This year I have decided to enjoy the holidays.
This year I have decided to decorate the house and sing carols.
This year I went to a craft party full of laughing women. Eating, drinking, cooing at babies, swapping tales. Being in the comfort of women, I am reminded of my family. Their stories, their crafts, and I am ready.
This weekend I pull out the plastic bin labeled X-Mas and as I unwrap goodies I think about their origins.
Hand-carved Santas lovingly crafted by my grandfather for my grandmother (and passed to me)
Jolly wooden train in which small fake presents ride the rails
Stuffed snowman with shovel from J’s mom
Shiny tiled snowman won at white elephant party of years past, making me think of J’s sad face upon realization that it doesn’t plug in and light up
Candy cane candle
And ornaments for the tree- a mismatch bunch of treasures from grandparents on both sides, parents, gifts (blinking Steeler’s football snowman, our first Christmas 2003, felt skates)
All these items are only valuable to me because they remind me who I am, where I came from, where I’m going.
This year I’m going to embrace the season.
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4 comments:
I felt that way too when we were there...it was like I remember Christmas and friends, but where had I let all that enjoyment go in the hurry from one thing to another?
I'll try and slow you down to enjoy it if you'll do the same for me - deal?
GJ
I'm with you this year. We need to get a tree and get it soon.
ditto to what GJ said I think we hurry too much in the season. I'll sit down with a cup of tea every night and admire the quiet of the lights and the memories embedded in those ornaments of x-mas' already past... that's my plan. thanks for the reminder.
fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!
i love the memories that come with the season. the little dude remembered every ornament we pulled out of the box.
it's good to focus on the things that are near and dear to your heart, things only attained by love and good cheer, not cash!
all my love to you my sweet faraway sister.
merry christmas.
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