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The holidays are here and it brings back so many childhood memories. When we were younger, my siblings and I could not wait for Christmas. During those days neighbors would bring gifts of fruits and candy to each other. The kids would eat so much candy and fruit that our parents would ask Ms. Bragg, a family friend to come to the house and take the fruits and candy to her home to keep us from eating all of it before Christmas. Then early Christmas morning she would bring back all the goodies.

Ms. Bragg had a walking cane and she would playfully hit us with it when we walked pass her. She was famous for telling scary Christmas stories and we would gather around and listen to her while she rocked back and forth in her rocking chair. Everyone in the neighborhood knew and loved her and she loved us. She called us her children.

Thinking of Ms. Sally Bragg brings back many long-forgotten memories. The long hours she spent at our home talking with mama, the wonderful stories and that big stick. Everyone in the neighborhood knew that the stick was her trademark and she was never without it.

As I write this story, my heart is filled with joy thinking of the many people I met in my youth, ones like Ms. Bragg that looked out for us kids as she shook her walking stick sitting on her porch—laughing and smiling.

Merry Christmas to all the Ms. Braggs. We love you and thank you for the memories.

Be blessed in Jesus’ name.

Mary Simmons is a columnist for The Kenbridge-Victoria Dispatch. She can be reached at aboxoflove37@gmail.com.