Christmas dinner with Aunt Cecilia

Sara was not left alone for Christmas until that year that mama got the flu. She had to rest in bed some place away from Sara, at Grandpa's villa in Switzerland for a few weeks or months...

Sara was to be cared for quite nicely by aunt Cecilia. Aunt Cecilia was mama's sister and close to her in age. Christmas was already seen in window shops, store shelves, and department store parlors quite extravagantly as usual. Sara was in no hurry to get anything in particular for Christmas and she wasn't particularly happy either. Mama was very good at keeping her promises and always tried to get Sara something imaginative, wrapped with lots of care and patience which in her case meant lots of colorful papers, bows, and bells. Mama started coughing a lot and went to bed early every evening until she felt ill and couldn't even get out of bed. Years ago, Sara's papa left and mama took a lover for a short while. Sara was on her mind a lot and it eventually interfered with mama's social life.

Her lover was a young pilot from Switzerland and perhaps was glad now that mama was going back there. Sara thought mama was only going to rest away from cold and rain. Always cheerful, mama was brought up on a small coastal village near Normandy and never offered much about her childhood. Grandpa was papa's father and offered to mama the key to his old villa. Something mama gladly accepted.

Aunt Cecilia was polite and intelligent which meant Sara could get all the help she needed at school. Sara herself learned how to cook and mama had shown her how to bake.

The thought of mama going away appeared sad to her friends and classmates at school. Earlier that day, between French and Math lessons, Patricia asked how Sara was handling her mama's going away plans. Sara nodded with boredom and asked Patricia if she liked to come to tea.

That afternoon and many other afternoons past until mama finally packed all her beautiful and feathery light clothes, hats, and sandals. Sara sat at the edge of mama's bed watching her pack.

Mama smiled at her and called her petite bebe like she always did when Sara was a baby.

Will I ever see you again? asked Sara.

Why? What makes us ask?

You are going to stay at grandpa's villa with Jacque and that is all right with me. Rest, mama! I won't tell.

Before mama could answer or even gather her thoughts to find the right answer, Sara stormed out of the bedroom down the stairs of their flat and hopped into the car with her driver and her two play mates in it.

Mama kissed her good bye and left.

Aunt Cecilia was patient and kind. She reminded Sara to brush her teeth and dress nicely. Every thing else was done by maids.

That year, Christmas was fun filled and care free. Songs were heard. Much shopping was done. Gifts were wrapped and tucked away in secret spots.

On her birthday

This week was creative and fun! Carefully selected flower fairy dolls of various petite sizes were ordered for little Sara. She was turning 9 that year and loved the idea of having a party in her mother's living room. She helped her to arrange floral bouquets. In a house that resembled a little doll house in all its entity, Sara lived alone with her mom. Life was good. Sara had very long brown curly hair dangling below her waist. It made her quite pretty; though she never considered herself attractive in any way. She always thought she looked rather pretty and presentable in high fashion which made her mom come up with creative ideas to spend a reasonable amount of money. Her dad was away and separated from her mother. Sara never quite understood why it mattered anyway. She had no memories of him and he made arrangements not to come back. That particular morning, her mama woke her up. Sara was rather enchanted that mama would present her with a present and a birthday wish as early as possible like all other years. She was rather eager to receive her dolls in enchanting and colorful paper boxes, delicately wrapped and tied up in ribbons...

That particular day was cold in the morning. Sara went to school as usual. After school, it rained. She got wet on the way home and saw no presents or sights of birthday recognition.

Her hair was dripping with rain drops and her feet were cold. Suddenly, she saw Grandma's old dog, Victoria. Victoria jumped up and down and wagged her tail excitedly when Sara dropped to her knees and hugged her Grandma's dog.

Is Grandma here? She asked.

Suddenly walking into the living room, she felt like she was in dream. She walked into an incredible scene. Grandma was sitting in the middle of the room, along with aunts, uncle Bernard, and all of her friends and classmates from the neighborhood and school...

Her friends were dressed in butterfly, and flower fairy dresses, gowns, wings, and beautiful hair wigs done up in pretty decorative fashion. Some more guests arrived little by little.

Sara ran up the stairs to fetch a clean towel and dry her hair while she quickly put on a party gown. Mama was hidden deeply in the kitchen making marvelous biscuits, and buns.

Aunt Sweeney followed her up the stairs and joined her in her small room. Her wall paper was charming and added a light touch.

Aunt Sweeney lived afar and it was a real treat to see her. Sara expressed her gratitude and told her that she had already had the best birthday ever.

Oh, why! Thank you dear. You are a sweet girl. Come, come... We must help you to get ready for your party! Aunt Sweeney said.

Dear aunt helped Sara put on a satin blue gown with cream lace trimmings and tied up her waist with a blue satin belt and large ribbon.

It was impossible to brush Sara's hair. Mama would testify to that.

Aunt Sweeney dressed Sara's hair in tiny bows and rushed her down the stairs.

In the room, there was laughter, talks, and compliments. Very many best wishes were made in piles of boxes, lavishly wrapped in beautiful paper and ribbons. Many cards were piled on the powder room table.

Sara was thrilled to be dining with everyone and after dinner, candles were stuffed into delicious fruit filled buns, sprinkled with sugared candies.

After singing, Sara went deeply into a thought that if every year could be as magical as this, it would surely be wonderful, but as life has given her many great lessons, good times pass and memories ought to be built for later days, weeks, months, and years to come.

THE END