asked as she stood staring down at her mother.
Sandra didn’t respond immediately, but when she did, Leanne could hardly believe her ears when she said, “Look dear,-I liked the gifts, but I didn’t think I was somehow worthy of all those pretty, terribly expensive things that you all sent to me. This was why I thought I’d wait a while until I felt better about myself. Also, I wanted to keep the gifts as memories that I could fall back on at Christmas when I’m here all alone and you lot are all so far away.”
“Not worthy? Fall back on? I don’t believe I’m hearing this! Please mother, tell me you were only joking,” Leanne said.
“No, I wasn’t joking dear. I thought you’d all gone away and left me because I’m such an argumentative old bat, who has caused the family to endure endless hassles and family disagreements,” Sandra said as she began to cry again.
Taking her mother in her arms now, Leanne rocked her until she stopped sobbing. Then she said firmly, “Now mother, I’m taking you out to dinner and we’re going to celebrate the wonderful woman that you really are. We’re also going to make up for all the Christmases that we didn’t spend together.”
“Okay dear, that would be very nice. I’ll enjoy going out to dinner with you. But if I’m to live with you, when the re-shops open I really need to buy some new clothes. Up until now I’ve had no reason to buy any new clothing, or use the gifts. But I promise all that will change when I go back to Australia with you,” Sandra said, as she smiled widely.
“Sure mom, but after all this time, what’s suddenly made you change your mind?” Leanne asked.
Looking down, Sandra said, “A number of things, -Leanne. Firstly, I was too afraid to ask you if I could come and stay with you, since I’d previously made such a fuss about not moving away. But now, as all my friends have either moved away or died, I miss the company. Gosh, it’s going to be wonderful to spend Christmas with you and to soon make a fresh start, Leanne. It’s been ages since I went out and enjoyed myself or had any company over to have tea with.”
On Christmas morning after handing Sandra her plane ticket to Australia, together with a bottle of her favourite perfume, the two of them walked arm in arm happily down towards the river. Then sitting down on a large rock beside a deep pool, they dangled their feet in the cool water and splashed around. Playing once more at their old game to see who could make their splashes go the furthest. They enjoyed themselves and laughed and made all sorts of silly jokes, just as they’d done previously.
They were busy chatting away happily together, when Sandra suddenly stopped mid-sentence and said, “But how come you’d already purchased my plane ticket, Leanne? How did you know I’d agree to go along with your plans?”
“I guess I took a chance, mother. Or perhaps it was simply wishful thinking on my part,” Leanne lied, as she tactfully avoided mentioning her knowledge of the unused gifts, together with a few choice incidents involving Sandra, that her neighbours had all written complainingly to the family about, on several occasions in the recent past. -All incidents that would’ve given the family ample leverage to insist that Sandra accompany Leanne back to Oz.
Unaware of Leanne’s thoughts and grinning at her now, Sandra said, “So you really do want me to go back with you then?”
Rolling her eyes, Leanne replied, “Yes mother, -we all want you to come to Oz.”
Pausing for a moment, Sandra said, “It’s just as well that I made up my mind to go then, isn’t it dear? But I first need to establish a few ground rules before you all get too carried away. Firstly, we need to pack up this house and sell it. Then with the proceeds I want you to either buy or build separate quarters for me, at or near your home. You’ll thank me for this in the long run, Leanne.”
“Fine mother, as long as it makes you happy,” Leanne said, amazed at how easy this was all going and not quite certain why her mother was now being so co-operative all of a sudden.
Later that same evening, it dawned on Leanne, that Sandra was only being co-operative, because she was still afraid that she’d tell the family about the gift unwrapping episode. She knew she’d have to tell them something, so after giving the matter some thought, she finally called home to tell the family that their mother had finally agreed to come to Australia.
She carefully avoided any mention of the pile of re-wrapped presents and what their mother had said about them moving away and abandoning her. Instead she made up things they’d like to hear about. Then when they finally asked her how she’d managed to persuade Sandra to change her mind, she nonchalantly tongue in cheek said, “Well, I did nothing huge really, I promise. Amazingly enough she decided this all on her own. Come to think of it though, we did talk frankly about certain things and this might have influenced her decision. In other words, what I’m trying to say here is that Mumsy-mum and I have reached a private agreement, -in which I won’t tell as long as she agrees to come home with me without making a fuss.”
“Oh really and what’s all that supposed to mean?” Her brother David asked.
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing at all. And as mother and I have already shaken hands on the deal, -my lips are now sealed,” she said.
“Oh hell Leanne, I hope she hasn’t done anything illegal again, or perhaps said something terribly embarrassing in public to someone,” he said sheepishly, knowing full well the extent of his mother’s previous indiscretions, which they’d all had to smooth over from time to time.
“No, not the last time I checked. As far as I know she’s been behaving herself,” Leanne replied, as she crossed her fingers behind her back. Then after deciding to perhaps give him a little bit of hint as to what had really going on, she added, “I think we should plan a really huge celebration for mother’s homecoming, -a lovely big welcome to Oz party. Personally, I think we need to help her to make some new memories. Her old ones are becoming a little frayed around the edges and all crinkly.”
“I see, but what exactly did you have in mind, Leanne?” He asked.
“I thought a big party with plenty of food and lots of laughter would do the trick. And there also needs to be lots and lots of gifts for mother to unwrap. A huge, great big pile of gifts, all wrapped in bright paper or in fancy boxes with lots of ribbons and bows,” she replied cautiously.
“Yes Leanne, a huge pile of gifts would work well. I recall how much mother always enjoyed opening her presents for her birthday or at Christmas,” David said as he thought back to their childhood celebrations with their parents.
“You’re absolutely right on that account, David,” she replied, -while under her breath she added, “-more right than you could ever imagine. But that part of it shall remain a secret between mother and me.”
“What did you just say to David, Leanne?” Sandra suddenly asked, as she walked into the room.
“Oh nothing much, mother. Don’t worry, I was just telling him that you and I will be busy packing the house up for a while longer and that they should consider delaying the usual family New Year celebrations until late January, -as we intend to give you a big party to welcome you to Australia,” she said as she hugged her mother.
“That sounds wonderful, Leanne. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone again,” Sandra said, feeling glad that the gift re-opening episode was now hopefully behind both of them for good. But at the same time not quite knowing how she was going to cope with seeing so many people all at once, after being on her own for so many years.
Later, while Sandra was sitting on the swing out on the porch and thinking back over everything that had happened during the past few days, she got the happy feeling that she could now move on with her life and look forward to many new beginnings. She felt glad about this, especially since Leanne’s intrusion had allowed all of her present memories to escape from their box.
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Sandra's Christmas Memory Box Page 2