The Gingerbread House
Today is bittersweet for me. I turn seventy, but I’ve lost my birthday mate. My dear cousin Tom, who shared this solstice birthday with me, died a few months ago. I’ll miss hearing his voice on the phone saying, “Hey Baby Carol. This is Tom. Happy Birthday!!”
Tom Teter and Carol Crump in front of the farmhouse on Whirlwind Hill, 1949
I rarely saw Tom in the winter, but one year his family – my mother’s sister Lydia, her husband Bill, son Tom, and daughter Nancy – came east for Christmas. I remember two wonderful treats from that visit. The first was the Christmas gift to Nancy and me of matching “Ginny Walker” dolls. And the second was the gingerbread house the Teters carried with them all the way from Indiana. I’m sure there was birthday cake too, but what I remember most is the taste and texture of the minty wafer candies that adorned the frosted gingerbread roof. Like Hansel and Gretel I picked at that house for days, wanting it to last forever.
Carol with the gingerbread house and the new doll
Oh, Carol …. oh my ….
I woke up this morning, knowing it was your birthday (and, kind of a biggie), and smiled and sent an email birthday wish to you. And then “On Whirlwind Hill” popped into my inbox and instead of getting out of bed like I was supposed to, I snuggled down to read your 8th Christmas treat …. and to my surprise, moments later, I was in tears. I didn’t know that Tom had died. Oh, I am so sorry for your loss. I am so sorry for mine (so much less) … he was the big, sweet cousin, coming in the heat of the summer from the middle of the country (I was never sure exactly where, but a long way away!), always so nice, such a smile (that face of his – this picture is wonderful), so sweet to all of us, even much younger, me. Oh my … I didn’t know. And I’m so sorry. Yes. You’ve lost the sweetest birthday buddy anyone could ever have. Oh … happy birthday, Carol. Happy birthday, Tom. I have always looked up to, admired and loved you both.
Thanks, Margy. The day does seem emptier with him gone. But we’ve all been so lucky to have this wonderful family. Thanks for birthday wishes. Yes – it’s a big one. But as my cousin Sue says, we still have 37 more years to get as old as our grandmother Crump.
Happy Birthday, Carol. Betcha Tom’s smiling. (You share the day, too, with my daughter-in-law – how cool!). Hold fast to those happy memories.
Thanks, Janet, and a Happy Birthday to your daughter-in-law too.
We are so sorry to hear about Tom….. Chuck and I were just reminiscing over our morning coffee ,here in Bremen, about the wonderful family reunion where we had the pleasure of a great conversation with him. And the fun tour he guided us on around the farm property in the side by side……..so thankful to you both for that very special memory. What a dear and special cousin to share a birthday with! Loved seeing these pictures of you and those treasured childhood memories. Thinking of you and wishing you, though bittersweet, a very Happy 70th!
Thanks so much Ellen. Have a cozy Christmas in Bremen. We’re lucky to have those great memories of the reunion. So glad we did it. Love to Chuck too.
Happy Birthday! I did not know that you shared your birthday with Tom, but such a beautiful connection with a cousin and now have to send his birthday wishes to heaven.
Thanks, Karen. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Happy Birthday, Carol! We’re really enjoying your 12 Days of Christmas Treats series. Such wonderful memories of childhood during this holiday season. What wonderful photos of you and your cousin, Tom, and of you holding your doll next to he gingerbread house. Aitana and Amara made a gingerbread house here this weekend, something they’ve been doing since they were really little. Lots of frosting and candy popped into their mouths instead of onto the house.
Thanks Carol and Dave. How fun to make a gingerbread house with the girls. I have yet to be brave enough to try it with my grandsons. Maybe next year when they’re a little older (and I’m a little older).
Hi Carol and Happy Birthday! This was my 70th year, too, and it takes a bit of adjustment, but I’m
glad to be healthy and still having adventures. I hope you’re healthy, too, but sorry to hear about your cousin. I’ve been enjoying your Christmas memories, photos and art. Thanks for posting again and
sharing all this good stuff with the rest of us. Hope you had a memorable birthday celebration.
Merriest of Holidays,, too!
Thanks, Judy. It’s so good to hear from you. 70 doesn’t seem that bad – at least not so far. Merry holidays to you to, and a Happy New Year!
Bittersweet happy birthday
Sorry for you loss
I’m 75
Nicely said, Allen.
What wonderful memories to begin a sad day. We celebrated Tom’s birthday last night with Molly and toasted you as well. Happy Birthday, Carol! Welcome to the 70’s. Yikes, where did the time go? I remember well our dolls and the gingerbread house. What a fun Christmas at the farm. I think Tom’s spirit will always pester you on the 21st. I know he loved sharing the day with you. Much love, Nancy
It was a sad day, but I’m glad you were able to join Molly. Yes. His spirit will definitely pester me on the 21st, and that’s just fine with me.