By K.J. Schricker
Reporter, Carbon County Comet
Most everybody has memories of going to their grandparents for the holidays; long days of running outdoors, playing in the snow building snow forts and having snowball fights. The games could go on for hours. Sometimes the game could go on until well after dark. ‘Ghost In The Graveyard’ was a favorite game that lasted until well past dark.
Going inside at Grandma’s house after a long day of play as the sky becomes an orange tapestry with its purple streaks of clouds after the wet boots and clothes were put aside and the new pajamas were donned, it was time to settle in and there was always that blanket. One of those scratchy, warm blankets that Grandma kept behind the couch.
Hot cocoa and cookies, cakes and bars would come out of the kitchen after dinner, then that blanket is wrapped around you. It was thin but comfortingly toasty. Soon, eyelids drooped as good food warmed you. The cold wet toes are now thawed and dry. Cheeks, once rosy from the chill are now flushed with heat as you and all your siblings and cousins fell to sleep on the floor at Grandma’s house contended with the day.
You didn’t know how cold you were until you were not cold anymore and you fell asleep in Grandma’s blanket which seemed to magically whisk away the cold and gave you comfort.
Looking back one always gets nostalgic for those long-ago days, especially during the holidays. We hope that we can imbue the same sense of family and magic to our children and grandchildren.
