Thursday, December 2, 2010

A Moment of Magic


Mama Kat has challenged us this week with a prompt:

If you could relive any moment in your life…

A Moment of Magic

When Grandma came to visit, she stayed in my bedroom because I didn’t sleep in there anyhow. To my brother’s embarrassment, I slept with him until he grew too old, had enough, and kicked me out.

One Christmas Eve, I left my brother’s bed in the middle of the night. I crawled into my own bed, with Grandma.

Grandma was not like other Grandma’s I knew, and I wanted more of her. She was beautiful, ladylike, wore sparkly jewels, hummed to herself almost all day, had boundless energy, smelled good, and took me to exciting places like New York and San Francisco.

Grandma always made this little “pooh” puff-of-air-sound when she slept. It made me giggle.

As I giggled, Grandma started to wake.

“Grandma,” I whispered.

“Kristy,” she said with a smile and held me close. “Has Santa come?” she asked.

“No, it’s the middle of the night!” I whispered excitedly.

“Oh, well, we better get to sleep then so that Santa can come,” my grandma urged.

“Yes,” I said and snuggled against her warm body, waiting to hear the “pooh” sound from my grandma’s lips.

Moments passed. I was a little startled when my grandma said, “Do you hear that?” she asked.

I thought she was falling asleep.

“No,” I said, “What?”

“Listen. Listen close. I think I hear reindeer hooves on the roof,” she said.

Grandma continued, “There! Right there – did you hear it that time?”

I was straining my ears. I couldn’t believe it! Was Grandma serious? I wasn’t even sure if Santa really existed, but maybe…

“Yes! I hear it,” I almost shouted, “I hear the little sounds of hooves, Grandma!”

“Keep listening. You may be able to hear the jingle of bells soon,” my grandma suggested.

Amazing what you can make yourself hear if you want to. Amazing what you can make yourself believe if you want to.

I swore I heard the hooves on the roof that night and the jingle of bells. For many years, I would think back on that, holding onto a childhood’s dream of Santa. Remembering a night, close to my grandma, that only she and I shared.

A moment of magic.

23 comments:

Anna Walker said...

AWESOME! :)
I love love love love love this story!
You are so talented, and she sounds like a super freaking awesome grandmother!

http://annawalker1992.blogspot.com/

Glen said...

ah lovely - special.

Venassa said...

Aww such a beautiful moment. Your grandma sounds amazing.

Adelle said...

That is precious. I remember just such a night myself! I was beside myself with excitement...Mom told me later that I started running a fever from nothing but nerves.

Only, that time it really WAS hooves (my dad) on the roof and sleigh bells (the dog) in the yard...

I just love Christmas! Thanks for stopping by today...

Jen said...

This made me cry. Reminds me so much of my Grandma, she has been gone for 3 years now.

Oh how I love magical moments like this.

Oddyoddyo13 said...

This was so gorgeous! Santa is always one of the best parts of Christmas-just believing in him is enough. :)

Cristina said...

you have me crying!!!!!! oh what a beautiful memory!

Brittany said...

A beautiful story and I too, thought I heard the deer on the chimney too!

Tenille said...

What a lovely story, and you tell it so beautifully x

Kristi {at} Live and Love...Out Loud said...

Aww, that is so sweet Kristy. Is this your grandmother that recently passed away? :(

Rathi said...

That is so cute Kristy. It is a beautiful memory to hold onto...

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful memory - thank you for sharing it.
Visiting from SITS

Anonymous said...

She loved holding you and whispering in the night just as much as you, Kristy. Sharing her life with her grandchildren gave her many moments of magic. I love you, Mom

Cheryl said...

What a sweet, sweet memory. Your grandmother loved you very, very much.

Suzie G said...

Oh how beautiful :)
And wasn't your brother sweet for letting you sleep with him!

Katie said...

What a lovely memory. Yay for grandma's! :D Hey, thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday for my SITS day!

Babes Mami said...

Sounds like a great memory!

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

What a beautiful story. I'm trying to create some lovely moments for my grandkids... the beauty of that story is really something to aim for!

Unknown said...

Oh I love that story. My parents always went all out even dragging snow into the house to show that Santa was there. Soooo much fun! Happy Weekend

Mrs. Lisa Douglas said...

That was wonderful.
Your grandma sounds alot like my own grandma. Super classy, always humming or singing, and FUN!

Anonymous said...

Amazing what you can make yourself believe if you want to...I love that!

What a wonderful moment to capture here. (Visiting from Red Dress Club!)

Michelle said...

What a great story. I wish I had a grandma like that.

Fowl Single File said...

That is lovely. Thank you for sharing that with us and making me get all teary for a moment (in a good way!).