White haired Angel
Yesterday I took my little family over the overpass and through the snow to my Grandmother’s house in Blackfoot. For as long as I can remember the extended Baldwin family has joined together to celebrate the season.
As I child it was always held on the last Saturday before Christmas. I loved this time. I can remember floating down the road in our brown station wagon (The Lube) and listening to Christmas Songs on the radio (back then they only played them a few days before Christmas). Occasionally I would hear my mother exclaim in her nervousness about driving on slick roads. I will admit that my favorite part of this party as a child is when Santa Clause would enter the room and bring each child a present. I couldn’t believe he could make time to come a little early to our party- we were sooo lucky! Seeing my Grandpa was also one of my favorite parts. We didn’t get to spend a lot of time with my Baldwin Grandparents because we lived far enough away and also because they were gone on one of their four missions. My Grandpa Baldwin had a way to make me feel just as special as possible in a line up of 40+ other grandkids by asking me about my music (my trademark as a child). Every time he said my name he would sing the rhyme "Jodi Podi puddin’ and pie, kissed the boys and made them cry". He also had his pocketful of peppermint peptobismal-like candies and a bag of oranges that made my young girl heart excited. He would tell a story of little orphan Annie, that his mom (Grandma Docia) use to tell – Grandpa would also share the Christmas story from the Bible (Luke 2). My Grandma Lila always had (and still does) a sweet smile and nod of the head. She is more quiet and gentle and sweet. Seeing her yesterday with her white hair and smile made me think of an angel (which is what she is for putting up with my Grandpa for all of those years :)). This woman is such an amazing example to me. She can no longer see and needs help to walk, but the love that emanates from her is undeniable.
All of us cousins would get a chance to share a talent at the family Christmas party if we wanted to as well. Yesterday my cousin Amy came. I hadn’t seen her for well over 10 years and she only lives in Pocatello. It made me remember singing a song We Need a Little Christmas with her at one of our parties. I also reflected on joining with my girl cousins as a teenager and talking down in my cousin’s room while waiting for the program to begin. The girl cousins my age: Teena, Amy, Linda, and Alison were some of my great friends. Most years it would take me a little of time to warm up to them because I didn’t get to see them very often; but once I did, I enjoyed my time with them. Back then we didn’t text each other or even email. We sent each other letters through the postal system. I loved having cousin pen pals and saved all of my letters. It has been interesting to watch the different roads we have all traveled and had to learn from…the most difficult being my cousin Alison who passed away from Cancer leaving a young little boy and husband.
I am very grateful for the good memories from my childhood and the kindness and stalwart examples from my uncles and aunts. I feel like I am only now able to recognize them and see them for who they are as an adult person…as a child I just knew them as Teena’s mom or Amy’s dad. Now I marvel and become amazed at the stories and wisdom behind their faces.
I am glad that my children and husband were able to share a little piece of my past with me yesterday.
 Olivia, Mason, Great Grandma Baldwin, & Lily |
 Mason stunned everyone with his mad Yo-Yo skills (he volunteered to share!) |
 Lily wowed the audience with Jingle Bells |
 Not from the Christmas Party, but I loved the memory from this photo |
 fun times! |
 JT escaped a couple of time to share “his talent”. |