Pecans and Little Sister

Hi Everyone, Want to wish you a very Merry Christmas. This is such a special time of the year. A time to remember that our Savoir  was born. God's gift to the world that first Christmas day can only be compared to the death on the cross of our Savior for you and me. God's love walked this earth as man for 33 years and the world has never been the same.
Christmas holds different memories for each of us. I don't remember the gifts I got except for The White Dog that I shared in my first posting. The small leather purses that James D gave us is my other memory, I called them our first young lady purses. Yet I do have fond Christmas memories. The year my little sister Becky was born is a gift that still keeps on giving and then the baking that mom would do. So I'd like to share two of my writings Pecans and Little Sister. I'll visit again for New Years. Have a wonderful time with your families and let them know you love them.  Brenda



                                                                     Pecans

     Amazingly you can find grace in pecan pie. Growing up in the little house gave me many fond memories. We had pecan trees in the back yard and on the east side of the house. I loved to eat pecans right off the trees. The back yard had soft shell pecans that were longer than the regular pecans. You could easily crack them in your hand. Mom used the regular pecans to do her baking. I have always wished I had a pecan tree in my yard.
     Mom did a lot of baking of cakes and pies to sell.  Making  extra money to help the family. She went through a dishpan of pecans around the holidays. Yes, my favorite pie was and is pecan. She made every pie and cake from scratch, no mix was ever used. Coconut, date, angel food, carrot, German Chocolate and of course banana were among the cakes she baked. Pies included pecan, pumpkin, banana cream, chocolate cream, coconut cream, all kinds of meringues, custard, apple and berry. Later came the mandarin orange and red velvet cake.Our house filled with the most amazing smells at holiday time.
     Around the holidays our tiny kitchen was a flurry of work. Every table and counter was filled with fresh baked pies and cakes, waiting to be picked up. People would call weeks in advance to be sure they got their order in. It was hectic the day before a holiday. mom trying to things ready for the family and everyone picking up their orders.
     I don't remember ever getting a birthday present. Christmas was the time for gifts. But on our birthday, we had the choice of cake or pie that we wanted. Mom's date cake was the best for me and then pecan pie. On April eighth there were two cakes. One for me and one for Linda. That was our special treat and one time we didn't have to share by picking just one cake for the two of us.
     There was always batches of cookies and candy made weeks before Christmas. We would box them up and send to cousins in the military. To me mom's pecan patties and the divinity topped the list with her fudge.
     Mom taught us to cook and bake. But, I was never able to master the pie crust. Thank goodness for store bought. When it came to cooking meals, mom never measured anything. Her measurements consisted on handfuls of this, dabs of that, and pinches of this, seasoning to taste. It is very hard to write down a recipe with that kind of measurements
     Mom's pies, cakes, cookies and candy are among my fondest memories at the little house. You may ask where is the grace in pecans. The warmth and love shared together in the little kitchen and knowing we were loved was God's grace in our lives.




                                                                  Little Sister

     Becky, short for Rebecca Lynn. We were all thrilled when she was born that December day. Linda and I were eleven years old and we thought it would be great to have a little sister. She was spoiled from the day she came home by everyone in the house. Linda and I had a large collection of dolls, Becky managed to get them all, but we didn't care. Linda and I would bribe her to sleep with us. Very rarely did Becky sleep in her own room.
     When Linda and I were to take care of Becky, she would run off to the Packing House, where mom was working, it was a short distance up the lane from the house. Linda would go outside and yell for Becky, but she would never answer. Years later Becky told us she would hear Linda yelling, she just laughed and ignored her.
     Becky hated day care and mom finely hired Rose to stay with her and care for the house. Becky loved staying with Rose and would mind her.We all came to love Rose. She was and always will be a very special person in our lives. I was disappointed when she and Ernie did not come to my wedding. Rose said she didn't think blacks would be welcome in our church. I was deeply saddened by that, but she was probably
right. We rarely see Rose and Ernie any more, mostly at a funeral visitation of our family. Ernie worked for dad for many years. He was a hard working, quiet man and I have a great respect for him.
    Becky loved animals and made pets of everyone that came near our house. She even made pets of the cattle, bulls and horses and would feed them vegetables from the refrigerator. Mom gave in and Becky was the one that she allowed to have a pet in the house. She stayed up all night one time caring for her sick kitten. Several years ago she was looking for a place she could buy in this area and raise cattle to sell. Our brother James told her, no way, you would make pets of everyone and have them all named. You would never be able to sell them. She gave up the idea.
     One thing I do remember, I was laying on the floor watching TV, Becky was sitting on my back and bit me. I yelled, it did hurt but I was the one that got in trouble for yelling. I always felt mom was unfair to me. Becky was very young, I didn't blame her for biting me and I know she didn't mean to hurt me. But I didn't deserve to get in trouble either. That one situation still effects how I handle anger today.
     She loved to embarrass me. Just as David came to the door to pick me up one night for a date, Becky announced, I saw Brenda and David kissing. Then she grinned at me, like she was innocent, I knew better. At that moment I wanted to strangle her.
     When it came to mom and dad, Becky would butt heads with both of them. When she got older and would pick out her own clothes, mom was not always happy with her choice. Becky would find a way to get around her. Becky was the one that could hold her own with dad. They were a lot alike, they fussed at one another all the time. Mom would just shake her head. I think it was fun for both of them. No one else could fuss with dad and get away with it.
     It was not unusual for Becky or one or all of James' kids to go shopping or to run an errand with me for mom. You could often find some of the kids out on a date with David and I. We would take them to the movies from time to time. Becky even sang a valentine song for David, that we recorded. Some years ago we gave Becky a copy of that recording. I have many fond memories of times with all the kids.
     I was not able to watch Becky grow up.She was nine when I married and moved away. Wish I could have been there for her. Becky had some rough times growing up. Dad's health was not the best and there was problems with the business. She has become a beautiful caring woman. Loves to help others. She is still very independent  Has two wonderful kids. Marcus is in Alaska working. Tosha, I worried a lot about her.Traveled the world with her boyfriend on bicycles. They both taught in China for a few years. Now they are back in the states and she is working for a bank.
     Becky likes to stay busy and to travel. She has spent years in Alaska and Arizona. Traveled to Mexico many times. She now makes her home in Canada. Wish I had her energy. Becky will always hold a very special place in my heart. We have spent many hours on the phone over the years and I probably know more of her secrets than any of the family. There has only been a short times in our lives that things have been strained between us.I always look forward to spending time with her. She was an early Christmas present the year she was born but my most treasured of all.


Merry Christmas to all and may God bless your time together the holiday season. Love Brenda




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