Wow! Wow,
wow, wow! What a wonderful year for the holidays, here at the Memmel homestead,
in Waukesha, Wis. Where do I even begin? Let’s see here… (rubs chin and gazes off
into the distance, pondering choices…) Ahhh, I’ll begin with a story from the
past…
Do any of you remember when your attitude toward
Christmas and the holidays shifted from “woop de doo” parties, events, and pricy
gifts, to more of the “real deal?” I’ve always loved church, especially on
Christmas Eve, and I’ve never been a super good gift giver/receiver – always very
nervous, hoping my choices or reactions are correct, etc. But years ago you could always
count me in for plenty of the “woop de doo.” I do, however, remember the
Christmas that I began to respond to the holidays more like my mother would
have, than like the kid I’d been.
As I bravely shared in my book, “Five Fingers, Ten
Toes…” the fall/winter of 1988 were very hectic for our little family. I had a
brand new baby (born November 11th) and a three-year old. One day as
I sat in the rocking chair feeding Megan, Tony stood by my side listening to
his cassette tape of Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” He
asked me, “Mom, what do you want for Christmas?” I said something along the
lines of, “I just want everyone I love to be happy and healthy…” He crinkled
his nose and furrowed his three-year old’s brow. “Nooo, I mean what do you WANT
for Christmas?” …and I knew that beyond a shadow of a doubt, that’s honestly all
that I wanted.
When I was a youngster that answer would have frustrated
me too, but the older I grew, and the older I continue to grow, it’s truly all I want - ever.
I might even add a few more frustrating brow-furrowing wishes into my responses
nowadays such as, “During this season, I hope that we can all spend time together
with those we love the most…” Things like that.
So this year, I got my wish (and then some). Back in
October, after Megan came to town with Jakey, Joe decided he’d like to come
back to Wisconsin over the holidays to see everyone. Since their little family
would all be here, they thought it would be a good weekend to have Jake
baptized. It was decided that we’d host the ceremony right here at our home. Joe
and Megan placed several calls. One to the pastor she'd grown up with, who baptized, confirmed, and even married her and Joe. (So special!) They also placed a phone call to Tony and Lesleigh, asking them to be Jake’s
godparents. I heard through the grapevine that they were very thrilled to
accept that role. Tony and Les had not planned to come up here during the
holidays this year, but decided to change their initial plans. Thankfully
Lesleigh was able to figure it all out with her work schedule, and the two could
travel up from Nashville together. The scene was set – our whole family would
be together again – this time for Christmas and Jakey’s baptism.
What a joy it was for me to decorate and to get
everything organized – even the cleaning seemed tolerable knowing all of the
kids were coming – even our new little grandson. With multiple exciting reasons
for their visits, I felt extra energized and worked each day with a song in my
heart. The songs in my heart I refer to may or may not have been due to Tony
and Lesleigh’s brand new album, “We’ll Be on the Radio.” ( www.tonymemmel.com ) Word on the street
had it that Tony would be playing and singing his brand new release, “Jake’s
Song” for Jake during his baptism. Any moms or grammas out there that are
reading this will certainly be able to relate to the sentiment that such a combination
could bring. Right?
Everyone spent time with their other
families/inlaws, and then Christmas Eve was our turn to spend time together.
Church was at 5:30, so we all met there. I must tell you that one of the most
joy-filled moments I’ve ever experienced was walking up to communion that night
– our daughter in line behind me, followed by Joe holding our grandson. Tony
stood at the front of the church, singing and playing his guitar for “An Irish
Christmas Blessing,” and Lesleigh accompanied him on the piano. Wow, you know? Jake
was in a great mood, and even assisted in the singing of “Hark the Herald
Angels Sing,” by letting out a shriek at the exact right time. (So cute!) He was
also very attracted to the flame on Joe’s candle during the singing of “Silent
Night.” After the service we all came back here for food, gifts, chatter and
laughs. Did I mention laughs? Yeah…
It has become a tradition that we host a Christmas
Day brunch, so my dad, aunt, Todd’s brother and wife, my sister and husband,
Lesleigh’s mom and dad, (Joe’s mom and dad couldn’t make it) and our kids all
participated. We ate cheese and crackers, ham and scrambled eggs, rolls and fruit,
cookies and kringle. After everybody else left, our six-some (excuse me, seven-some) sat down for a viewing of one
of our family’s all-time favorite movies, “A Muppet Christmas Carol.” Jake just
happened to fall asleep on his Auntie Lesleigh’s lap, and napped during the
whole thing. Good timing, Buddy!
Todd had a nice idea. Before Christmas he asked the
kids if they had any plans for Saturday, and if not, to clear their mornings.
We bought the four of them reserved seats for an early viewing of “Star Wars”
on the local Ultrascreen. Megan felt confused. “But what about the baby?” We
assured her that he’d be in good hands with his gramma and grampa. The kids
came back here to prep for the baptism, and Todd and I took our turn seeing the
movie. When we got home, Tony and Les ordered pizza for us all, and we sat down
to drink a glass (or two) of wine and discuss the movie. Joe isn’t a big Star
Wars fan, but he said he had fun. The rest of us all shared our thoughts, our
questions, and our theories about what is yet to come in the series. I must
say, the movie passed my criteria for a good film - It made me laugh, it made
me teary, and it left me with questions. Oh
Star Wars – we’re so excited for the next part of your story!
And then there was the baptism. Let me start by
saying that back in 1985, Todd’s mom knit a baptismal gown for Tony. I actually
mention it in my book. Three years later, Megan wore it too. I put it away and
stored it in its box for the past 27 years. When I took it out this fall, there
was some bad yellowing on the front, up near the neck/chest. I felt terrible,
and very unsure of how to remedy the situation. There is a group of women at
our church with extensive knitting knowledge. They call themselves “The Knit
Wits” (isn’t that fun?) Anyway, I took the dress to one of their meetings, and
they each gave their opinion of how I might clean it. Once they determined it
wasn’t “wool,” it opened up some good possibilities. I was able to get the
garment back to its initial white, and I felt so relieved and happy. Jake would
wear the same outfit that his mom and uncle had worn. Since Todd’s mom and dad
have both passed away, it felt like somehow they were present and able to
participate in a special way.
For the ceremony, Todd and I were both asked to do a
short scripture reading. As the pastor poured the water from the pitcher into
the bowl, he spoke of how God moved over the waters at creation, and it made me
shiver (in a good way) to know that Jake was now also receiving this special sacrament. Joe
and Megan looked so nice, standing there dressed in their Sunday’s finest, promising
to raise their little boy in the Christian faith. Tony and Lesleigh also vowed
to keep Jake as a special and Godly part of their lives. And all who were
gathered in the room also answered the important questions of faith: “Do you
believe in God the Father, Jesus His Son as your Saviour, the Holy Spirit who
works among and within us…?” Tony did
sing Jake his song, and I can’t vouch for anyone else, but tears were
definitely rolling down my cheeks. Joe and Megan threw their son a party following
the ceremony and it was so nice to talk and catch up with everyone. Some left
early, and some stayed late, but one thing remains certain: Jacob is a very
blessed little boy to have so many people who love him. And now he’s baptized.
Keep in mind that the Memmels haven’t all celebrated
Christmas together since 2009. There have been different group variations, but not
all together. As we celebrated the holidays this year, I couldn’t help thinking
back to that conversation I shared with Tony in 1988. Everyone was together,
and all reasonably healthy and happy. Happiness and health – two things we all
seem to want most - two things we cannot buy in a store.
Here we are, with 2016 already in full swing. Let’s
make a toast to health and happiness for us all... Cheers!
