On the Fifth Day of a Feminine Christmas
As a lullaby, I often sang “Away in a Manger” to my daughter and not just at Christmas. It was the only song I could sing on key and the melody is slow enough that I could do it with nary a croak and even whisper it softly when necessary. Of course, she has no memory of this but in the car last week, she turned the volume up during a beautiful Julie Andrews’ rendition. “I just love this carol”, she said looking at the dark road ahead as she drove me home from our Christmas shopping trip. I told her I used to sing the carol to her as a babe but said nothing more about it. I have to temper my “Mom” memories because they can be so ridiculously sentimental and sappy and I don’t want to overwhelm her – she’s young and practical and cannot yet know the strong feelings a new mother has for her baby. They’ll be plenty of time for that when she has a child of her own. I have no doubt…
My daughter was born three weeks early on a crystalline Epiphany. Our holiday out-of-state company had stayed until that very eve and when they departed, I thought how nice it was that I still had three weeks to pack a bag for the hospital, launder the new baby clothes we received for Christmas, and cook and freeze some meals. Best laid plans cannot trump a baby that wants to be born.
It was an icy and blustery ride to the hospital and every nurse that entered my room commented on the wintry weather outside the narrow slit of a window I had. Of course, the weather was of little concern to me but a frosty January night still has the power to tickle an internal thrill from that wondrous Epiphany.
And just as my daughter called recently for my grandmother’s chocolate bread pudding recipe that I make every Christmas Eve, I know one day she will want to know the name of the lullaby I sang to her. And it will be an epiphany that nudges her – a sudden pleasant insight into something long past. I have no doubt…
10 Comments
DebbyMc
Silent Night was the lullaby I sang to my first baby, born on December 4. I never hear it, even these 35 years later, without thinking of him and that so very special time, a quiet, loving time shared between my little Christmas angel and me. Just writing this comment brings back that sweet magic.
Cissy Foster
Oh Donna, that was the very same song I would sing to my son when he was little. Sleepless nights for him would find me singing that song even at the age of 4 years, it would lull him to sleep, with sweet heavenly thoughts for him and myself. Now that he is married, if he should have children, I will sing that song to my Grandchildren as well. Thank-you for the memory so sweet!
La Contessa
BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES………..make me tear up!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
XX
donna macdonald
You're so sweet Contessa! Going to Newport this week!
Dana L.
Ditto the request for chocolate bread pudding recipe- sounds delicious! I am loving this feminine Christmas series. Your daughter is lucky to have a sweet loving mom like you. I am sure that lullaby brings her so much comfort and joy.
donna macdonald
Thank you Dana! I will post the recipe soon.
Karen
My December baby came before Christmas and arrived back home after a prolonged hospital stay tucked in a Christmas stocking, courtesy of the warm-hearted nurses at a local hospital. My dear Christmas baby–there something very special about babies who arrive on wings of snow, isn't there?? What a dear post, Donna!! And yes, recipe, please!!!
donna macdonald
Awww Karen! I will post recipe soon.
efstathia kositzidou
I can really sympathise with you.I gave birth to my first daughter in a Christmas morning 27 years ago.The memories are so strong and i stop myself from being oversentimental.Thats old peoples characteristic isnt it?Chocolate bread pudding recipe,is it possible to post it for us?Merry Christmas!
donna macdonald
Yes Efstathia! Old people's prerogative! I will post the recipe soon.