I am always amazed at the ‘things’ I remember from my
childhood – the non-tangibles that are just a captured moment - a touch, advise
from wonderful grandparents, the breeze that blew through the north room on
Goliad, a soft word or harsh words, and of course there are the tangible things
– so many tangible things flash through my mind on occasion and I catch myself
remembering them with a slight smile on my lips.
Since early fall my Mama has been telling me about her trip
to Canton Trade Days where she saw a Fire King Tulip Bowl for sale. She stopped to ask the vendor the cost,
of course it was too much, so she proceeded on her path through the market
aisles. At the end of her day the
Tulip Bowl was still forefront in her mind so she returned to purchase it. As she spent the day in the aisles and
aisles of antique dishes and furniture she had convinced herself that the
vendor’s price on the coveted Tulip Bowl was really worth it and she must have
it. As she arrived at the original
path (her first vendor) the bowl was not on the table – it had been sold.
Now you have to understand about Tulip Bowls – during my
childhood they were used (around Rockwall and nearby towns) at many evening
meals and had they held prominent places on our supper table. The large bowl held various foods but
in my memory it seems it held mashed potatoes more often than not, the smaller
bowls had other vegetables (corn, pea salad, turnip greens, and so on -- you get the idea).
In November I began to plan my Christmas gifts. I told my
family we were having a ‘BLING’ Christmas and what that means to each is a
story in itself. My part of BLING
was going to be ‘designer’ gifts for my husband and children and grandchildren. My Mama’s gift was the only one I knew
for sure I would search for – a perfect condition ‘vintage’ Fire King TULIP
BOWL. After an internet search for the gift I hit a buy on eBay and
that brings us to this - making my Mama cry on Christmas Eve Eve!
We gathered at Mama’s house this year on December 23 for
dinner and gift exchange. I placed
the package carefully at the edge of Mama’s pile of gifts (my daughter, Laura,
and I anxiously waited for her to pick up the silver wrapped box). She opened and halfway into the removal
of packing she started to cry – my daughter said, “Gran, are you crying”? Mama nodded. We were all a little surprised. Mama said “ I just wanted one of these for so long but they
either cost to much or whatever (her favorite term).
You know it is hard to find the perfect gift especially for
someone who gives you so much throughout each year – and every once in a while
you get lucky and find it.
I’m happy this Christmas Eve – I made my Mama cry!
