A Hand Carved Christmas

My grandfather Richard served in the Army almost a quarter of a century. He's traveled the globe experiencing a vast wealth of cultures aplenty and has fought and lived in Cambodia, Korea, Vietnam, Germany, Austria, Italy and France. In 1972 he retired in Mobile, Alabama with his wife Marlene and four children, including my mother, and that's been home ever since. 

Here he is ice fishing in North Korea.

It's funny how our memories have a way of coming back to us though, and how they just have to be let out in all kinds of ways. While Grandpa's been ro0ted in lower Alabama the past 37, the years he spent in foreign countries have trickled out in stories, pictures and even in carvings oftentimes created with just a pocketknife and splinter.

I've watch him carve ducks, birds, walking canes, and faces into pieces of driftwood from the Gulf. Upon my dear grandmother's request, he started carving Santa Clauses.

His Santas were influenced by Germany's Saint Nikolaus who left treats for children who placed their shoe or boot by the fireplace, the woodsman from southern Bavaria, and faces from all over the world carved into balsa and pine. 

Creativity is a common thread in my family. Growing up my mother sewed all of my sister and I's dresses. We still have stained glass ornaments that my dad made in addition to beautiful stained glass windows and etched pieces. My grandmother was also quite the seamstress, who sewed beautiful dolls and Christmas mouses for most of the family. My sister and aunt paint, my cousin acts, I write, and almost everyone in my family loves to prepare a fine meal. 

But Grandpa is the only one who whittles.

"Here comes Santa Claus, 

Here comes Santa Claus, 

Right down Santa Claus Lane, 

Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer 

Pullin' on the reins. 

Bells are ringin', children singin', 

All is merry and bright. 

So hang your stockings and say your prayers, 

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

 Here comes Santa Claus, 

Here comes Santa Claus, 

Right down Santa Claus Lane, 

He's got a bag that's filled with toys 

For boys and girls again. 

Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle, 

Oh what a beautiful sight, 

So jump in bed, and cover your head, 

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

Peace on earth will come to all, 

If we just follow the light, 

So let's give thanks to the Lord above 

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight, 

So let's give thanks to the Lord above 

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight."