The Priciest Christmas Treat

by scotteliasmacha

This is the first time in my life I’m not spending Christmas in Fremont, CA at my Papa and Yiayia’s (Greek for Grandma) house. We are all the way in Springfield, MO far away from any relatives. To boot, it’s cold, but it doesn’t look like we’ll be having a white Christmas either. Kaleigh and I are both positive people and know that we’ll make the best of our daughter Karis’ first Christmas, but it’s still difficult for each of us in our own way. 

My Mom is great. It wasn’t her decision to miss her first grandchild’s first Christmas, but she has been such a good sport about it. She knows my love language is food and there’s one special treat she makes once a year that makes the whole world disappear when you eat it. She got the recipe from her grandmother, and a few years ago she perfected it. Peanut. Butter. Balls. It’s chocolate and it’s peanut butter. It’s crunchy and it’s chewy. It’s delicious and it’s Christmas. For me, Christmas isn’t Christmas without them. (Maybe I should pray about that?)

They’re the priciest treat ever, and here’s why. My Mom mailed us a package with nine peanut butter balls and a check for $200. Now we really need the money after moving across the country, but I was still enormously more excited about the peanut butter balls. Do some quick math and that means they’re more than $22 a pop. To be honest if someone offered me one in July for $50, I don’t think I’d have the strength to say no.

Times are a little bit sadder this time around, but I’m thankful for family and food that make celebrating Jesus a little more familiar.