It was a Saturday afternoon where I was learning how to bake
persimmon cookies. And not just any
persimmon cookies but Grandma Mary’s recipe.
She was eager to teach and I was amazed at how she never had to measure
anything.
This was my first Christmas away from my family but Grandma
Mary had a way of making her farm feel like home. While we waited for the cookies to bake we
shared stories of Christmas’ past. Her
favorite Christmas story is one I shall never forget.
There was an extra box left under the tree and Mervin agreed
that Grandma Mary should open it up. She
knew immediately the present was for her and didn’t waste time tearing off the
wrapping to see what was inside. As she
opened the lid to an old shoe box there inside was a pair of tap shoes. Not just any tap shoes.
Mervin had taken a pair of Mary’s shoes and added taps to
the bottom. The shoes were painted John
Deere green complete with yellow laces.
Why John Deere green tap shoes you may wonder?
Apparently Mary had mentioned she would like to tap
dance. It became a standing joke with
the family. And what other color should
a farmer’s wife tap shoes be but John Deere green.
Mervin paid attention and gave Grandma Mary a gift that
would make her smile for years to come.
After the last batch of cookies were out of the oven, Mary
had a surprise for me. She asked that go
in her closet and pull out the shoe box on the top shelf. I immediately wondered if Grandma Mary had
saved those tap shoes. We opened the box
together and there they were – John Deere tap shoes.
I couldn’t believe she still had them. Mervin had passed away ten years ago but that didn’t matter. Those shoes were a reminder of him and his thoughtfulness to her. Grandma Mary confessed that the tap shoes had always been one of her favorite gifts.
Not long after Christmas Grandma Mary had to start dialysis
and eventually went into the nursing home.
We joked about her getting well so she could put on her John Deere tap
shoes. Each time I mentioned the tap
shoes she would smile regardless of how bad she felt. Grandma Mary never did get to tap dance again
but I am confident she and Mervin are tapping together this Christmas.