I'm glad that this garnered so much feedback, since I tend to gloss down the list looking for the blue arrows to find stories to read. I wouldn't want to have missed it.

I found this to be a poignant, bittersweet, coming-of-age story far deeper than the average Christmas fluff. (Although I lap up the fluff, anyway.)

I suppose it touched a deeper chord with me since this was the first Christmas since my grandma died and I tended to get emotional at the silliest thing. (I got misty-eyed when I developed a hole in two pair of sweater-socks knowing that grandma had bought me them 20 years ago. They lasted this long because I never wear them, but she faithfully bought them every year because they went on-sale for 50 cents each the day after Christmas and she could afford to buy gifts for the whole family even on a fixed income.)

I was a little confused at the thought of candy in a hamper. I think lollies are lollipops (I saw Chitty, Chitty, Bang-Bang.), but a hamper is a place where Americans put their unwashed clothing until laundry day.

BTW, sweetie is a term of endearment and sweaty is a person with wet armpits.

I was also confused how Charlotte Louise Elizabeth Rachel Kent could be named after Bertha Avery.

Best line:
Quote
BUT DAD, I said, hasn’t she seen my save the rainforest T-shirts… and I thought I made it pretty frank, when I wore the Green-Peace T-shirt to lunch today… He didn’t have a reply for that one…
Best tearjerker lines:
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“You know, when she first made the scarves, your GRAMMAMA would say to me: Lois, wrap those scarves tight around those children’s necks, please! They are not Kansas Scarves, not GRAMMASCARVES, but Kansas/Gramma hugs in disguise…. I cant hug them every day, Lois’ she would say. ‘but Lois, my babies can wear their GRAMASCARVES. And as such they can wear my hugs all day, everyday…

“From the beginning they were symbols of her love for you baby. I think you know that… and so you must remember, darling, that Gramma will always be there for you, she will always love you… (whispered, while running out of the room crying) I will always love you baby”
I also enjoyed all the different terms-of-endearment used for family members. Our little names of love.

Truly enjoyed this one. Don't forget to archive this little gem. Let me know if you would like a beta reader before you send it in.

Elisabeth