I guess I was maybe 6 or 7 – and it was the morning of Christmas.

I had been bad – so bad that I was told –

Santa knew I was naughty!

That previous Summer – I had run from my mother in the backyard.

I do not remember what I had done –

but my older sister and my grand mother

were watching me from the front porch – looking over the side railing.

My mother and grandmother were a lot alike.

Both small – grandma gentle with 11 children.

Mom had her gentleness but she was feisty!

She ruled the house!

Grandma passed when she was 85 – mom almost 98!

That day she chased me in the yard – I made it to the front porch

and I crawled in as far as I could go – spider webs and all!

I hated spiders and still do to this day.

She managed to coax me out – but I got a licking from her.

As I get older – I look back in fondness at those times.

My mom was very good to me –

That morning of Christmas – all my family was sitting in the living room.

And for my first present they handed me a wrapped box-

all red and white with a ribbon.

I was excited – my little brother was maybe 2 years old

I took the ribbon off and then the wrapping paper.

It was like a shoe box and I could rattle it by shaking it!

I opened the lid and looked inside –

I did not say anything – but I bolted for the door –

No shoes or boots and out I went in my PJ’S!

Down the side yard – I ran as fast as I could –

Through the snow toward the big red barn.

And I reached the railroad tracks –

And with all my might I threw that box as far as I could.

That was the Christmas for being bad –

I GOT A LUMP OF COAL AND A PIGS TAIL!

Funny how things remain in your head –

I had learned my lesson

My mom taught me well – until she passed- we laughed about this.

She was tiny – she was gentle – she was my mom.

And today my angel in heaven smiling down.

She couldn’t catch me – but in the end

She taught me a lesson in life that I will always remember!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

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