I write and speak for a living, but I still like writing just for fun. So when I heard about a local Christmas
writing contest I thought I’d stretch my creative muscles and give it a shot.
My story won 2nd place! While I enjoyed the chance to write about something
outside of the norm, God chose to use that time to remind me of a Christmas memory I truly cherish. I hope this story blesses your heart, slows your
pace, and helps you to embrace a little of your own history.
Blessings to you!
Jennifer
I stood wide-eyed in front of
the Christmas tree. It towered over my seven year old frame and twinkled like a
thousand tiny stars. Handmade ornaments and bright shiny balls adorned the tree
but my attention was fixed on what lay beneath it - Christmas presents.
It was a tradition in my
family to open our presents on Christmas Eve. In hind sight, I'm sure it was a
solution my parents came up with to avoid an over-booked Christmas Day. Four
kids, two sets of grandparents on opposite sides of town, and tons of presents
is a lot to stuff into one day. But none of that mattered to me. I was the envy
of all my friends because I didn't have to wait until Christmas morning.
“Dinner time!” my mom called
as she walked through the house beckoning everyone to come to the kitchen. My
heart sank. It was time for stew.
Every year my mom made oyster
stew for Christmas Eve dinner. The stew was a favorite of my dad's parents.
Coming from the cold winter of Illinois, Grammie would make it each year before
my parents were married. So Mom continued their tradition now that they spent each
Christmas with us in Texas. It was the only obstacle standing between me and
brightly wrapped bliss.
I walked to the stove and
peeked into the large black roasting pot. Canned oysters floating in a pond of
milk and melted butter...yuck! All of the kids hated it. Pulverizing Saltine
crackers into our bowl to thicken the soup was the only way to make the meal
palatable.
We gathered around the table
as Dad said grace. Then all of the kids slumped down into their seats and the
complaining began.
“Do we have to eat this?”
“This is gross. Can I have peanut
butter and jelly instead?”
“Why do we have to have this
every year?”
My grandparents never said a
word. I was too young to notice that our lack of subtlety was hurtful to them.
We didn’t want any part of their much loved tradition and had no reservations
about sharing our disdain. One look from Mom told us to stop talking and eat.
Resigned to the fact that I had to eat the stew, I reluctantly drowned my
crackers in the milky broth and looked forward to the presents ahead.
By the next year, Grammie had
passed away and Mom had grown tired of the endless complaining about the oyster
stew. She decided to incorporate a family favorite into the menu - pizza. The
smell of the pepperoni pizza cooking in the oven whipped us kids into frenzy.
Not only did we get to open presents on Christmas Eve, we didn't have to eat
the stew! In the midst of my excitement, I failed to notice that Grandpa ate
the stew in silence, longing to spend just one more Christmas with his true
love.
Our unique tradition always
remained the same. We ate pizza and oyster stew and then exchanged gifts. As I
got older, I finally realized the stew wasn’t important to Grandpa, the
memories were. Instead of racing through my meal and running to the Christmas tree
to distribute presents, I lingered at the dinner table and listened to
Grandpa’s stories of Christmas’ past. We were not just choking down milky
oysters, we were revisiting days gone by. Only then did I learn that Grandpa’s
mother used to make the stew when he was a boy and Grammie never cared for it
either. But she loved him and that was a small way to show that love. The small
piece of their history had become precious to me.
The Christmas after Grandpa
passed away we decided to try a new recipe for the traditional oyster stew. The
Golden Oyster Stew recipe included potato soup, onions, mushrooms and even
bacon! The new flavors blended beautifully with the oysters creating a rich and
hearty chowder. Topped with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese, it was heavenly!
The Golden Oyster Stew became
the new version of the old classic. Now everyone enjoys the pizza and a bowl of
stew together. My parents, siblings, children, nieces and nephews all gather
together on Christmas Eve. Our ‘have to’ has become a ‘want to' as a little
piece of my grandparents' legacy lives on through our Christmas Eve stew.
Golden Oyster Stew
3 bacon strips
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 cups skim milk
1 can (10.5 oz.) condensed cream of potato soup
1 1/2 cups low fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 can (12 oz.) oysters, drained
1 jar (2oz.) pimentos, drained
1/4 tsp. bottled hot pepper sauce (I use more)
Brown
bacon in pot: remove most of the grease. Crumble bacon: add onion and
celery and cook, stirring constantly. 1 minute or until tender.
Combine
flour, salt, and pepper. Add to vegetable mixture, stirring well; cook
1 minute. Gradually add milk, stirring until smooth; cook, stirring
often, until mixture starts to thicken.
Add
soup and cheese, stirring until cheese melts. Add oysters, pimentos
and hot sauce; continue cooking over medium heat, stirring often, until
oysters begin to curl. (About 5-10 minutes) Serve immediately. Serve
with a crusty French bread, if desired. Serves 6.