The Big Cheese

I was enjoying some of my Wisconsin cheese today (see earlier post) and I was reminded of one other time in my life when I received a gift of cheese.

It was Christmas and I was 6 or 7 years old, I don’t really remember and it doesn’t really matter.  My dad was a Pastor and, although he always made certain we had a good Christmas, this particular year things were looking a little skimpy under the tree.  Dad’s church was doing well, but the problem with that was, we had started a building program to accommodate the congregation so money was especially tight.  This was back in the days when pastors did not get a regular salary.  The offering was taken up, the bills of the church were paid, and the Pastor got the leftovers.  Just the way it worked.

Anyway, I kept checking under the tree for gifts with my name on them.  There were a few small parcels but where, I wondered, was my “big” present?  On Christmas morning I was up at the crack of dawn hoping that Santa had visited the night before and left me something special.  Sure enough, there was a big box with my name on it.  I picked it up to shake it (of course I always shook my presents, didn’t you?) and not one rattle could be heard coming from the package.  But it was HEAVY.  To a young girl, it seemed to weigh at least 50 pounds!!

Of course Daddy had a big grin on his face, as he played Santa and passed out the gifts one by one, but he made me wait until last to open my “big” gift.  I could not imagine what might be inside such a weighty present but as I tore off the paper and ripped open the box I was astonished by what I found.  For there inside was a HUGE wheel of Longhorn Cheddar cheese!

I was ecstatic!  I LOVED cheese and to own a great big wheel of it was just about the best thing ever!  It never dawned on me that it was an inventive way to get groceries into the house, along with the oranges and apples that filled our stockings.  To me, I had all the cheese I would ever want, and my Christmas was complete.

My mother was so wise.  In the coming days she never presumed to use MY cheese.  She always asked if I would like her to make tacos, or enchiladas, or mac and cheese, and oh yes, would I like to use my cheese in the dish?  I was so happy to be consulted on these decisions and proud to be able to share with the rest of the family.  That cheese went a long way and it is still one of my favorite gift memories. 

My Dad was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and he always held that the best cheese was Wisconsin cheese.  And that is why I am so happy with this chunk of cheese from Merikay and Craig.   Every time I eat some, I am reminded of that special Christmas so long ago and of the love and wisdom of my parents.  I miss them still.

Okay, I’m done talking about cheese now!!