the Christmas magic last as long as possible. One particularly memorable year, a sock monkey joined the fruit feast – a homemade toy crafted from worn socks that became one of her most cherished possessions.
As I listen to Mama share these precious memories, my heart swells with gratitude. In our world of abundance and instant gratification, her shoebox Christmas reminds me that true wealth lies in the love we share and the memories we create together. Hearing their stories, each moment I spend with my parents is a gift more valuable than any present money could buy.
Whatever form your “shoebox” takes this holiday season, I hope it is filled with the love of family, the warmth of friends, and the joy that makes every moment precious. After all, isn’t that what makes Christmas truly special?
Have a wonderful holiday, everyone. And remember, in hearts filled with gratitude and love, there is always a reason to celebrate!
The Gala Guru
www.thegalaguru.net
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