Friday, December 22, 2017

Christmas and a break

I know I am a day late this week, but decided to do it this way, since this is a holiday weekend.
I am sure everyone has been busy with their Christmas chores!  I am done with shopping, finishing up a little wrapping today, and the real baking will be done next week.  We have the kids coming in next weekend, so I won't be making a lot just for us (we don't need it).

I have done a lot of reminiscing of the Christmas festivities of my childhood and of those who aren't with us any more.  I have such fond memories.  NO, I don't really remember gifts received, I remember events that I participated in.


I remember hunting for the 'perfect' Christmas tree at the tree lot with Mom and Daddy.  It was almost always snowing (I think Dad had a plan), and the tree was never really perfect.  Daddy would come home and with a saw and a drill, he would  move branches to make it 'perfect'!  It was always decorated with old timey ornaments like the picture above, big lights, and paper chains.  We would have hot chocolate on that night.

I remember the morning ritual of coming down the stairs (and not looking) at Santa's bounty - HAVING to eat breakfast, daddy having a cigarette -  and then getting to go open presents.  Oh, the anticipation!!

I remember helping Mom bake cookies and make candy.  What fun.

I remember having ALL the family scrunched into our home, which wasn't all that big.  People would be sitting up and down the stairs, and on the floor, and every where.  Lot's of laughter and fun.

I remember all the smells and sounds. 

I remember being so very happy - we didn't have a lot of money - but I was happy.
Santa always left lots of packages, but everything and I mean everything was wrapped separately.  Socks, undies, homemade clothes, homemade Barbie clothes, etc.

I remember that my stocking always had an orange in the toe, and there was nuts in the shell and lots of candy.

Oh the memories!  I so miss my Mom and Daddy, my sister and my brother.  I know they are with me in spirit and in memory - I am happy for that!

I love keeping the wonder and awe of childhood in my Christmas's today.  I still get a thrill seeing Santa, hearing/seeing an excited child, hearing Christmas music, watching holiday movies, and seeing all the pretty lights.  I hope I never lose that, and I hope you all keep that wonder in your hearts as well. 

My favorite times are sitting in a dark room with only Christmas lights on - thinking, meditating and praying.  Life is good and I am thankful.
Yes, we have all had our ups and downs - but we are here.  God has blessed us in so many ways.


I have no immediate wishes for gifts - don't need anything.  I pray that my family and friends (this includes you) have health and happiness.
I pray that those who are homeless find warmth and comfort.
I pray that those who are very needy, get a holiday surprise of love and kindness.
I pray no child goes without.
I pray for meanness, selfishness, greed and pain to go away.
I pray for you!


I will be answering comments - but I will not be posting again until Tuesday, Dec. 26th.  I will post Frugal Happening that day.  Just a little break to take time to enjoy the sights and sounds.

Friends, may you all have a wonderful Christmas. I hope you get to be with family and friends.  Take time to remember the past and those absent from your lives this year.
Take time to thank our Lord for the greatest gift ever given - Jesus Christ.


Merry Christmas!      'God bless us everyone'.


26 comments:

  1. Your post made me cry...we are truly blessed with good memories.
    Hope that you have a blessed Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy - we are all so blessed, and so many times it seems we just forget that.
      Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

      Delete
  2. I remember taking our kids to get a live Christmas tree. What fun. Now we do artificial! Have a great Christmas and enjoy your break from blogging! Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy that was such a fun thing to do. I wish more people experienced that with their children.
      Merry Christmas and thank you!

      Delete
  3. Have a Merry Christmas Cheryl! I do remember a few gifts -like the giant Christmas bear me and my sister got one year. I always was sad though about the easy bake oven that was not deemed safe enough by Mother ha ha. I remember putting up the Christmas tree and how sometimes it would be sideways. Like you memories are precious to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Memories are something that no one can ever take away - no matter what.
      I do remember having an Easy bake oven - don't remember getting it - but I had one!
      Have a fantastic Christmas.

      Delete
  4. What a sweet post, Cheryl. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Belinda. I hope you and your family have a great Christmas as well.

      Delete
  5. This is the sweetest post! I might have choked up a little. :) Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww thank you. I just hope maybe it made you remember something cool!
      Merry Christmas to you and yours.

      Delete
  6. What a beautiful post! I remember my Christmases as a child, all of the relatives being shoe-horned into Grandma's little house. All us kids were shooed to the basement to play. But my 2 cousins and I would sneak into the Grandma's room where all the coats were laid on the bed, and we would chitchat and gossip as young girls do. Supper was always sandwiches on a tray and Grandma's justly famous dill pickles. What I wouldn't give for another one of those pickles...for one more Christmas Day with all my relatives...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sue thank you. Sounds like you had a great childhood too. Be thankful for those memories - you will always have those days in your heart and mind.
      I bet grandma's pickles were the best!

      I would love to spend the day with my relatives too - but would not wish them back from their glorious home now. Someday!
      God bless. Merry Christmas

      Delete
  7. Rather than dwell on my many poopy Christmas memories lol, I'll share a fun one. When I was 11, my dad let me pick out the Christmas tree. What did I pick?
    One that was PINK FLOCKED!!!!! Sometimes I wish I had a picture of it because I remember it being glorious. Other times, I'm sorta glad I don't because my adult eyes might ruin the tree my 11 yr. old self loved most!!

    Merry Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay you!!!!! I bet that was your favorite tree ever!!!! Oh the eyes of a child - they see magic and wonder!
      What a great fun memory.

      Merry Christmas

      Delete
  8. Cheryl, Merry Christmas to you, your husband and family. Memories are good reminders of how we would like the futures to be also. We are the only ones who can make parts of those memories come to life - with the generations to come. If you get one or two to pick up some of the traditions that you liked as kids, or young adults, then you are making those memories come alive again. Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely Norma. Someday WE will be the memories for someone. I sure hope they are good.
      Merry Christmas to you and your family.

      Delete
  9. Thank you for bringing back Christmas pasts for me, too. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Childhood Christmas was magical. I remember one year, we were at my grandmother's and I got snap together 'pearls' and a faux mink stole. I was in heaven!

    Merry Christmas Cheryl!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheri I bet you were the belle of the ball!!! What a sweet memory!
      Merry Christmas

      Delete
  11. Merry Christmas to you and your whole family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kris. The same to you and yours. God bless.

      Delete
  12. Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories of Christmas. :) It sounds like you and I had very similar experiences (except we had no snow) and I too had homemade Barbie clothes that my mom made for me. :) Wishing you and your hubby a very Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Debbie. I am so glad that you have fond memories as well. I know there are many that don't.
      Merry Christmas to you and your family.

      Delete