Tuesday, December 4, 2012

You Know What They Say About Small Packages


Packing two overtired kids and a trunk load of presents into the car, my parents made the rounds to our grandmothers’ houses every Christmas Eve. The car radio set to a station that chronicled Santa’s journey giving updates as to his current whereabouts.

Our first stop was perennially the “old” Lithuanian neighborhood to drop off gifts for my great grandma and great aunts. Shortly after, we'd be turning right at the Baby Doll Polka Club just behind Midway Airport and our car would glide to the curb in front of Grandma Genny's house in Chicago. 

The big picture window framed her slight body, which was aglow in lights as she hung ornaments on her tree by herself. As a child, I always wondered why grandma never spent Christmas Eve with her mother and unmarried sisters.

Obligatory hugs and kisses traded, my brother and I sat expectantly on her plastic covered couch to patiently wait for “present time”. Once the grown ups settled into living room chairs with their beverages, our job was to distribute boxes as excitement bubbled over. 

Grandma Genny gave the best gifts. Covered with sparkling foil paper and candy, a fun toy or game from Woolworths was always inside. She didn’t have much but she gave thoughtfully.

Seeing my name on a box I thought was far too small, my nine year old heart sank. Eyes immediately shifting to my brother’s gift, gigantic in my opinion, sizing it up against mine. 

My tear-rimmed eyes found Grandma Genny’s and she patted the seat next to her on the couch.

“Good things come in smaller packages.” She whispered in my ear.

It's hard to believe that when you're nine.

“What order should we open presents this year, Grandma?” asked my brother.

“Why don’t we go youngest to oldest? Jimmy, you go first.” Grandma squeezed my hand.

Like a Tasmanian devil, my brother tore threw his larger than life package ripping heavy gauge tape to get inside. Screaming with joy, he spilled out 1,000 green army men and a plastic camouflaged tank from a nondescript box.

I looked to Grandma for reassurance, “Your turn, honey.”

Slowly unwrapping her gift, my eyes became saucers as I unveiled a white transistor radio for my bedroom. Ecstatic, I threw my arms around my Grandma Genny’s neck in thanks.

She was perfectly right. My small gift was far better to me than any big box of plastic soldiers. My brother was lining up army men and attacking them with pillows while she helped me tune into Santa’s journey.

The following year, as was tradition, my parents packed up for the same road trip around Chicagoland. This time, as my brother opened his extremely large box, I smiled knowingly at Grandma Genny.

My brother received a case of his favorite black olives.

And I opened a beautiful jewelry box.

Never again did I contemplate or compare the size of a present. I learned to trust the giver.

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful granny.

But why didn't she spend Christmas with her mum?

Unknown said...

What a special lady! She obviously put a lot of effort into finding gifts that were perfect for you and your brother.

Gina said...

She was special in her own way and because she was on limited funds, she chose carefully. She just knew what to get us and we loved them all. I now have most of those old ornaments she was hanging all those years ago.

Barb said...

I think the best think she taught you was not to compare yourself (or your things) with others. What a great story. And as a fellow Chicagoan I had to smile at the mention of the Baby Doll Polka Club.

Anonymous said...

I love that last line about learning to trust the giver. Such a great lesson to learn. And what a sweet grandma you had! :)

Cindy ~ The Reedster Speaks said...

OH man, I loved my transistor radio - walking down the street, holding it to my ear, blasting The Jackson 5 "ABC".

Christie said...

Ahhhhhh. So sweet. I adore this piece. Where is the Lithuanian neighborhood?

Gina said...

She was different. Not warm and fuzzy like my Italian grandma. She spent Christmas Day with them but not Christmas Eve. Maybe she didn't want to drive there at night or just decorate her own tree. I need to ask my dad.

Gina said...

Exactly. She was a woman of few words and her lessons had real impact on my life. She wasn't perfect, though, and neither am I. Every time I hear weather and traffic on an AM station and they say "And the temperature at The Baby Doll Polka Club is..." (the location being Midway Airport as YOU know) I think of my grandma. I put that in hoping someone would pick up on it! Thanks, Bee for knowing that and enjoying this story!

Gina said...

Thanks! Me, too. Man...it's so important to know and then teach your children. It's always reminded me to think about the spirit in which a gift is given as opposed to what it actually is. She was sweet.

www.icescreammama.com said...

a case of black olives???? you were definitely the favorite. :)

Gina said...

I totally loved that thing for YEARS. Batteries? Oh, yeah!!! We were hittin' up the sidewalks then!!!! And of course, The Jackson 5 were playing.

Gina said...

Thanks, Christie! Cicero way back was divided into two main ethnic backgrounds. One was Italian and thought to be lower class. The other was Lithuanian who believed they were rungs above the Italians. However, they shared a 'hood. My dad's dad (Italian) secretly eloped with Grandma Genny. My mom's dad (Lithuanian) married my pasta making Grandma Theresa. Therefore, I'm split down the middle!

Gina said...

Noooo! My brother was so thrilled. He was a food hound and LOVED black olives. It was so clever of her. He immediately opened a can, put them on his fingertips waving them around, then ate them off one by one.

Kirsten Oliphant said...

I had a similar (though not in size lesson) on this expectation and too-early disappointment when I cried that I didn't get a bike one year for Christmas when all my neighbors were out riding their new Christmas bikes in the cul-de-sac. I looked like a total spoiled brat when my grandparents showed up with the bike in the back of the station wagon. Doh! I think I've learned to kind of be patient, wait, and be glad for what I get. The worst though is the packages that look like one thing but aren't. Like when my aunt sent me a great box of giant makeup stuff when I was 13 and just starting to be into that--and inside was a stuffed animal. ARGH!

Lisha Fink said...

I hope someday my grandchildren will feel that way about me, that I gave thoughtfully.

Great story. And Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Samantha Brinn Merel said...

What a cool lady your Grandma was. So nice that you have this story to remind you of her every Christmas.

Gina said...

Awwwwww!!! What a story! I'm patient with presents too (learned that way back). Often my whole family will be like "mom! Open something." I'd much rather watch them. I'm guilty of wrapping things for the kids that look like something else. I've put bricks in light boxes to fool them. But I've done it to surprise them with good things not a makeup box bait and switch. :-(

Gina said...

I bet they will. It just takes some thought. My brother LOVED his case of olives.

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well, Lisha. Thank you for visiting and leaving a thoughtful comment.

Gina said...

She was cool in someways and very distant in others. However, she gave "good" gift! When I open any small present, I often think of her. They are still my favorite.

Anonymous said...

Reminds me of my younger days, only I went from NY to Connecticut. My grandmother was senile so I used to get fake money. Not quite the gems you've gotten, what wonderful memories!

RFL said...

Beautiful post, and a great lesson. Grandma's are so wise.

Gina said...

Thanks, Julie. Fake money is kind of funny...now. Back then, not so much!

Gina said...

Thank you RFL. I hope I've imparted some of this on my children (one I'm sure I have...the other, eh!) Grandmas have a lot of life experience under their belts.

Larks said...

"Trust the giver." What a lovely philosophy. And what an awesome grandma you had!

Stacie @ Snaps and Bits said...

Wonderful story! Good things do come in small packages!

lumdog2012 said...

Gina, this is a lovely Christmas story. I choked up a little. Beautifully written as well!

Gina said...

I like that philosophy too for many, many things! Thanks Larks!

Gina said...

Thanks, Stacie. They sure do and they don't even need to be jewelry!

Gina said...

Thanks, lumdog. It is very sentimental for me as well. When I see a small gift with my name on it, I'm happy. Though I not much of a present person to begin with. Thanks for your lovely comment.

Unknown said...

Gina, You have such endearing family stories. Bless you. <3 FYI: As I know you are a fellow booklover, I wanted to let you know I am doing a funny females book give-away. Details here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/notappropriate4
I am also raving about Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn right now, which I just started reading and fell immediately in love with. Have a wonderful holiday season, my friend!

Gina said...

Thanks, Angela. I am sure mixed in with the endearing ones, I can find some lesser so...especially if they have to do with my current in-law situation. I will come over and see you on facebook!

I read Gone Girl a bit ago. I really, really liked it. I'd love your feedback once you're finished with it.

AND I hope your holiday season proceeds in spectacular fashion. Shortly, I will be incommunicado so I'm wishing you this now!!!

Robbie said...

I really, truly love this. It made me think of my Gran. She had very, very limited budget but would give me a can of my favorite black olives or knit me some slippers. This is so well told.

THE SARCASM GODDESS said...

Such a beautiful story! I get underwear from my grandmother. I suppose I should trust that I need them. :)

Ginny Marie said...

This is such a beautiful memory, and a great Christmas post! I just love your storytelling.

Kathleen said...

I love Grandma Genny, her plastic-covered couch and the lesson she taught you. Such a sweet story!

P.S. You had me at the Baby Doll Polka Club reference, Chicago girl.

Gina said...

Thank you so much Robbie. My Grandma didn't have much either but we sure didn't know it or realize it at the time. My brother was thrilled with those olives. It's the spirit and love with which something is given. Reminds me of my fav gifts and cards from my kids!

Gina said...

When someone gets underwear, I always sign the gift tag "Board of Health" especially for my son and hubby's boxers. Anyone can always use new undies, I think! Trust in it!!!

Gina said...

Ginny, you are so kind to me. When I start thinking about memories and people, these little stories bubble up. They may not mean much to anyone else but they've been important little/big things in my life that shaped who I am and what I strive to teach my kids.

Gina said...

Thanks, Kathleen. She showed her love in a different way than my huggy and squeezey Grandma Theresa. But I knew she loved me.

How 'bout it! Gotta get a few of those in my Chi-town girls!!! When you hear the weather and they mention about BDPC, she lived two blocks behind it. You could really hear the planes.

DEZMOND said...

what a lovely Christmas story, Gina!

IASoupMama said...

Awesome story! And your grandmother sounds like she knew her grandkids very well.

William Dameron said...

I had three brothers and we constantly compared everything, our food portions, our allowance, our presents. We always thought it was about the size, but then again, we were boys :D

Wonderful story Gina!

Gina said...

Thanks, Dez!

Gina said...

You know, she did know us well in her quiet way. Thanks for liking this IASoup!

Gina said...

You crack me up!!!!

Thanks, Bill!

TMWHickman said...

I think that you should take thesr beautiful family stories and put them in a book, maybe with some photos. They are such treasures!

Azara said...

Beautiful ending. I still remember NOT getting a radio for Christmas when I was 11 or 12, and how disappointed I was. What was with the older generation and plastic-covered couches? Does anyone do that anymore?

Gina said...

They are wonderful memories. I'm in the process of really drilling my dad about his family (Grandma Genny and my dad's fathers families) because there are some missing links there that I'd like to have documented before too long.

Gina said...

Thanks, Azara! I actually saw one recently. My neighbor across the street moved her parents out of their home for assisted living (they're like 90 or something) and she brought home one of their chairs. Cool chair but form fitted in plastic. They wanted the furniture to last I guess but very uncomfortable.

Kenya G. Johnson said...

Awww how sweet!

Dawn Beronilla said...

What a sweet story!
I love how you remembered the gifts from Woolworths! Oh wow, that used to be my favorite place to go with my Mama as a treat.
Thanks for sharing your sweet memories with us!

Gina said...

Thanks!!!

Gina said...

It was a treat to walk there with my Grandma. Thanks for visiting, Dawn!