Mrs. Miller's Weekly Update
Monday, December 19, 2022 - Sunday, January 8th, 2023
Mom's Purple Dishes
I also promised you I would share the story of a tradition my mom started over 40 years ago with my family. For as far back as I can remember, my family had a fancy meal by candlelight on Christmas Eve. The best part was we used my mom's purple dishes that had been given to her by her own mom many years before.
My first memory of this was probably when I was 6 or 7, and the tradition continued until my mom died in 2009. Even as an adult when I lived in Dallas, TX, I would drive the 13 hours home every year to have our Christmas Eve candlelight dinner with the purple dishes. I seldom remembered what gifts I received, but I always remembered our family dinners on Christmas Eve.
Faust Christmas 1997
March, 2009
Fast forward several years to March of 2009. My mom had just died of cancer, and my sister and I were meeting with Father Huber to discuss the funeral arrangements. He asked us to share some of our favorite stories and memories of our mom, and my sister and I almost simultaneously said, "Christmas Eve dinner with her purple dishes." I will never forget the odd look Father gave us.
A few days later was Mom's funeral. During his eulogy, as is customary, Father Huber talked about Mom. He had visited with her frequently over the last few months of her life, and he had gotten to know her well. He talked about the difficulties she had faced in life, and in that conversation, Father mentioned Mom talking about how hard it was raising four kids with the financial struggles they had. Mom told him how hard Christmas was for her because she wanted to buy us kids gifts, but they didn't have much money. Then Father looked right at my sister and me, and said something along these lines:
"When I met with Juanita's daughters a few days ago, they both mentioned one of their favorite memories growing up was having a candlelight dinner on Christmas Eve using her purple dishes. I was taken aback when they mentioned it, because I already knew this story. I had heard it from Juanita. She said she was particularly stressed one Christmas season because she didn't know how she could afford to buy presents for her kids. So Juanita decided to get out her fancy dishes, light some candles, and try to make the meal a special event. And when her daughters brought this up as one of their favorites memories year after year, I don't think they had any idea Juanita created this tradition out of a sense of desperation and love."
And let me tell you...my siblings and I were bawling at this point in the funeral service. I had no idea the reason behind the tradition, and as a mother myself, I realized how much Mom had sacrificed and worried about making our Christmases special.
So remember this, parents, grandparents, and guardians - IT IS NOT ABOUT THE GIFTS UNDER THE TREE. IT IS ABOUT THE LOVE YOUR KIDS FEEL. Traditions are remembered, and presents seldom are.
If you are concerned about giving your kids a happy holiday, remember it's YOU that brings them the most joy. Create memories. Start a new tradition. All my mom did was fix us a meal with fancy dishes and candlelight. Traditions don't need to be expensive, and they don't need to be elaborate, either. Share your love with your kids this holiday season, and I bet they will have the best Christmas ever.
Christmas Eve 2012
The Tradition Continues
Fast forward to the present day - My sister inherited Mom's purple dishes, and I got her wedding China. I have carried on my mom's tradition of dinner on Christmas Eve by candlelight with fancy dishes, and every year, I think of Mom with love and a renewed appreciation for all she did for us. My hope is that my own two kids continue Mom's legacy of creating memories of a fancy meal by candlelight at Christmas Eve.
Make this the best holiday season every!
Christmas Eve's Past
Mom & Me - 2000
I am wishing all of the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura families the most joyous of holiday seasons!
Weekly Calendar
Mon., Dec. 19
7:00 p.m. - High School Holiday Band Concert - HS Auditorium
Tues., Dec. 20
4:00 p.m. - JV/V G/B Basketball (H) vs. Eagle Grove
(JV Girls will play 2 quarters)
6:00 p.m. - Varsity Wrestling Quad @ Osage
Wed., Dec. 21
Thurs., Dec. 22
2 Hour Early Dismissal (1:25 p.m.)
3:45 p.m. - Girls JV/V & Boys V Basketball @ Humboldt (JV Dismiss: 2:05/Bus: 2:15)
Fri., Dec. 23 - Mon., Jan. 2
No School - Winter Break
Mon., Jan. 2
11:00 a.m. - JV/V G/B Basketball @ Lake Mills (Rescheduled)
Tues., Jan. 3
No School - Teacher Professional Development Day
5:00 p.m. - JV Boys Basketball @ Humboldt
Wed., Jan. 4
Thurs., Jan. 5
5:00 p.m. - Girls JV/V Basketball (H) vs. Belmond-Klemme
6:00 p.m. - Varsity Wrestling Quad @ Swea City
6:30 p.m. - JJV Boys Basketball @ Bishop Garrigan (Bus: 4:50)
Fri., Jan. 6
2nd Quarter/1st Semester Ends
4:00 p.m. - JV/V G/B Basketball @ North Union (JV Dismiss: 2:05/Bus: 2:15)
Sat., Jan. 7
NCIBA District Honor Band
10:00 a.m. - Varsity Wrestling Tournament @ Graettinger-Terrill/Ruthven-Ayrshire
1:00 p.m. - JV/V G/B Basketball @ Algona
Sun., Jan. 8