Pearl Girls: 12 Pearls of Christmas: Perspective

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

12 Pearls of Christmas: Perspective

A Soggy, Jolly, Holly Christmas
by Melody Carlson

One of my most memorable Christmases started out as a natural disaster. But isn’t that a bit how a pearl is formed? An oyster’s soft easy life is disrupted by the invasion of sand, but something good comes out of it. When I was eight, we experienced the worst flood in recorded Oregon history. It was only a few days before Christmas when our streets became shallow rivers and the governor proclaimed a state of emergency. My sister and I assumed the flood was simply our new water-world playground and didn’t understand the seriousness of washed out bridges and downed power lines and submerged homes. But when we realized this flood was about to nix our usual three-hour trek to our grandparents’ home near the coast, we were not happy.

Naturally, our mom, a single parent, protested the sensibility of holiday travel (most of Oregon’s rivers were involved in the flood). But Christmas at Grandma’s house was our favorite event of the year. And thanks to our persistence, Mom finally gave in. We piled into the car and headed out. Flood waters climbed higher the closer we got to the coast. And at one point the road behind us was closed and the one ahead was flooded and about to be closed as well. The state policeman told us we could cross “at our own risk.” We followed a Volkswagen Bug into the water—then we actually watched the bug floating away! Of course, there was nothing to do besides plow on through the water, which appeared to be nearly two feet deep! Fortunately we had an old heavy Chevy that did not float away, but the water seeped in and pooled on the floors.

Fortunately, we made it safely to the grandparents. But once we arrived, we learned there would be no Christmas tree because the road to the woods was closed. Then my grandpa picked up his ax and led us outside where he chopped down his prize holly tree planted in the parking strip. I stared in horror, thinking Grandma was going to have a fit. But then he explained the city had told him to remove the tree for traffic visibility. So we had a twelve foot holly tree for Christmas. It was a little prickly decorating it, but with its shiny green leaves and red berries, it was the most beautiful tree ever! So what started out as a disaster turned out to be a soggy, holly, jolly Christmas after all.

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Melody Carlson, author of Limelight, Love Finds You in Sisters, The Christmas Dog, 86 Bloomberg Place, Diary of a Teenage Girl, The Carter House Girls, and much more... http://www.melodycarlson.com

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

Labels: 12 Pearls of Christmas

9 Comments:

At December 22, 2009 6:21 AM , Lauri said...: Oh my the pearls are beautiful. Love the story and glad you made it to your grandparents safely. Merry Christmas!!!
At December 22, 2009 11:29 AM , Jenn said...: Great story, glad it all worked out in the end :)
At December 22, 2009 1:20 PM , Anonymous said...: This series has been very timely and ministered to my heart more than I can every say. God certainly is still molding us...one day we will be as beautiful and pricesless as pearls.

Blessings, Suzyeeq
At December 22, 2009 1:39 PM , Kav said...: I got behind and have just caught up on about six pearl stories and I'm just tingling with the joy of reading them. Beautiful stories, wonderful lessons and a very special way to bring the Spirit into the season. Thank you all so much.
At December 22, 2009 6:43 PM , Stacie said...: Please count me in.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com
At December 22, 2009 10:58 PM , Tiesha G said...: What a great story. Most of my favorite holiday memories involve what seemed to be a disaster at some point!
At December 22, 2009 11:41 PM , Kyra said...: I am loving these stories. It is nice to sit back and read something with the holidays and beautiful. refreshing
At December 23, 2009 3:09 AM , baysidesue said...: Hi!!! I don't have any idea how I came upon your site, but I'm so happy I did!! I have a dear sweet 17 year old friend who comes and helps me around the house a few times a month. She was home-schooled along with her brother, and God used their parents to raise up a mighty family. Anyway, I'm getting off track here (not unusual for me :) He name is Grace, and her mother has called her "Pearl Girl" since the day she was born, because she is a precious gem. Can't wait for them to see your site!!!! Blessings! Suzanne
At December 25, 2009 12:38 PM , Emma said...: Happy holidays!the pearls are beautiful. Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.