Certain smells such as peppermint, oranges and evergreen trees cause memories to flood over me this time of year.
Sometimes it causes great laughter at the thoughts or deeds of an excited child and sometimes tears to mourn the loss of the people i shared the joys of Christmas with that are no longer with me.
One of the best memories I have is that of my grandmother and laying in her lap listening to her sing as she rocked to and fro in her rocker.
With every movement, there was a small squeak. I would cuddle close and hear her heart beat. She always smelled of Chantily powder and vanilla.
We spent every Christmas this way until I was too big to sit in her lap. So it became our time to sit and talk as I grew older.
On her last Christmas here: I was sitting at her feet and sharing with her what was going on at work and in my life, when she said to me, “You have to let me go.”
I was a little confused, but she continued, “I miss your grandfather and I am so tired. You must release me so that I can go home.”
Then she went to bed. I stayed up and thought about what she was saying to me. It was my love for her and wanting her to always be with me that was keeping her spirit earth bound in a shell that was well worn from living an unselfish life.
Now it was my turn to be unselfish. So in prayer on Christmas Eve, I thanked God for giving me my Granny and allowing her to be so important in my life. And through tears I spoke the words: “God, I release my Granny to Your hands.”
Three days later, my most wonderful grandmother was with her husband and her constant Companion, Jesus.
So every year i remember her and our talks. I remember the feeling of love and give thanks to God that now it is my turn to sit in the rocking chair and hold one of my grandchildren trying to make them feel as loved as I did.
