As many of you know, I lead a Memoir Writing Workshop here in Hansville. In this group, I give a suggestion on what to write about for our next meeting, then the gang writes a story to share with the group (and usually they write what I suggest).

At a recent meeting, I suggested they write about something they wish they could do over, such as staying in a certain job, or taking different classes in school, or maybe making when making other decision in their life. When I make these suggestions for a topic to write about, I usually write about the same subject and add it to my memoir notebook and, time permitting, I share this with the group too.

This brings me to the topic of this column for December.

I’ve been thinking about Christmas presents since July. I don’t need to purchase as many gifts as some but for those few that I do shop for, I like to get lots of little things rather than one big gift, or sometimes I give “special” presents.

A couple of years ago, I made up a book of my memories of the summer my father was foreman in a logging camp and the adventures and goings-on there (I was 7 and my sister was 2), and I sent this as a gift to my nieces and nephew. Then another year, I sent them an ice cream scoop, fun bowls, sprinkles and other toppings and money to buy ice cream. Not big presents, just things to let them know I’m thinking of them at Christmas time.

So back to this assignment for the Memoir group: The year, I sent all the kids slippers. I heard that only two of the five kids liked the slippers. I wish I could do that over. Or the time several years ago I made quilts out of old jeans for five of my teen-age relatives (one was my daughter). I left pockets intact and put little surprises in these pockets. My daughter said she liked it (but I never saw her use it until she got a car; then, it was in the trunk). Out of the other four kids, only one seemed to like this and said so, and I saw it in her room. The others never mentioned liking or hating or even acknowledged getting it. I wish I could do this over and recoup some of the time I spent on this project.

So the point of this is that I’ve decided that from now on I’m going to try not to do anything I wish I could take back. No more do-overs in my life. Do it right the first time. Get my act together and … well, just be better. Oh, well, as my husband always tells me, if you’re early you’re never late, so I guess I’ll just be early with this plan, sort of an early New Year’s resolution.

Hope you have a Happy Turkey Day and have a very Merry Christmas!

Happenings

Dec. 7: Rummage Sale drop off.

Dec. 13: Ladies Aid Christmas Home Tour.

Dec. 19: Children’s Christmas Party.

Dec. 22: Christmas Concert.

Dec. 31: Bingo.

— Donna Lee Anderson  writes Hansville Happenings for the Kingston Community News. Contact her at WellToldTales@aol.com.