I'm celebrating each Saturday or Sunday with Ruth Ayres at Discover Play Build. Come join in to share your own special celebrations.
Today, the day after Christmas, everyone, even my out-of-towners, are off doing other things, so I'm celebrating as I think I've done for a long time, celebrating sweet or bittersweet milestones-memories. Ones we make from yesterday, and ones from the past. You know, like the time Santa really did come to deliver gifts, the Christmas we almost didn't make it because of an ice storm, or, sadly, the first Christmas without my grandmother.
This time, Christmas memories will be written like this:
Remember that Christmas when. . .
We had a full moon and a white Christmas for the first time in many years?Carter got a new fancy camera and tripod, and Imogene decided that it was okay to have her picture taken when we acted silly?
This Christmas was the time that Imogene was in love with Star Wars, the 'dark' side, and Ingrid was studying big cats, so Santa brought Star Wars and big cat toys.
It was the first time I worked at the book store on Christmas eve, helping last minute shoppers look for last minute books. What a great time it was, busy with happy people enjoying their "just-right' and last minute discoveries.
This past fall, we placed Arvie's ashes in a niche at a nearby cemetery, so it was the first time we made a visit on Christmas to tell him how much we missed him.
Other years, I remember the year at my grandmother's when nearly all of us had babies and we stood around a lot holding them, jiggling up and down to soothe. I remember as a young child when an uncle gave me, like the song says, "a dolly with lots of clothes". And I remember the Christmas when my grandfather was so sick and we knew he wouldn't be with us for the next one. Christmas holds some of our stories, and I celebrate each one, the way we were, and I'm happy I remember.
What precious memories of Christmas past. Enjoy each and every one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leigh Anne. I know that I will.
DeleteWhat wonderful remembrances of this year and past Christmases! Christmas Eve at the bookstore - what fun!
ReplyDeleteIt was busier than it's ever been on my other days, Ramona, very fun to talk with all the customers & discover what they're looking for.
DeleteReally lovely and a good philosophy to embrace it all. Ah, life!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jane, looking back with good memories is indeed a good thing.
DeleteOh this is such a beautiful, beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carrie.
DeleteWe were excited when it started to snow on Christmas afternoon. I love a white Christmas! And I'm looking at that shelf trying to decide which bookstore it is, LOL. Book shopping is one of my favorite things to do when I'm in Denver! So glad your day was full of memories!
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely 'white' Christmas, very nice surprise. I've been volunteering at a local used bookstore, Elisabeth, simply named the Park Hill Bookstore, in a small strip of shops in the Park Hill area of Denver. It's run entirely by volunteers, has been operating for many years. It's just great to work there. Maybe you'll visit some time?
DeleteThank you for sharing your memories. Beautiful. It helps me to also look back.
ReplyDeleteTerrific, Crystal. It's nice to look back and remember when. . .
DeleteSounds like you had a really special holiday with family. I loved the white Christmas, but would not mind if it was just a tad warmer! BRRR!
ReplyDeleteIt was a special time these past few days, Carol. And whew, you're right. It is so cold! I took a picture of a drain dripping and frozen today-cold!
DeleteBeing together as a family during holidays makes the holiday. So many memories tied to these special days. I think we may be taking the northern route through Denver next week as we head to California to celebrate Clara's first birthday. Might be checking in with you on weather conditions. Southern route is forecasting ice and heavy snow.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be watching the weather because Nathan, Barb & Carter have to leave after New Year's. Glad you'll get to go, but traveling through our mountains can be a little challenging too. I'll keep an eye on that part of the trip.
DeleteChristmas with little children gives a special spark to the holidays. The family pic you share cheers "Happy." Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terje. Yes, the girls exude excitement every minute.
DeleteLinda, Thank you for sharing your treasures with us.. Because that is what memories become, our treasures. We put them in a special place and when we take them out they transport us back in time to those moments.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, I think they're 'treasures' too, Bernadette.
DeleteBeautiful memories, Linda! I love seeing the silly pictures and hearing about Christmas stories!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle. I know you're making stories now, too.
DeleteSuch wonderful stories to celebrate - they make our families what we are. This Christmas, my children did a lot of remembering, too. It seems as though the time of reflection has set in for them, the time to hold on to stories. I love that silly picture, Linda - that's a story right there!
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear about your kids' sharing stories too, Tara. It is what we do, isn't it? "that was the time when. . ."
DeleteLinda, remembering the stories from one year to the next is so special. Sometimes, my stories blend into each other and I have to refer to the photos to clearly define the years. Being in the book store helping others on Christmas Eve must have been such a wonderful feeling as was the experience of placing Arvie's ashes in a special place. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol, for reading and coming by. It was a special year and a special Christmas to remember, too. The book store is a delight, and having a place for Arvie makes us all feel good.
DeleteLove the silly photo of you all! Glad you had a good time, Linda. I can just picture you jiggling babies in years past.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tabatha, we did have a good time, always over so quickly, isn't it? Guess we all jiggled a few babies, didn't we? Happy New Year!
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