Set the table

 

 

My Aunt Vada is one of the most precious people in the world.  She has always been my ‘crazy’ aunt—the one who goes places, tells stories well, listens to me, and communicates with others.  Aunt Vada sends me the funniest stories, some of them not repeatable to anyone other than my close family.  

I think this story would be fine.

  

                                              The Good Napkins

My mother taught me to read when I was about four years old, thrilling all who heard me. One day, I was in the bathroom and noticed one of the cabinet doors was ajar.  I read the box in the cabinet. 

I then asked my mother why she was keeping ‘napkins’ in the bathroom.  “Don’t they belong in the kitchen?” 

Not wanting to burden me with unnecessary facts, she told me that those were for ‘special occasions’.

Time passes, memories remain…it’s Christmas Day, and my folks were leaving to pick up my uncle and his wife for dinner.  Mom had assignments for all of us while they were gone.  Mine was to set the table.

When they returned, my uncle came in first, and immediately burst into laughter.  Next came his wife who gasped, then began giggling.  Next came my father, who roared with laughter.  

Then came Mom, who almost died of embarrassment when she saw each place setting on the table with a ‘special occasion’ Kotex napkin at each plate, with the fork carefully arranged on top.  I had even tucked the little tail in so they didn’t hang off the edge!!

My mom asked me why used these and, of course, my response sent the other adults into further fits of laughter.  “But, Mom, you said they were for special occasions!!”

Aunt Vada’s friend added, “life is too short for drama and petty things…so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly, forgive quickly, and for heaven’s sake, use the good napkins whenever you can.”

 There is another story about cloth napkins, around here somewhere.

Original posting was 2016.

There Go I

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On Christmas Day these events I observed:

A lone man shivering and looking at his feet while waiting for a bus

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Cold rain falling on an overloaded pick-up truck as it moved belongings from one abode to another

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The sound of an ambulance coming from a near-by assisted living complex

Christmas tree lot with many unsold trees, all unattended

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A single car parked at McDonalds

On the freeway, a car with a flat tire and a woman with children inside waiting for the tow truck

On Christmas Day these events I experienced:

My granddaughters in their pajamas, opening gifts, squealing with delight

My grandson (six months old) sitting in my lap, chewing on his favorite finger

Laughter from my family

Safety

Warmth

Food

Holding my husband’s hand

But for a twist of chance or fortune, I/we could have been in the first list.  In fact, we have been on that list at one time or another.  What about you?  What did you see on Christmas Day?  Have you ever been in one of those spots?