THE CHRISTMAS LETTER
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Those were the days when bra makers were not into the trials and tribulations of adolescent girls who were struggling to fit into the various cup molds and sizes. When we saw wrinkles stretching across our chests where we’d envisioned voluptuous breasts, we began stuffing cotton balls and even socks into our bras It was my grandmother who borrowed a few tricks from her tailor husband and came up with the idea of making tucks in our bras which we could let out as we grew. Now, where did she ever get that clever idea? That dear lady even took Jenna’s bras and did the same for her. We three women shared a secret that overcame the generation gap of that time and we didn’t even know that we had a generation gap. It really all began when Jenna brought over a new book her mother was reading and which she’d spirited out of the house. It’s title was Forever Amber, and she had avidly marked certain passages by inserting tattered pieces of paper as bookmarks. Both Jenna and I were so caught up in the steamy scene that we didn’t hear my grandmother’s footsteps outside the door. We jumped two feet into the air and came crashing down to earth when she asked , “Nah, vas ist?” “We’re studying. An English book. History.” I shouldn’t have been lying to my grandmother, but then it was the truth. It was about history. Weren’t we at the point about the Black Plague? And wasn’t it taking place in England? We certainly were studying the text. My, how we were studying that text. And me? Here I was already learning how to dissemble, and to my own grandmother.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Inspirational story about friendship "A friend is not a fellow who is taken in by sham; a friend is one who knows our faults and doesn’t give a damn." (Author Unknown) The letter came at Christmas with all the yearly bills and seasonal cards; but its message brought back memories of yesterday and years past. Memories of three friends who had supported her through adventures and trials and in supporting her had added to herself as a person. They had been from different cultural and social backgrounds, but somehow had stuck together and through that had become stronger. Now one of them was gone and it felt like a piece of herself had disappeared in the mists of time. It was a facet of her and she didn’t want to let it go. The passing of this one would affect all of them because they were all entwined together. Friendship was like a strand of yarn connecting friend to friend as it picked up some loose ends along the way.
About the Author
Elizabeth grew up in upstate New York. Her cultural background is German and Scottish. After New York had a freeze on hiring new teachers, she served in the U.S. Navy and later worked as a nurse educator. She now lives in the state of Washington close to her four children and nine grandchildren ranging in ages from 5 to 21. While in high school and college, she was always active in writing and drama. This story was written when she learned of the passing of one of her long-time friends which caused her to think back and remember her friends who shared her cultural identity and of one who helped her make the jump into our American society. It is dedicated to all of her friends that she encountered along the way and to all they contributed to her own unique identity.