Grandma Ruby's Christmas Party

Eduardo’s Mommy Here: Sorry about hi jacking Eduardo’s blog I just wanted to share a Christmas story with y’all & a little history about myself. To start off I will say the post may be long so get comfy. At about 7 years old, I went to stay with my brother & his wife, at that time not for good, just until my mother got back on her feet, and then off & on again until I was 12 years old when I did move in with them for good. There was nothing wrong with my Mother, please do not think that. I just felt that I would have a better life, financially, living with my brother & his wife. My brother divorced his wife in 2006, but I choose to stay & live with her, which was fine with him. It sounds odd, yes, his sister living with his ex-wife, but they had 3 children together & he felt like I could help watch them there, so it was ok.

Now to my Christmas story. I always felt a close connection to this family, (I still do) they took me in, & took care of me even though I was not blood related. There was one day I always looked forward to & it was Grandma Ruby’s Christmas Party. It you were lucky Grandma Ruby would make you a gift, it was something very special. Some times a child got an afghan, or all of the young children got matching gifts, like handmade dream catchers. The adults may get coasters or socks, whatever Grandma Ruby felt like that year. The first year I seen everyone getting their presents I was so excited, but Grandma Ruby didn’t know me yet so I didn’t get anything but a hug. I loved the homemade items. The next year I was the lucky kid to get the afghan, I remember hearing people say, “Welcome to the family!” I was so happy, I still have the afghan. As the years rolled by I did not receive anymore handmade gifts. My heart always hurt when I watched everyone open their gift bags & pulled out their gift, I knew they didn’t appreciated like I did. I always got a card with a ten dollar Wal-Mart gift card. I finally asked why I didn’t receive anything, I didn’t want to sound selfish but I felt like I was family too & I had the right to know. When I asked (I asked Grandma Ruby’s daughter, who I was very close to), I could feel the tears rush up to my eyes, I was so ashamed of myself. How could I demand a gift from her? Why wasn’t I grateful for the money? I remember she told me that Grandma Ruby didn’t think I would want some silly handmade gift, and that the other kids had been asking for money instead. I told Grandma Ruby’s daughter that I loved the handmade gifts & I wanted them more than the money. That year I got a beautiful rainbow that hung from my window, it had such colors on it! It hung on my window for so long that the sun dried up the yarn & I had no other choice but to throw it away. After that year Grandma Ruby wasn’t able to make gifts for the family. However, the year I was diagnosed with epilepsy (it was a horrible year for my family,) she made me a lovely afghan in earthy tones that I love, but I have it put up, (with my first afghan,) out of Eduardo’s reach. Grandma Ruby is now is her late 80’s & this year I wasn’t expecting a gift. I went to the party with Ray & we seen everyone, ate & just as we were about to leave Grandma Ruby told us she had a gift for me under the tree. I didn’t expect anything, because she has had a pretty rough year. We didn’t open the gift bag in front of her we gave kisses & left. I reach my hand in the bag as we got in the car, & felt something soft. I pulled it out & it was a reindeer! You may say,”What’s so great about a reindeer?” Well I’ll tell you, Grandma Ruby doesn’t give just anybody reindeer, you have to be married. Of course the reindeer comes with a sleigh & a buddy reindeer. I did cry because it was something very special to me. She also gave us a bag of her ornaments it means so much to me that she would pass these to me. I feel blessed to have been a part of their family, even though not by blood. They will always be my family & she will always be my Grandma Ruby. Merry Christmas Everyone! Happy Holidays!