William Heber Robb and Clara Minnie Simmons: Christmas in January

Merry Christmas From Our House to Yours

Mother and I were talking about Christmas. When Mary Lou and I were very young, we would always get beautiful dolls, and in the very early years I remember painted, tin dishes. We played into the early morning hours, pretend tea parties with our new dolls and our pretty dishes. Mother told me that one of her favorite gifts was a "Little Orphan Annie" tin dish set. She told me, "Oh if I just had one of those little cups or a dish." That started me on a quest. From then on, I frequently checked the internet for 1920 vintage tin "Little Orphan Annie" play dishes. When I saw an antique store, "Little Orphan Annie" was all I sought. No luck, nothing.

One early fall afternoon, while walking back to the office, I passed a familiar antique store on Center Street in Provo. I still had a few minutes, so I decided to stop in and look. There it was. Not the tin dish or cup, but a 1920's vintage Little Orphan Annie oil cloth doll!. I considered the price, swollowed, thought of mother and bought it.

Little Orphan Annie 1920's Vintage

I was so excited, I wanted to call mother and tell her... but couldn't because it was to be Mother's Christmas present. I wanted so much to send it to her, but Kimi was working on a lap quilt and hadn't quite finished it yet. So I waited. Christmas came and went, and Kimi had just finished the lovely quilt she had been working so diligently on. It was beautiful. She has an amazing talent. I had long since sworn off making any more winter trips to Wyoming. The weather and roads had proven many times to just be too unreliable and oft times treacherous. It was early January 2000 and we had the most extraordinary break in the weather. You might say a "January Thaw". Kimi and I decided to jump in the car and take our gifts to Mom and Daddy.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect. It was a beautiful drive, and the roads were clear and dry. When we reached South Pass, we saw Golden and Bald Eagles on nearly all the telephone poles. What an amazing sight! Oh how we enjoyed this special, unplanned trip home.

We reached Lovell in the evening. We pulled into New Horizons, even though it was late, we were anxious to see mother. The large gathering room was cheerfully decorated. The men were huddled close around the television. I saw mother sitting in a wheelchair, taking in any activity that was of interest. Kimi was walking faster than me and when she reached mother, I heard her say, "Hi Grandma!". Mother looked up and smiled that wonderful, sweet smile. I could tell she hadn't really heard what Kimi had said and didn't immediately recognize her. We weren't expected. Then mother saw me, and I will never forget the look on mother's face! She looked at me, then back to Kimi, and then the full realization of family sunk in and she came alive with excitement and great hugs. It was a precious moment, burned in my memory. We visited, called daddy to let him know we were in town and would be coming as soon as mother was tucked in and resting. Something she was not at all ready to be doing!!

Kimi and Mother January 2000

The following day, we brought the gifts we had lovingly prepared. Kimi showed mother the quilt she had made for her, and put it on her lap. Mother loved it, and was so impressed with the beautiful handiwork and tiny expert quilting stitches. Quilting is an art form the Asay's have taken much pride in over the years, and Kimi keeps the art very much alive with her skill. Kimi hoped it would keep her dear grandmother warm, and comfortable.

Georgia and Mother January 2000

Little Orphan Annie took mother very much by surprise, and I was delighted. It was a fun, light-hearted exchange. All the months and a few years of searching, really paid off. (I still occasionally look for the tin plate or cup, but have acquired the original music, an Ovaltine shaker, and a tin stove). Being with mother and daddy was the best Christmas Kimi and I could have, even if it was a little late.

Time went all to quickly as it always does, and it came time to return to Utah. We hugged and kissed and tearfully said our goodbyes. Less than a week later, on January 23, 2000, Mother passed away. Little did we know at the time that Kimi and I had been blessed to share this special January Christmas with Mother and Daddy. I will always be so thankful for this opportunity, and circumstances making it possible now appear far more than coincidental.

Daddy was heartbroken with the loss of his sweetheart. We were priviledged to have him with us through the rest of the year, and then Daddy too passed away on November 29, 2000.