Ladies Christmas Tea 2013 – Christmas Memories

I am sure that you, like me, have had the experience of smelling a fragrance that has evoked a memory so clear that through that scent you are transported back to another time. Perhaps from your youth or like me to a past Christmas. So it was with me nine years ago and then in the fall of this year.

Let me take you back Christmas 1974. Ron and I were living in Edinburgh, Scotland with our 4 year old son Stuart. My husband Ron was at University pursuing a degree in Pure Mathematics. I was working at Edinburgh University Medical School and Stuart went to the Nursery school run by the University . Money was very scarce and it was 2 weeks before Christmas. We lived in a ground floor flat in the equivalent of a brownstone. We were very lucky to rent it so inexpensively – that was because a black cat went with the flat and we had to take care of the crazy cat – which is another story!! Most of the time in the long dark winter months we would live in the eat in kitchen which was easier to heat that the spacious front room. The front room had a beautiful bay window and old oak furniture – the sideboard is now in our home and that is another story also.

It was Saturday afternoon and I took the money I had saved and told Ron I was going Christmas shopping. It was a cold and grey afternoon therefore I put on my midi length beige and brown flecked woolen coat, long brown boots and my fur hat that I had been given by my friend Ina. Off to catch the # 34 red double decker bus to the Goldenacre’s shops about three miles away. Ina worked beside me at the Anatomy department and we had discovered the little shops there on one of our excursions together during our lunch break – we had one and a half hours for lunch! As I traveled on the bus past St. Giles Cathedral the streets were dark with the wet soft drizzle which had been evident for days it seems. People were bustling about shopping, with bags full of groceries and gifts for Christmas. The Christmas lights were on and illuminated the wet dark streets. with multicored reflections. Onward through the streets of Edinburgh city and down Leith Walk heading towards the water of Leith. The streets were cobbled in this area and the bus bumped and rattled on its journey. I never sat on the long side seats as my legs always dangled and I felt self conscious when children half my age sat beside me and their feet touched the floor! The bus turned westward parallel with the water and we drove along many streets lined with grey stone tenements or apartments as we would say here.

We reached Goldenacre center with similar tenements which had small shops occupying the ground floor. Here I would do my shopping. The first stop was a small toy store with a selection to delight any child. No electric toys! Most ran on imagination not batteries. Because of this the games were always different each day. Stuart loved cars but also loved playing cowboys and indians in recess at his nursery school. I bought him a cowboy set with a hat, waist coat and a holster with two silver guns. Off to the confectioners store next door where I bought my mum a box of “Terry’s All Gold” chocolates, kind of like buying Godiva as opposed to Russell Stover. Also sweets for Stuart’s stocking, smarties, a licorice pipe, Jelly Babies, sweetie cigarettes, Rowantree wine gums and a small Cadbury’s Selection Box. My dad and Ron both loved to read so I had already purchased them a book on another lunch time trip with my friend Ina. Last stop was my favorite shop I had discovered with Ina. All sorts of unique gifts from around the world and some hand crafted. It smelled wonderful. That was my first experience with scented candles. I bought a small votive holder which was in smoke glass and it sat on a ring of dark brown wood. I chose a candle which was a pale brown with the most wonderful aroma. This was for Ina.

Approaching our flat I could see a glow from the bay window which would have usually been dark. As I walked up the path, Ron was standing at the window with Stuart, obviously on a chair, waving to me as I reached the door. Beside them was a small Christmas tree decorated with paper chains , snowflakes and multi colored lights. I went in and Ron had the fire on in the front room. Everything seemed so cozy. He had also been saving and bought lights and a little tree from the florist around the corner. Stuart and he had spent the afternoon making paper chains and snowflakes from Ron’s notebook paper. This was their surprise and gift for me. Before I went to bed that night I looked at that little tree and saw again the excitement in Stuart’s face as I had returned that evening.

Now back to that fragrance. Nine years ago at Christmas time, three months after I first met Cirkeline, Stuart brought her to Natick for Christmas. Stuart knew how much I loved soap so they brought me a complete round of a soap called Karma. It was the smell of the candle in Edinburgh. It was the smell of love. It was Patchouli. It was karma.

Now to the present time, it is about two weeks before Christmas. We think about the wise men, adoration, love, and gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These things were spoken of in the sermon two weeks ago. Mike spoke of how the wise men didn’t just get any gift, they probably thought about it and gave the babe gifts fit for a king. They thought about it. Gold for his journey, frankincense for healing and prayer and myrrh which foretold of a price that He would pay for us all.

It is 40 years ago since that Christmas and I can still recall the day vividly. It was tucked away in my heart until Stuart and Cirkeline brought it out again with the soap, that fragrance, those years ago.

In the fall I was spending a gift certificate and rediscovered the Karma soap and after hearing the sermon two weeks ago from Mike Roy I thought I would like to get you all a special gift. I have given you all a story of a special Christmas that had very little trimmings but had a lot of love – just like the first Christmas. I have cut you all a little piece of soap from a large piece to symbolize that we are all one in community with friends and family. On the bag when I bought the soap it said ‘Find peace with Patchouli” but I say “Find the Peace that passes all understanding, with Jesus”

Use this soap or put it in your lingerie drawer but when you catch it’s fragrance, stop for a moment.
Be still in this busy season and think of your most precious memories. Give thanks, say a prayer for those you love and may Peace be with you in this Holy season.