Middlefield Post Christmas Section
Dec. 5, 2012
The Christmas of Unlocked Memories
By Ellie Behman
The tables were covered with memorabilia from the past. Sunlight caught the old crystal and sparks of dancing light caressed the dust laden treasures. The auction was about to begin and the family of Emily Baldwin sat in the front row, sadness filling their eyes as they realized their childhood, locked deep with the various articles, would soon be scattered around the country. Emily lived a long life and stayed in the same house that her parents had built. Try as they could, her daughters were unable to convince her to move in with one of them so a round-the-clock nurse was hired when she could no longer take care of herself. Emily’s wish was to remain in that house till the end and now that dream had come to pass. As the quick talking auctioneer glibly described item after item, memories shot through Amanda’s mind like an arrow, sharp and clear. She was the baby of the family and still held onto the memories that had special meaning for her. “What’ll ya give for this one of a kind crystal vase? Do I hear $10... 10... 10? Do I hear $9... 9... ? Going once, going twice. Sold for $9. Just like that, thought Amanda as she squirmed uncomfortably in her seat listening to the auctioneer. Her mom’s prized possessions would soon belong to strangers. She felt the tears stinging her eyes and wasn’t able to hold them back. Her sisters, Kate and Marilyn, had told her many times to ask their mom for some of the things she was most fond of but she couldn’t bring herself to do that. Her mother
became bedridden towards the end and it just didn’t feel right to Amanda to ask at such a time even though she knew her sweet mother would have given her anything she wanted. Watching the remaining pieces of her parents lives being sold on this bright sunny morning was painful for Amanda. She knew the money from the sale of the property and contents was to cover the mounting debts from recent years and there had been little or no choice, but that didn’t make the day any easier to take. As the auctioneer flitted from one thing to another, his voice a drone like a thousand bees in the back of her mind, Amanda drifted back to when her mom had received a beautiful crystal vase from her dad on their anniversary. She could picture Emily in the kitchen, preparing one of her famous family dinners and her dad coming up behind her with a smile turning up the corners of his mouth. “Good grief Jacob, don’t sneak up on a woman like that, especially a woman with a carving knife in her hand.” She whirled around, trying to act annoyed, but obviously pleased at the brightly wrapped package in dad’s hand. “Emily,” he announced in that strong proud voice of his. “Happy anniversary to the most beautiful girl in the world.” He bowed in an exaggerated fashion and handed her the gift. Tears glistened in Emily’s eyes as she lifted the delicate crystal vase from its box. “Oh Jake, something for my wildflowers. How thoughtful.” She gave him a little kiss on the cheek and dad smiled broadly
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as if he had just handed her the world. They whirled around the kitchen floor like two love starved teenagers until Emily playfully pushed him away in mock protest, warning him that dancing would not get the dinner completed. Emily and Jacob had no problem showing their love for one another, no matter who was around. Emily also let Amanda know that someday she and her sisters would have some of these things to remind them of how much love was in that old farm house. Until now, Amanda had forgotten the crystal vase and the occasion for which it was given. Now it was too late. Emily and Jacob had tried hard to keep their financial problems hidden from their daughters, but after Jacob died years earlier the truth came out. Their dad had re-mortgaged the old farm house when Emily became ill and the hospital expenses grew to mammoth proportions. Jacob took on odd jobs whenever he was not busy tending to the animals and garden, but when his beloved Emily became ill, he lost all interest and stayed by her side. The girls had always feared that their mother could pass away at any minute, but they were totally unprepared when Jacob died quietly and unexpectedly in his sleep one very cold night. He lay on a cot next to Emily’s bed, his hand in hers and a look of peace on his face. He had always said that he would not want to live in a world without Emily and his daughters knew this was a prayer of his that had been silently answered. Emily lived on another few years and now Amanda, Continued on page 2
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