Dear Downhome...I am submitting this in memory of my mother Ms. Melba Oake(nee Foster) Mom was born and raised in LaScie, Newfoundland. Sadly, after a 4 year battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis she passed away this past September. She was a great and giving woman with a big heart and beautiful smile who was loved by all she met.She had a love of reading and especially Downhome which she read from cover to cover. She was delighted to see photos of her grandchildren this past summer. In helping sort through my mother's belonging I came across several copies of a handwritten story by my mother, simply titled "Memories". My step-father, Harry Oake remembers it was a story she had written last Christmas as an entry to either your magazine or a local paper. Knowing her love of your magazine I believe this was her intent. I am therefore submitting it on her behalf and in honour of her memory and as a gift to her family, the Budgells Fosters, and Oakes. This will be our first Christmas without her. It will be difficult I am sure but I hope we can reflect on memories of her as she did in this submission. I am truly grateful for your consideration. (I can be reached at 780-750-1221 or sjbudgell@yahoo.ca for further information) Memories I believe one of the greatest gifts God gave me was the gift of memories. I am the third child in a family of eight kids. When I was born in 1944 my grandfather said it was a great day because they had 5 barrels of cod fish, 25 turrs and anther dishwasher. I was a very lucky girl to be born into such a wonderful family and I hold in my heart many precious memories. I remember Dad making ice cream. As Mom put the ingredients together, Dad would get the water bucket and the big baking powder can.He would punch a hole in the rim and pack the ice and salt around the can that had the ingredients inside.He would hold that can and turn it around and around and after awhile we enjoyed the best ice cream you had ever tasted. Some of my fondest memories are of Christmas. Dad and the oldest boys would harness the horse, a gentle mare named Mabel and get the Christmas tree. Dad would stick the tree in an old bucket with rocks to keep it upright. We would place it in a corner and tie it to the wall with shopping line. The us kids would decorate it. Smells of molasses and light fruit cakes filled our home. Chocolate and light cakes, ( and not from a box) were baked in our old wood stove.along with date squares, tea buns and molasses bread. Mom was very busy woman. Along with, darning , knitting, scrubbing and preparing meals, she didn't stop much, but she always had a helping hand for anyone in need. The mummers were very popular in those days and Dad always knew when to expect them. There was a certain crowd that always left our house for last. Dad knew this and he would bring in the water bucket and bottles of purity syrup while Mom cut up the cakes and cheese. Us kids knew and we would cuddle up on the old daybed waiting. We were always excited about the mummers and with big eyes and fast heart beats we waited for the knock on the door and the words "any mummers allowed in" The they would pile into the big kitchen, dance a few jigs, eat cakes, drink purity syrup and make you guess who they were. It wasn't hard because it was usually the same crowd. Good memories, you bet. I wouldn't change them for anything. The most precious memory I have is the Christmas when I was about 10 years old.I had a part in the school concert that was always held in the Orange Lodge. There was always a big tree in the Lodge for the parents to place the children's gifts on. You can be sure there was always a beautiful doll at the top for some rich kid. Every little girl there would love to have it but I knew my Mom and Dad couldn't afford it. It was very expensive int he Eaton's or Sear's catalog. I wasn't expecting anything but was so excited that my family had come to hear me and that I would see Santa Claus. As I stood on the old wooden stool, imagine my surprise and the look on my face when Santa came toward me calling my name. It wasn't big but it was something.I tore the paper and inside was a beautiful box holding 2 bottles of floral water and a cake of soap. I was so happy and I looked into Mom's face and we smiled at each other. I realized at the age of ten the real meaning of Christmas. Mom and Dad taught us many things about life: hard work, honesty, giving, lending a helping hand and loving each other. They are both gone now but their eight children live on with children and grandchildren of their own. Some of us are miles apart but always close at heart. Whenever we get together we enjoy talking about the tihgs we did growing up, the good and the bad. I am sure hat each of us has a special memory but mine will always be the Christmas I received the little gift of floral water and soap, given with love , a perfect memory. Written by Melba Annie Foster Oake October 28, 1944 - September 22, 2012 Submitted by her daughter Sharon Budgell..love you Mom   Submitted By: Sharon Budgell