register |  login
› BROOMFIELD
Loading Ad
Visit Other Hubs:
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Tower
Blog
Blog Entry 8 of 8 My Few Sense Worth
Being a believer that everyone who has lived for any length of time has collected myriad bits of knowledge, wisdom and good miscellaneous information, and also being a firm believer in sharing, I wish to contribute, from my own unique perspective, my "few sense worth" about the following: Ponderings and ruminations about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Garnered tips and advice from years of working with and being involved in children's lives. Reflections and commentary on family, relationships and the goings on in the world around us. A potpourri of how to, how come? and why not?

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~Myfewsenseworth

Gingerbread memories ...
Contributed by: Carol Gioia   on 12/13/2007

Anytime I hear the phrase "gingerbread house," I am transported to another place and time, and the sweetest of memories.

Christmas in Connecticut, 1966; I am a young mother of four and in the midst of the hectic activity surrounding the impossible dream of creating a perfect holiday. The budget is sparse, the daily workload overwhelming, and I am torn between obsessive love and dedication to my family, and thoughts of running away from home. I lament to my mother, via long distance, that I will never get it all done.

My mother, who lives in Arizona, hops a greyhound bus and arrives in Connecticut days before Christmas. She proudly announces that she is going to make a gingerbread house for her grandchildren. Seemingly oblivious to my desire for order and perfection, she sets up "shop" on the kitchen table. It is obvious to any witness, she has spent an obscene amount of money on candy, cookies, cellophane and frosting. How big is this house going to be, I wonder, as I try to confine her clutter to one end of the table.

My children are enchanted with their whimsical grandmother's ambitious and delicious endeavor. She creates, they eat, and soon we have to shop for more supplies. I am free to go about my moody business, for my children are preoccupied with the "house" and never leave my mother's side. Eventually, we have a two story masterpiece, an exact replica of the one featured in Good Housekeeping that year.

The gingerbread house was big, but the memories created were far bigger, and longer lasting. When we gather on Christmas each year, invariably one of the favorite stories from the past is, "The year Memere made our gingerbread house."

I have a whole different set of memories of that long ago Christmas when I learned, through my mother's example, that sometimes we have to "seize the day" and "cherish the moment."


SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above blog



Current Rating
Based on 6 user ratings.

Talk Back : submit comments to the blog

*Note: you need to log-in to add a comment or rating.

Showing 1-6 of 6 comments
Submitted By: Gladys Mercier
posted on 12/27/2007 @ 8:59:47 PM
Rated Blog Entry
That is a nice story Carol. Your mother must be special.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Michael Rule
posted on 12/24/2007 @ 6:12:43 AM
Rated Blog Entry
Go Memere!
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Katherine Jerome
posted on 12/22/2007 @ 12:23:32 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Merry Christmas to you and your family Carol!
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Katherine Jerome
posted on 12/16/2007 @ 10:38:45 AM
Rated Blog Entry
Mother's have a way with the sometimes needed "reality checks". What a wonderful Grandmother to have shared this time and experience with your children Carol. Wonderful story!
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Nikki Britain
posted on 12/15/2007 @ 8:06:53 PM
Rated Blog Entry
With the mess around my house I must be building memories on a daily basis! This is a wonderful reminder!
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Karin Malchow
posted on 12/13/2007 @ 11:32:27 AM
Rated Blog Entry
The most memorable life experiences are usually the unexpected (and messy!) ones.
[Report as objectionable]
Showing 1-6 of 6 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Carol Gioia

Broomfield , CO

Carol Gioia has posted 8 blog entries and 10 comments since joining on 5/12/2006. Carol Gioia 's average blog rating is 5.
BLOG ENTRY RSS FEEDS
SAVE AND SHARE THIS ITEM

BLOG LIST
WANT TO WRITE FOR YOURHUB.COM?
Want to see the stories you write and the photos you shoot featured in the YourHub.com Thursday print section available all over the Front Range and with home subscriptions of the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post? All you have to do is  register,  then post a story or column, start a blog or tell everyonewhat events are happening in town. We will print the best stories, columns, event listings, photos and blog entries in our print sections.

ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

Loading Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

This YourHub.com community is produced by The Denver Newspaper Agency
Web Development and Channel Analytics provided by Indigio

terms of use //  privacy policy
the staff //  advertise //  help & faq
buy photos