We lived out in the country on ten acres of land, and I thought how fortunate we were to have our very own Christmas tree lot in our backyard in the wooded acreage behind the two cleared acres on which our house set. Daddy and my brother would simply have to walk back into the woods to chop down a fresh tree each year. Standing off to the front side of the house was our very own holly tree covered with red berries and shiny green leaves. It was the most beautiful tree to me and seemed like nature’s own decorated tree with red berries that looked like mini bulbs. We always had enough to fill our house with the natural aroma of fresh evergreen and holly decorations. The only thing that was needed was a little creative thought which I never seemed to lack. Mother would pull out her old box of Christmas lights and bulbs, and those were the only store bought items needed for the special final touch. Sometimes, she’d buy a can of fake snow and stencils so we could decorate the windows with various signs of the season. Christmas was definitely homemade and simple, but always so special.

On occasion, due to Daddy’s illness, hospital stay, or lack of income, Mother would have to take a job to make ends meet. Unfortunately, the months prior to and during Christmas that year were one of those times. It wasn’t easy, as she’d leave the house in the dark and arrive back home after dark. Living out in the country had its benefits; however, abundant job opportunities were definitely not one of them. Many traveled to nearby towns to find work, and some over 30 miles one-way to New Orleans where Mother had to travel each day in a carpool. She didn’t seem to mind doing what she had to do, and I think she even enjoyed the change of scenery since she had basically been a city girl much of her life --- unlike Daddy who loved the country life since a kid growing up in rural Mississippi. Mother never met a stranger and loved to talk with everyone, so those things helped make-up for the long daily drives and her job as a waitress at a large mall. Her warm kindness and twinkling, smiling eyes seemed to draw people to her. Still, the burden she seemed to carry lightly was very hard.

After school, I would help out around the house with cleaning, washing clothes, ironing, and starting supper each evening. I couldn’t bear the thought of Mother’s having to be on her feet all day long, then coming home to spend the rest of the night doing household chores. Too young for a driver’s license, and along with my younger sister in the car, I even drove the country back roads to pick-up my brother at a drop-off point after football practices each evening. High school was twelve miles away; and my brother and I road the twelve-mile stretch two times a day on a public school bus. However, during football season, he and a friend shared rides with various people to get home in the late evenings. My sister and I would hop in the car and off we would go into the darkness to head to the main part of our little town. It was always a relief to see lights and especially to see my brother. When he got into the car behind the wheel, I felt as if I were handing over the reins to him --- whew!

Mature beyond my years, I was young for my age of 14 upon entering my sophomore year of high school. But, I had finally arrived! I excelled in school all my life, but the added responsibilities at home gradually began to wear on that. Still, I pushed and did the best I possibly could under the circumstances. And, I managed to have lots of fun at school functions and with friends, as well as stay active in various school activities and clubs. Problem was my good friends lived twelve miles away in another town where I now attended high school. I had actually begun the trek back and forth to movies, football games, dances, etc. when I was in 8th grade. My brother, two grades ahead of me, was a big influence with that since he played football and was an excellent back for the high school. Even though he had a hard time with a “little sister” showing up at some of the same places, he eventually got used to it.

It was during that time that I met and fell in love for the very first time with a guy who was everything to me. Our occasional dating actually began when I was a freshman still in Jr. High. So, by the time I made it to high school my sophomore year, I was thrilled because it meant seeing him everyday; and I lived for those moments.

With Christmas soon approaching, I had no idea how or what I was going to be able to get for him as a gift. I went to Mother to ask if she would telephone Mrs. Maple, a widow lady who owned and operated a motel across the field from our house, to see if she possibly had anything I could do to earn some extra money. I wanted to have enough to be able to go to one of the best men’s shops to get a very special gift. Mother wasn’t too keen on the idea of my working, but seeing my desperate persistence, she gave into it. Mrs. Maple told Mother she had temporarily lost the woman who ironed all the sheets, and that I could possibly try that. I jumped at the opportunity, since even small jobs like baby-sitting were non-existent out in our little town. I soon had enough money for a very nice gift, or so I thought, until I entered a few fine men’s shops and saw the prices. But, Mother had an idea.

I traveled to New Orleans with her one day; and while she worked, I spent the entire day at the mall searching for the perfect gift. I saw so many things, but the amount of money I had wouldn’t touch them. It was almost the end of the day, and I was still empty-handed and now depressed; so, I went to where Mother worked and sat down to have a Coke while I waited for a minute to talk with her. She suggested I go next door to a nice men’s shop to look for a shirt. A shirt, I thought, seemed so ordinary especially coming from just a “nice” men’s shop --- it wasn’t the Best. She said she’d help me if I didn’t have enough money --- to just to let her know. My heart sank as I knew she barely had enough for our family. As a last resort, I went into the men’s shop when much to my surprise they had just added a huge red “SALE” sign on a display of shirts. I was able to buy a shirt without Mother’s help, and I was so very excited.

When my boyfriend and I exchanged gifts, he gave me a necklace with a clear rectangle gemstone. To me, it was like a beautiful diamond. I was apprehensive about his opening my ordinary gift of a shirt, but I hoped he would like it, and he did.

After struggling so hard to give the best, I learned it doesn’t matter what you give ---
the very best is in the heart, so whatever you give of yourself will always be
the Very Best.

Copyright © December 2007
by Ashleigh Austin