If there is one Christmas album that I remember from my
childhood, it’s Kenny and Dolly. I know all the words to “Christmas to Remember”
and “Christmas Without You.” Someone pulled out the CD and played it on Christmas
Eve this year. Konnie, Mom and I sat on the couch singing “Hard Candy Christmas”
at the top of our lungs. Mama looked at us at one point and asked, “What does
that even mean? A hard candy Christmas?” We didn’t know. We just kept singing
and laughing.
The next day, Mama would get in the car for the long drive
to see Grandma Shelby.
When I got home, I finally looked up that phrase. Whatever
it meant. I’m not sure how reliable my sources are, but some seem to suggest
that a hard candy Christmas was when money was tight and times were hard that
all folks could afford to give their kids for Christmas was hard candy. My sources
date this to the late 1800’s through World War I and the Great Depression. It
makes sense to me, true or not.
I know a lot of folks today who, while they can afford more
than just hard candy, still feel that perhaps the past few years have truly
been a hard candy Christmas.

It was Dad. He called to tell us Grandma Shelby had passed
away.
We knew she was no longer in pain. Finally free of the
cancer she was diagnosed with in August. We hugged each other there in the kitchen. And we finished
those cookies. We’ll say goodbye next weekend. But I wanted to thank you all
for your prayers for Grandma Shelby. Your love and kind words meant so much to
me, and to her.
Maybe a hard candy Christmas is a phrase for more than just
the money strapped. Maybe it’s a phrase for those who’re missing a loved one
over the holidays. I’m sure that come next Christmas, my voice will crack when
I sing that song and think about what we didn’t know yet on Christmas Eve 2012.
But I’ll also think about all the people who prayed and cared for Grandma
Shelby and loved her through her cancer.
(You can read more about our incredible Grandma's life here.)
Oh Shelby, my heart hurts for you. Grandma Shelby left your family an incredible legacy of love and faith and those are not gifts she took with her. I will be holding your family in prayer as you celebrate her life and grieve the hole she left. I wish I could hug you.
ReplyDeletePlease know that our family hurts for you and with you. We are holding all of you close to our hearts and in our prayers. I am glad your Grandma is out of pain and walking on those streets of gold but I know that everyone that knew her will be missing her!
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