Carson Village, Birmingham, Alabama
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. ~ I Timothy 1:15-17
For as long as I can remember, I’ve baked Christmas cookies.
When I was growing up, it was a family affair with all the ladies – my maternal grandmother, Auntie (my mom’s sister), my mom, and the moment I was old enough, I was expected to participate.
Eventually, it became known as “Cookie Week”. I wish I had pictures to share with you, but they’re the old-fashioned kind. You know. The ones you dropped off or mailed somewhere and they provided you printed photographs of your fondest memories that were often off center, or someone’s head was missing, or the picture was out of focus? Yeah. Those. Well, mine are all in storage. Oh, I could ask my sons to take pictures of the ones in their scrapbooks and send them to me over the airways, but it’s December and they’ve got quite enough on their plates already. It wouldn’t be very kind of me to ask them to dig out their books to perform this act of love for their mother. So I won’t. And don’t you either! 😊
Cookie Week. What can I share with you? Many years ago, someone decided that we should all take an entire week in December and bake thousands of cookies (NOT an exaggeration) of all types, but none of the easy, typical ones like chocolate chip or Hershey Kiss ones. And we made about 40 different types. We did make sugar cookies, but they were very elaborately decorated with icing and/or colored sugars. (not usually my department). The decision was definitely not mine, I’d rather cook than bake any day.
So why did we do it? So we could give most of them away! Each of us would make lists of people we wanted to give them to – co-workers, friends, mailmen, paper boys, teachers, pastors, whomever. We’d each make a list, then decide if the person/place was to receive a small, medium or large plate. Or, in the case of my mom’s work, a gigantic deli tray full. And of course, each of our family’s homes received their own storage containers full!
It sounds incredible, and it was, but here’s the thing. There was plenty of help. We had two mixers going at once, someone would watch the oven, someone would wash the dishes, or cut and wrap the bar cookies, etc. We’d all just rotate and do whatever was necessary at the time. And when it came to preparing the cookies that required multiple steps before they could make it to the oven, we all pitched in on the assembly line – one form the balls and drop them in the colored sugar, one roll them in the sugar, one flatten them on the cookie sheet, etc. You get the picture. And usually, we were laughing (or chatting) all the way!
And in the evenings, the working stiffs showed up to help out as well – Blaine, our two sons and my brother Lance, and his girl (eventually wife) Kelli. But first, we all ate dinner together.
Chris 
Kyle 
Lance & Kelli
They’re putting the filling into the Cream Wafers Mom & I made a day or so before.
Of course, there was lots of prep work – sifting 10# bags of flour at a time, setting out multiple pounds of butter and cream cheese, organizing all the other ingredients, covering the table with newspapers and then rolls and rolls of wax paper by the time we were finished. Oh. And did I mention shopping? Yeah. There was a lot of that too. All year long in fact, so you could catch the BOGO sales!
And once we were done, it took at least half a Saturday to load up all the plates and wrap them pretty to take to the people on our respective lists.
We started out in Grandma Glass’s kitchen, and as the number of dozens grew, we took over her dining room table (it pulled out to seat 20-some people), and also her front porch for storing.
My sons were born, and as youngsters “helped”. One of their favorite ways to help was to taste the icing, and other treats when no one was looking! Then there was the year, Kyle was particularly helpful when he got into the green food coloring and decided to try eating it. He looked like the Grinch! Covered in green from head to toe! LOL!
And then one year, Auntie decided she no longer wanted to work with us, so she chose her favorite recipes and made those at her house and brought them over when they were finished. And then, not too many years later, Auntie was no longer with us, except in spirit.
And then, Grandma and Mom began joining me at my home. I suspect that was Blaine’s idea. He didn’t much care for, nor understand Cookie Week. Except the eating part. He was content with a few favorites and didn’t much care about the rest. 😊
What he didn’t understand, and what I didn’t really understand and took for granted until well into adulthood, was that it wasn’t just about the cookies and the gifts. It was about an entire week of fellowship with the women in our family.
And then, Grandma began aging and didn’t bake much, so we set her to work wrapping the bar cookies in plastic wrap (that would often stick to her fingers from the static LOL!), or filling containers, or whatever she could manage.
And then, one year, it was down to just Mom and I. The thing is, for some reason, as the other family members left us, the amount of cookies didn’t really drop too much. Not sure how that happened. . . .
And then, one year, I was called upon at work to cover for another co-worker for six weeks, and I didn’t have the time to take a week off. I can’t remember if Mom and I got together or not that year, but I know for a few years after, we did just a couple of days and made some of the family favorites and that’s all.
Isn’t she beautiful?!? Inside and out!
And then, I retired and drove away, leaving my mom behind in Ohio.
And today, I baked four kinds by myself and left one to do on another day. Oh, nothing elaborate, but they’re good – gingerbread men, two flavors of shortbread-peppermint and dark chocolate, and caramel cookie bars. Tomorrow I’ll take on sugar cookies, topped with plain, white, Betty Crocker cream cheese icing.
Blaine was busy working on our summer 2021 reservations, and then took off for a walk.
Blaine’s hike took him to Turkey Creek.
There really wasn’t much he could do to help anyway. The coach is too small for two people to bake in.
I looked to the heavens from whence cometh my help, because my help comes from the LORD ~ Psalm 121:1-2 (paraphrased)
But you know what He told me? You can manage just fine on your own. It’ll give you a newfound appreciation for your family. Just look at all the memories I’m bringing to your mind.
Oh, my! Father, thank You! Sooooo many blessed memories! As I write this with tears in my eyes. Happy memories, joy-filled memories, and sad memories of days gone by. And absent family. You have truly blessed me all my life! Such an influence these three women have had, and continue to have on me!
I miss you Mom! And Grandma and Auntie! Thank you for the marvelous memories!