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Unlike so many times before, this wasn’tsomething I had purchased myself, thenwrapped, and placed under the tree with atiny gift card in my own handwriting that said,“To: Mary Ann, From: G’mama.” This was anactual surprise! When I turned to her, she juststood there, waiting, with a childlike twinkle inher own eye.I ripped the paper off of it like a six-yearold. And much to my astonishment, it was abig, white, fluffy, teddy bear with a red knit hatand scarf. What in the world? For the life ofme I couldn’t imagine what possessed her tobuy it. It was so completely uncharacteristic–not to mention, I was grown!But I didn’t care why. I loved it. Thatmoment captured and resurrected a magicthat had been missing on Christmas morningfor many years. I think it did the same for her,too. We both squealed out loud and continuedto giggle throughout the day.That bear served as a perfect reminder thatno matter where life takes you, or what life’scircumstances deal you, it’s important to keepthe child-like magic of Christmas near. To thisday, I still have it.✧ ✧ ✧So now, every mid-November, we pulldown an eight-foot artificial tree out of ourown attic–the very same tree that mygrandmother had in her home. The kitchentable wasn’t the only thing I inherited. Andwhile this one continues to show its age, andI’ve threatened to get a new one a dozentimes, I never do. I’m not sure I can.I’m keenly aware that the very things weare doing in our home, my son may somedaydo for his own children. I’ve tried to be verydeliberate in that regard. Intentional.Nearly all the ornaments on our treereference a specific time in our lives or avacation that we took together. And, as hasbecome tradition, we get a new blown-glassornament every year. We have dozens ofthem. There’s a football, a baseball, and abuffalo marking our trip to the Grand Canyon.We have Yoda as a nod to our Star Warsphase, Lilly and Lucy–our beloved dogs thathave gone before us, and Thomas the TankEngine. We have a blown-glass peanut tocelebrate our fall peanut boils and now, inaddition, I pull out all our stuffed animalfriends to mark yet another special seasonin life that has passed but is not forgotten–my own white teddy bear being one of them.These things are important, regardless of age,and provide comfort and special memoriesfor our family.Turns out, Christmas was never about“stuff.” It’s about memories–childhoodmemories that never fade. When all our kidsare grown and gone and making their ownmemories, they may not remember thespecific gifts they got–but they’ll rememberthe tree, and who was around it. And thesmells. And how they felt. And all the lovethat was shared–at Christmas. l82 • DECEMBER 2020
Junior Auxiliary of Rankin County’s mission is to meet the needs of the underserved children and families in our community to help insure that their futures are bright.rankinja.orgCOMMUNITY IMPACT• Partner with local Chambers of Commercefor outreach• Partner with The Mustard Seed• Monthly activities with children at MS StateHospital• Clothes Closet for those in need• Collect and distribute school supplies toRankin County students• Positive reinforcement to students at RCSDLearning Center• Pen pals program with girls at RichlandElementary• Mentor children at the Juvenile DetentionCenter• Supply “Brave Kids Bags” for Child ProtectiveServices• Wrap Christmas gifts for Hudspeth RegionalCenter residents• Weekend food program for Pearl Elementary• Narrate stories through the StoryTime lineHometown RANKIN • 83
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FLOWOOD • BRANDON • PELAHATCHIE
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AND AHappy New Year!“Today in the
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The wayWE wereStephanie & Noel Dani
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12 • DECEMBER 2020
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Register Now!hindscc.edu/readyIn co
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Stacey asked me out to dinner then
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SENIOR LIVINGat itsFinest !22 • D
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HandmadeChristmastreasuresStories b
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WedaleeMistie DesperGiving back to
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CarolMistie DespermcgaheyThe vibran
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