A Christmas Memory
Written by Loraite (Rossman) Teays

1980

    Once upon a time, way back in 1931, I was a young girl of 14 years. Christmas was nearing, and we had been very busy getting ready for a double celebration. My oldest sister Maudie decided to get married on December 25th to L.D. Riley, her fiancé. You can imagine the many preparations to be made. Maudie planned to be married in my mother's wedding gown, so there were alterations to be done and shopping for the Honeymoon clothes and also the Maid of Honor and bridesmaid’s gowns. An older sister of mine was to be Maid of Honor and my cousin Loraite and I were bridesmaids. My youngest sister was to be ring bearer. She was 4 years old.

     1931 was in "Depression Days", so it would be a lovely home wedding, semi-formal. Early in November, my 2 older sisters, my mother, and I went to Flint to shop for wedding finery. The bride chose a bright red dress, for going away. The Maid of Honor chose a street length pretty wine-colored dress for the wedding. My cousin's dress was to be navy blue silk, just as mine was. They were all silk in those days. It just so happened that I needed a new winter coat, so Mama bought me a lovely royal blue coat, trimmed with Astrican wool grey. She also bought me a royal blue Eugenie hat. I never felt so dressed up in my life and was so proud of my new outfit.

     Finally Christmas Eve arrived and we had our family gift exchange then, rather than Christmas Morn as always. The young children had to go upstairs and amuse themselves while Santa arrived early in the evening. They even heard the sleigh-bells on the roof as he was leaving.

     We had a lovely time and everyone loved their gifts, especially our youngest 4 year old sister Shirley who received a large "Mama Doll."

     Well early to bed and early to get up the next morning. There was to be about 75 guests for the afternoon wedding. A couple of neighbors had been helping us to prepare food for the wedding dinner for several days, but there were a lot of last minute details to attend to.

    Mother had created a lovely altar in one corner of the sitting room and decorated with Evergreen and our own Chrysanthemums. The bride chose Cala Lilies for her wedding bouquet and mother even made an artificial white satin Lily with long center stamens for Shirley to carry the ring on. Her dress was old-fashioned white silk, similar to the brides.

     Just before the guests began to arrive, we had placed folding chairs in the sitting room parlor and large dining room chairs for all the guests. We pulled all the shades and lit many candles all around the three rooms. It was a lovely ceremony and after Shirley presented the ring, she went to sit on mother's lap with her new Mama Doll. Just as the minister said, "I now pronounce you man and Wife," Shirley let her doll fall over and very loudly it said, "Ma-ma". One of our cousins quickly said, "What, already?" Everyone just roared. What an ending to a lovely ceremony! Our whole family has had many chuckles about the happening ever since.

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