Monday, December 28, 2009

A Final Nod to the Ghost of Christmas Past

Standing in the grocery store checkout line just before Christmas, I couldn't stop my hand reaching out and grabbing a can of cashews to place into my cart.



Dad wasn't much of a shopper. In fact, he may have been the only person on the planet who is worse at it than I am. But for many Christmases in the eighties and nineties, he made sure that there was a can of cashews under the tree for me. I'm not sure when it started and stopped as dementia may have prevented him from continuing the tradition in his last few years. Perhaps Mom covered for him then; I simply don't remember.

His last Christmas with us, and I use the word, with, very loosely, was eleven years ago, and if I was ever gifted with the traditional tin of cashews since, I certainly don't remember: not after Mom's last Christmas seven years ago, for sure.

I had really forgotten all about it, but this year, my memory was triggered whilst standing in the checkout line, and I reached for both the can and the memory. It's just a small thing, a very small thing, but it warms me somehow.

Note: This should be my final Christmas Memory post for this year, which I think is the rather remarkable fourth post about my reveries. Thinking about the past is, undoubtedly, a sign of my own aging, although I hope it's a long while before I really consider myself old. I also hope that more memories will surface next year. Actually, I already have one in mind; I was going to post it this year but didn't get around to it, and it's past time to move on.

PS: After playing on the word, hooking, in the last post, think of what I could have done with this one. But I resisted. Aren't you proud of me?

14 comments:

Barry said...

I hope you had a merry Christmas Anvil and enjoyed your cashews! They are a faviourite with me at Christmas as well (along with liquorish, an odd combination).

MARY G said...

I can't stand to think about the title thing.
I really like the Christmas memory idea - maybe next year you should do twelve? I might be persuaded to rewrite the song for you - while doing something else, of course.

Donna said...

(Wiping tears here!!!)LOL...OhMyWord...It's a box of chocolate covered cherries TO my Dad every year...He's been gone since 02 but the "pull" to keep buying them is Still strong...so I do.
Sweet post....hughugs

Anonymous said...

AC,
Thanks for sharing 'the Ghost of Christmas Past'... It's amazing at times how something small can trigger a whole bunch of memories. I can remember sharing with my kids telling them whatever it is we're doing with each other...we're makin' memories. Have a great day today AC! The Bach

Ruth said...

I think we have a kilo of cashews here right now. Remarkable self control in refusing to play with that word!

Heather Plett said...

I LOVE cashews! I'd happily share them with you. :-)

Bernie said...

Still chuckling over your non choice of words.....I love a Christmas memory, some are even a bit painful but I much prefer to remember the love than forget the memory....love cashews (got some in my stocking).....:-) Hugs

Anonymous said...

Everyone does the past Christmas thing. I have done it for years, even the years before I got old. So, don't worry that is the beauty of love held tenderly in our hearts. Have a great New Year.
QMM

Miss Moneypenny said...

:-) touching!

Diana said...

You best be careful AC or your blog may turn X rated! It's kind of strange, my husbands aunt used to give him cashews every year at Christmas. He shared with me! She's gone now. Maybe now we should purchase cashews at Christmas for someone we love.
Love Di

Anonymous said...

A/C tell me what you mean by I crashed Firefox. Maybe I can fix it.
QMM

Lorna said...

I feel the same way about pomegranates. We always had a couple in the house and could only eat them at a time when they could be properly shared with the rest of the family. Seeing them still recalls a joyful anticipation that was actually met by the mysterious and exotic taste of a pomegranate.

Garnetrose said...

I like the idea of a christmas memory thing. I may do that next year. Oranges does it for me. Especially our cranberry orange relish. We always had it along with a crate of naval oranges to eat each year. I know how the little things like that can bring back wonderful memories.

Cathy said...

AC.

I haven't been here in a very long time.

This is the first post I've read.

I shouldn't be surprised to find myself moved and resisting the memories that you allow to sift into your now .

I've remarked this Christmas that it's not surprising that Dickens wrote about hauntings occurring during this holiday.

It carries so much freight.