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Merry Christmas Eve, Mamaw
Published: 12/24/2012 7:00 AM
Last Modified: 12/21/2012 4:52 PM


One of my favorite annual photo opps from childhood was Christmas Eve at Mamaw and Papaw Wright's house. Usually, it was just the kids: me (the guy in red at far left), brother Jay, and our three cousins (Jennifer, Julie and Stephanie). That's why this one's particularly fabulous because our grandparents were in it, too.

At some point today or tomorrow, my cousin Julie is going to give our Mamaw Wright a collection of each grandkids' memories of Christmas at her house.

I thought that was a really cool idea. I also thought, "I'm the writer in the family -- why didn't I think of this?"

Anyway, in honor of my grandmother, I thought I'd share what I wrote ...

"As a kid, the year seemed to revolve around Christmas -- and the best thing about Christmas, it seemed to me back then, was all the presents. I remember sneaking into Mamaw and Papaw's bedroom while they were in the kitchen to count the wrapped boxes with my name on it. Occasionally, I had an accomplice, but I'll refrain from incriminating them. (You're welcome, Stephanie.)

"But, when I look back at those times, I couldn't tell you what I got for Christmas in second grade, or third, or fourth. What I do remember is being happy -- very happy, and loved, and so lucky, and spoiled beyond belief.

"It's hard to pick a single memory, but among my favorites are the ones that happened before the big party on Christmas Eve. Like my senior year in high school, when I helped Mamaw make the Christmas candy -- the Martha Washington, the fudge, the date nut loaf. It was like having a sneak peek into Santa's workshop.

"That's been 20 years ago. We've all grown up and moved around, had kids of our own (well, most of us, anyway), and we don't have those Christmases like we used to. But I am so, so very thankful to have vivid memories of all those Christmas Eves. Not because of the presents, but all the little details -- the sound of Buck Owens singing "Santa Looks A Lot Like Daddy" on the old stereo, the glow of the tinsel-covered tree, playing Spades with the girls at the kitchen table, laughing at whatever crazy thing Jennifer said, sneaking a 10th piece of fudge after being told not to have anymore -- all those little things that make up the greatest holiday movie that plays in my mind this time of year, and all year through.

"Thank you, Mamaw, for those memories. They are, without a doubt, THE best gift you have ever given me, and I thank God for you every day. I love you, Mamaw. Merry Christmas!"

... And a very merry Christmas to all of you ... XOXO


Reader Comments 2 Total
annalee (last month)
When I see "Mamaw" in the headline, I know it's a keeper! Merry Christmas Jason, and thanks for all the smiles!
DomoArrigato (last month)
The best blessing of all this time of year, is the memories we hold dear in our hearts, of ones that are no longer here. They filled our hearts with their love, and now we can think back to those days and remember them.
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Living Wright

While other kids were watching "The Smurfs," Scene Writer Jason Ashley Wright was tuned in to "Style with Elsa Klensch." By fourth grade, he knew he wanted to write, and spent almost three years publishing a weekly teen-oriented magazine, Teen-Zine -- circulation: 2. After earning a degree in journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi, he became the medical reporter and teen board coordinator for the Hattiesburg (Miss.) American, a Gannett newspaper. Eight months later, with visions of Elsa dancing in his head, he applied for the fashion writer position at the Tulsa World, where he began working on Aug. 3, 1998. He is now a general assignment reporter for Scene.

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