Something old (Marnie, speak! Good girl.)

This past Christmas, I received a package in the mail with a small leather covered box.

Inside were a note and a gift that are so wonderful I wanted to share them. All typos are mine.

My darling Marnie,
John Lennon's "War is Over” Christmas song is on my mind. Here’s a story about my Mother and Daddy.

Sometime in 1942 my Daddy gave a diplomat pal some money as he was leaving for Mexico. My Daddy worked for the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. at the time and the diplomat was heading for Mexico on an official visit. Daddy requested "something beautiful for me to give to Gerry for her birthday" and handed him some cash.

So, the diplomat carried back from Mexico, in his diplomat's pouch, a box for my Daddy. It contained a necklace and earrings that my Mother wore all her life and I've worn quite a few times myself.

My parents went dancing every chance they got throughout their married life. Well, the Christmas after that August birthday, they went to a Diplomats’ Ball for some wartime charity. My Mother was pretty big and fat (Daddy liked her that way), but very light on her feet, and was frequently the belle of the ball with everyone who was anyone dancing with her. It was a formal affair and she wore her "gilleys" with her long gown. She also wore the lovely jade jewelry from Mexico, and danced all night long. There was a line of tuxes waiting to sign her dance card all evening, with my Daddy only getting an occasional dance. She eventually admitted to being pretty well worn out and collapsed on a deep sofa and sat there and "received" for quite some time with one diplomat bringing her one cuba libre after another.

This admirer, after plying her with mucho rum, begged a dance. So, Mother put her hand in his, and he raised her off of the sofa...into his arms...and straight onto the floor! They say it took four diplomats to carry her to the car, and nobody ever let my Daddy hear the last of it. Much giggling all ‘round ever after when rum came into a conversation.

Mother didn't remember what happened; when she like to tell the story, she'd say "Well, I was enjoying a lovely rum drink, and accepted an offer of a dance, then was flat on my face, and woke up in bed!"

I can see the sly grin on his face even now, as Daddy admitted that he was proud of her; after all, she WAS the best dancer at the ball.

So, Marnlette, here is that set of jewelry. It's not stylish these days, and I've left it tarnished. I've not worn it in quite some time. It used to polish up quite nicely, so I thought I'd leave that Joy for you to do. And, not to worry, it shall tarnish nicely again… it always has.

I can't think of anyone I know who I'd rather have it. I know you'll get as many giggles out of it as have I…and my parents, too! Wear It once, then maybe it would be of some use for you to show with your delightful knitted creations. It's OK if it lives mostly in a jewelry box since it's quite used to that.

My Mother would have loved you to pieces, and would have asked me to pass on to you what she always called her "best dress-up gift" from my Daddy...for Christmas this year.

"...and soooo it is Christmas" and her war IS over.

Love, hugs, kisses,
Janet
Christmas 2010

So this is Xmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Xmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Xmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Xmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Xmas
And what have we done
Another year over
A new one just begun
And so happy Xmas
We hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over, if you want it
War is over now

Happy Xmas

Comments (14)

Merryanne:

Beautiful! Simply beautiful.

Posted by Merryanne | January 14, 2011 10:14 AM

Posted on January 14, 2011 10:14

Brenda:

That was wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing it. And I love the necklace. I would knit a green sweater just for a chance to wear it with the necklace....

Posted by Brenda | January 11, 2011 7:22 PM

Posted on January 11, 2011 19:22

Kerry:

What a beautiful gift and story. Thanks for sharing :)

Posted by Kerry | January 10, 2011 9:57 AM

Posted on January 10, 2011 09:57

KarenJ:

Marnie - What a lovely gift! Wear it in good health!

Posted by KarenJ | January 10, 2011 5:50 AM

Posted on January 10, 2011 05:50

Amy:

That's just so beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

Posted by Amy | January 10, 2011 4:22 AM

Posted on January 10, 2011 04:22

Breean E. Miller:

What a beautiful story and a lovely treasure to have. That John Lennon song is my favorite holiday song and makes me happy and sad all at the same time. Happy new year!

Posted by Breean E. Miller | January 9, 2011 7:43 PM

Posted on January 9, 2011 19:43

Emma:

Wow.

What an incredibly precious gift to give to another.

And, a great story.

Posted by Emma | January 9, 2011 5:16 PM

Posted on January 9, 2011 17:16

Freyalyn:

It looks fabulous on you! What a beautiful story.

Posted by Freyalyn | January 9, 2011 7:36 AM

Posted on January 9, 2011 07:36

Roxie:

Something precious enough to travel in a diplomatic pouch is quite the treasure. How wonderful to know the jewelry's now worn by another woman who's graceful on the dance floor. Just beware the cuba libres.

Posted by Roxie | January 9, 2011 7:31 AM

Posted on January 9, 2011 07:31

irene:

love. xo

Posted by irene | January 8, 2011 9:48 PM

Posted on January 8, 2011 21:48

fran:

lovely story. Thank you for sharing that.

Posted by fran | January 8, 2011 7:29 PM

Posted on January 8, 2011 19:29

June:

What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing that with us.