Candy Cane Christmas Delight

Christmas at Grandma's, with her shiny silver tree.

Christmas just wasn’t Christmas

After all was said and done

Until we went to Grandma’s house

And joined in the family fun

 

It seemed Grandma was never a young woman

For I was the forth child of her youngest

And to say she had just a few kids would be

Like saying; Santa had just a small list

 

So when we all gathered at her little place

To see Grandma on Christmas day

We were wall to wall kids, with moms and dads

And there was barely room to play

 

But the one thing I always looked forward to

Seeing when first we got there

Was Grandma’s sparkling silver Christmas Tree

And the decorations we all got to share

 

For on her tree was just one decoration

That all the Grandkids wanted to get

A special gift was waiting for each

With our name printed carefully on it

 

Every year Grandma was careful

To count and remember each name

Then carefully wrap a new “One Dollar” bill

Around a sweet candy cane

 

Then the candy canes were labeled

With the name of each grandchild she had

And it never did matter to her at all

If we had been good or bad

 

So when we got to Grandma’s house

The first thing we would do on that night

Is run to the sparkling silver tree to find

Our own “Candy Cane Christmas delight”.

 

{footnote} 

My mother was the youngest of 13,

and Grandma had over 40 Grandchildren

and hundreds of great, and great great grandchildren.

Author's Note

Grandma had a silver tree that rotated, and a spinning color wheel light that shined on it, so we had to watch real close for our name as the tree turned and grab our candy cane when we found it. Better than any video game ever.

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Trace. I love your old fashioned Christmas poem.
It brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of my
Grandma who has been an Angel in Heaven for quite a while.
My son and his wife and my grands live close to you, and I hope
the spirit of Christmas reaches out to your family and mine
where you abide. Amen, love to you and yours. truly, Pat

[Trace]

Thank you so very much my dear friend, I am so glad you enjoyed my poem,
I wonder if they still have silver Christmas trees with light wheels?

Have a wonderful Christmas.

Trace

[Lydia Shutter]

Wonderful memories and great reminiscing, my friend. There is nothing like family memories of the holidays to make life special. The simple things your Grandma did will never be forgotten. Lovely. Lydi**

[TL Boehm]

Such a wonderful poem. Did you ever get the opportunity to share this with her?

[Trace]

Grandma passed when I was much younger.
My first born was the last grandchild she saw and he is now 37.
Thank you for your wonderful comments.

Trace

[Rita L. Sev]

Trace, I'm sorry it took so long to get to this one, but your poem certainly brought Christmas back for one more shining moment. These simple joys are the real gifts of Christmas! Thank you for sharing this memory!

[Trace]

I have been so busy with other ventures lately it seems I have little time left to do what I want.read moreI have been so busy with other ventures lately it seems I have little time left to do what I want.
Thank you so very much for your wonderful comments and compliments on this piece.

Trace

[Roland Petrov]

Your story is as sweet as a candy cane! Back then, a dollar was probably able to buy something, right?

[Trace]

Back in the 60s. Yep
Thanks for reading and commenting on my poetry.
your compliments are so appreciated.

Trace.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your Grandmother and my Aunt must have shopped at the same store! Honest to God, I have the very same image of this tall, silver tree, rotating before a color wheel sitting just inches from it on the floor! How cool is that, that we share such a memory?

Simply delightful, Trace!

[Trace]

My grandma passed almost 35 years ago. (Hard to believe now that I think about it)
I often wonder what happened to that shiny Christmas tree and color wheel.
Thank you for sharing And your wonderful comments on my Christmas story.

Huggs. Trace

[gabrielle]

Your piece reminded me of our Christmas tradition. My grandmother started throwing a Christmas lunch for our relatives and neighbors as a way of sharing the family's blessings. according to her observing Christmas Tradition is one way of strengthening the family's bond. My grandmother has passed away but the tradition lives on. Thank you for sharing this nostalgic piece.

[Trace]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful story
And for taking the time to read and leave such wonderful comments and compliments on my poem.

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

Trace