Trailer Wife

Yes, I went to Lutheran Bible Camp. So what?

My grandmother (who was a Lutheran Minister's wife AND the church organist) would, on the first day of December, pull out the old felt Advent calendar from the depths under the stairs. Each day had a little window or door that Heidi and I took turns opening, to reveal a little prize or note that Grandma had stuffed inside. We also had one at home with little ribbons for every day, to which my mom would tie two pieces of candy - usually a tiny candy cane or tootsie roll. We loved those silly little gestures, and it made the anticipation of Christmas so sweet.

Advent is Latin for "coming," so I feel justified, being the Very Serious Agnostic that I am, to use this term without the religious baggage for my own special little virtual Advent Calendar*. But instead of candy or prizes, you'll get a Christmas memory, link, photo or story every day. Lucky you!

DAY ONE: Underoos.

The year was 1981. I was three years old. Wonder Woman, starring Linda Carter, had been canceled in 1979, but lived on in syndication - appearing every evening at 5:00 PM, the same hour as the local news. My grandfather, who I will always picture as a soft-spoken, apple-peeling giant, would sit in his rocking chair in the corner of the living room, dictating when, what channel, how long the TV would be used. But for his three-year-old granddaughter, for whom Wonder Woman was the sun and stars, he split the difference - taking the first 30 minutes of TV time for the news, and giving Wonder Woman the final 30 minutes. All through my childhood I saw this act as one of ultimate self-sacrifice, and never doubted that this man loved me more than I could possibly imagine.

Cut to Christmas. Although I can't honestly say I remember opening the Best Christmas Present Ever, the Wonder Woman Underoos I received were so sacred, so hallowed throughout my youth, that they are still kept in an air-tight Vuarnet pencil box to this day. Heidi gave me an adult version of the Wonder Woman intimates for my bridal shower, but I'll omit that photo to preserve your innocence.

*I got this idea from a blogger named Leslie Harpold, who did her own online advent calendar until she sadly died last year. The tradition lives on!