When it comes to nostalgia, is there anything that evokes more memories than the Christmas season? To me, reminiscing is the best part. Whether it goes all the way back to my childhood, thinking about Christmases when our boys were younger, or just thinking back to last year with the grandkids, there's nothing better!
I remember the excitement as a kid, leading up to Christmas. Taking rides to see the lights, visiting a live Nativity scene at a local church, finding a tree at the town tree lot, paying a visit to Santa at a department store... I'm pretty sure I had an extensive list for Santa, but when the magical night arrived, I forgot that list and loved everything under the tree. Our house was always the hub for the extended family's celebration and sharing the holidays then, with those who are now no longer with us, makes those memories even sweeter.
Christmas as a Mom brought a big responsibility of making Christmas as special for the boys as it had been for me. Some years, we nailed it, sometimes not so much. The boys may tell you their Christmas memories always involved dorky sweaters (and judging from the pictures, they may be right!) but my memories are different. I remember trying to keep them calm, during Mass, before the chaos started. I remember the year one son got a drum set from my folks (not sure what I did to deserve THAT!) or the other year, an uncle thought space guns that made 12 different sounds were a good gift idea for all three boys (Payback the following year was his three too-young daughters received make-up kits, complete with nail polish and lipstick) We had our share of football, basketball and baseball stuff, GI Joes
(or the cheaper version, GI Jim) and building blocks. Back then, what I wouldn't have done for a baby doll!
Having grandkids has added another layer of enjoyment for me at Christmas. They make the trek here and their joy and excitement brings back so many memories of when our boys were that age. And make new memories for Grandpa and I with their joy and innocence.
I've always been a traditionalist but I've learned that when you have a family of your own, you'd best be flexible. There were years when sick kids kept us from making the rounds...years, because of work or the kids sharing the holiday with in-laws- when everyone isn't in the same place at the same time. But you make it work, because it's family and it's Christmas.
I hope you've been blessed with wonderful Christmas memories, too, and that this Christmas is full of new ones for you and yours.
Mary Sue, because of Karen, I come to your blog to check out what is going on. I cannot believe you , yes you have come into blog land and I am enjoying what I see. I too always feel nostalgic during Christmas. My husband does not realize why I want to just put up the ceramic tree. You see, when I put up my tree, I call it Memories Tree. I have ornaments when we didn't have much in our early years, some from the sharing ornaments with friends at work. But, the ones that get me are the ones from the patients, and know they are no longer with us. You see, I worked in the best Cardiac/ Pulmonary Rehab. I saw those pts. 3-2x's a week. That was before Facebook really computers as they are now. I keep up with everyone from the West side and East side from their parents. I worked @Mercy's FF. Those pts would give ornaments, some homemade, others bought. Then I made a mistake of using wrapping paper from all the Christmases to wrap ornaments, so first I think back to wrapping paper, then the ornaments, then of course the tears, as I remember friends, patients, and my step kids. It is a roller coaster of emotions. The ceramic tree is the same as it was my mom's but that seems safer, like a nightlight in the room. Well, I digress, you have a wonderful blog and I will stop back and visit it often. Love, Josie
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