Remembering Mom at Branson Daze

In Memory of My Mother who Died September 13, 1993

It was mid-September and I was feeling kind of down but not knowing why in particular.  Just one of those change of season feelings, I thought.  'Let's go to Branson' as there's always something there to make me feel good.  It has been a place of family good times for over 35 years now.  This particular weekend was Branson Daze.  The downtown area had a couple streets closed off for vendors and entertainment to celebrate the changing season.  There was always something interesting as most of the time, Branson has the best and most original crafts.  This was one of our favorite yearly events and it had been a few years since we had gone.

As we were walking around, I still felt melancholy.  Then I went by this booth at the end of the big tent of crafts and this crucifix caught my eye.  I tried to walk on by as I did most of the other booths but I kept turning back and looking at all the wood products with this one particular crucifix almost speaking to me.  Then I picked it up.  I think I heard my mother's voice telling me this was important and don't put it down.  Then I held it and walked around looking at everything else at the booth.  Then tears started forming in my eyes as I realized it had been 20 years since my mother's death.  I almost forgot!

That was why I was feeling like I was!  When I realized this, I knew I had to have this particular crucifix.  If you cannot read the paper that came with it, it basically says that it was carved out of wood trimmings from an olive tree.  The natural olive oil protects the piece from corrosion and any changes in color. The inlays at each end have different items from Bethlehem:  stones (top), frankincense (bottom), olive tree leaves (left), flowers (right).

Here I am with the vendor - Holy Land Gifts, S County Mall, St. Louis, MO 63129.  Phone: 229-242-3310.  There are only 30 families in the City of Bethlehem who are still perfecting this art and his family is one of the oldest.  His brother carved the one I purchased.  "Olive wood carving is a tradition that was originally introduced by monks and priests, and later perfected by local master carvers, that art been handed down from father to son from the last 700 years."

Soon, my melancholy was lifted.  I began to enjoy the music of a young group performing in the next tent.  My foot began tapping and the smile came back that had been missing awhile.

Then I felt hungry and we walked to The Landing and tried out this restaurant floating on the lake.  My Catholic Mom always loved eating out at fish restaurants. She was in my heart again.  Yes, Branson, you did it again - lifting me up!