Christmas Letter from Aunt Grace

 One of my fondest memories of Christmas was when my father showed us the lovely Christmas card and the enclosed letter written by his sister Grace. By then my two sisters and I were good in English having been attending an English medium primary school.

I can still remember some of her salient points in the precious letter now. Aunt Grace studied in the USA and came home to be Dean of Methodist Secondary School in 1958 and Grandfather was most proud of her. However after two years, Aunt Grace decided to return to the US to continue her studies.

My father must have felt bad seeing her leaving the country, her being the youngest sister from the same mother. But he never said anything on that matter.

That year, we received a Christmas card from her, bearing nice American stamps. My father received the card at home when the postman dropped the letter at our doorstep!! In those days postmen cycled with their brown bag over their shoulders and called out to the households if there was mail to be delivered. They were not at all scared of dogs in our neighbourhood.

What was very touching was the fact that my father was obviously moved by her well chosen words. My father was a quiet man who was not expressive. He quietly indicated to us through his sighing and his hand movements how he appreciated his sister's card and letter. The letter was placed in his office desk drawer and the card was placed on the living room table, where there was a small collection of christmas cards. We had not yet bought a Christmas tree.

Each Christmas she would send a card and a letter to my father, her eldest brother. When my father passed away in 1965, all the cards and letters stopped. I missed receiving cards and letters from my father's family members. It was like we were forgotten.

In that special letter she wished for "presents" for the family under the Christmas tree.

She had written from Missouri and wished for all the good things for the family, because she could not send real presents across the Pacific Ocean...

I paraphrase what she wrote (from memory)

...do open all those boxes I wish for you ....they are under the Christmas tree.... A box of Joy, A box of Peace, A box of Harmony, A box of Family Unity, A box of Grace, A box of Wisdom, A box of Smiles, A box of Give and Take, A box of Kindness, A box of Good Cheer, A Box of Good Health, a Box of Faith, A box of Love and a Box of Hope.

Happy Boxing Day..open up all these boxes..

May she rest in peace.