... barn stories: the twelve days of christmas

When I was eight my two great grandmothers came and shared Christmas with us. My mom was pregnant with my little brother, so it was a moment filled with past and future. One evening, my great grandmothers took care of us, and the stories flowed.  Great grandma Florence grew up in England, one of seventeen children and a shop keepers daughter.  Her story was of the twelve days of Christmas, starting Christmas Eve with the first lighting of the tree for only a minute because it was lit by candles. She received just one gift each night, an apple the gift of fall, a small doll made from the wishbone of a chicken, a paper hat, and other wonderful simple things. When she had finished her story she made us all paper hats from newspaper. I still can see the hat, and I have the doll, but it is the stories that bring so many feelings and wonderful memories all these years later. Celebrate this holiday season with storytelling.  Wishing you great holiday adventures that create stories for years to come!