The darker side of my childhood

[pbray]

Yesterday kaygo mentioned the Vermont Country store, and I was inspired to visit their website where I found this bit of nostalgia.



Every Thanksgiving, my sister Sheila, my cousin Mary-Ellen and I each received one of the girl pilgrim candles. We then lit the candles and watched our effigies burn as we ate. The tradition lasted until my aunt could no longer find a store that sold them.

As adults we occasionally reminisced about the practice, and how disturbing it was that we took little people and set them on fire.

Now, thanks to the Vermont Country store, I can pass on this tradition to the next generation. I can't wait.

Comments

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Now, thanks to the Vermont Country store, I can pass on this tradition to the next generation. I can't wait.

Always glad to help friends revisit the darker events of their childhood and pass along the experiences to unsuspecting innocents.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Love the icon, btw.

[dancingwriter.livejournal.com]

Omigosh, my mom had those exact candles! She never burned them, though--just put them out on the table every Thanksgiving, year after year....

[pbray.livejournal.com]

We were a tad gruesome.

The final year we didn't burn the candles, and I think I still have mine, somewhere in the stack of things saved from childhood for no particular reason.

[melissajm.livejournal.com]

My parents have them too! And they never burn them either.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

It's the whole idea that's so bizarre-- lighting the wick and then watching their little heads melt? This was fun and festive?

[melissajm.livejournal.com]

We had a little Santa Claus candle too-untill some small person chewed the toes off of Santa's boots.