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Christmas Memories

12/17/2013

13 Comments

 
Picture
Last week I did some Christmas shopping. The stores weren’t crazy busy, but there were a fair amount of shoppers – mothers with toddlers in tow, grandparents searching for a special toy, couples, and singles. I remembered shopping trips with the kids, trying to navigate a toddler and a stroller, with Allan to buy all the toys because we had a babysitter for just one night, and by myself on Christmas Eve for that one last gift. I listened to Christmas music in my car – Amahl and the Night Visitors (a recording made after the first live television broadcast in 1951). I remembered first watching this wonderful opera on the small black and white Philco in the house on 5th Street, and then in the basement of the house on Parkside Road until it was no longer televised. And all the while I found myself a little weepy. For no reason and without warning my eyes would fill with tears, yet I didn’t feel sad. But I think now I have it figured out, thanks to Cynthia Rylant.

            On Saturday I was unpacking the Christmas books to place around the house. As I sat with my second cup of coffee I pulled out Children of Christmas: Stories for the Season, a 1987 publication by Rylant containing six short holiday stories. It was a gift from my mother when the kids were little, and I like to think she guided me to it that morning. I opened to “For Being Good,” sat back, and began to read. It is the story of Philip whose grandfather is coming to spend Christmas with him and his parents. The grandfather’s wife has recently died, and he is alone. Philip has not spent much time with his grandfather, so he is shy and maybe just a little scared, not knowing what to expect. The grandfather is quiet, interacts a little, but spends a lot of time alone. The explanation Philip’s parents give is that he misses his wife. But, as we soon find out, it is more than that. On Christmas Eve on his way to bed, Philip stops by his grandfather’s room with a small ball of cookie dough he wrapped in foil and saved when he and his mother were baking cookies, just in case his grandfather might like it. Philip finds his grandfather on the rocking chair hugging a picture. But it isn’t a picture of his wife as we might expect, it is a picture of Philip’s father when he was a little boy.

            And that is when it hit me. I miss the times when the kids were little, when our family traditions were just being established. I miss not just the kids who are grown and gone, or my parents who are no longer on this earth – I miss it all. That’s why traditions are important, and that’s why my daughter still insists that we hang the stockings that grandmother made, that our tree has the ornaments she and her brother made in nursery school, and that we have Christmas Eve dinner with just us. It’s why I bake the peanut blossoms and the sugar cookies with sprinkles, and why we add a new ornament to the tree each year, signifying something special from the year before. And that’s why the tears are OK – they are tears from the heart, from the warm memories I will carry with me forever.


13 Comments
Digital Bonnie link
12/16/2013 11:05:35 pm

I love reading posts about the history of Christmas in families. I watch this holiday and appreciate what it means to many people. So enjoy this one and the memories of the past.
I LOVE Christmas music and yes, I blast it out of my car radio.

Reply
arjeha link
12/16/2013 11:06:35 pm

What a lovely post. I also remember watching Amahl for many years. You are right, Christmas is about traditions, old memories, and making new memories.

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Stacey link
12/17/2013 12:27:42 am

First, WELCOME to our writing community. I'm so glad you're joining us, Rose!

Second, the traditions you have at Christmas time are beautiful. I love how have a small dinner on Christmas Eve. What a lovely tradition to continue. (I know your family is growing with the marriage of your son next year. However, even when it grows by one, and then another, and then hopefully some grandkids, it will still be small and special.)

Reply
elsie
12/17/2013 01:27:40 am

I understand what you mean. Life has a way of changing, but yet there are some things that remain constant. Those traditions are priceless. Welcome to slicing!

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Dana Murphy link
12/17/2013 01:58:36 am

Welcome to our Slicing community!!

This is beautiful, and it's like a journey of your thoughts. It makes me feel so emotional to read this and think that I'm just beginning this journey with my girls (ages 4 and 1). Thanks for sharing your memories and feelings with us!

Reply
Terje
12/17/2013 02:45:25 am

I like how you structured your slice - the present and the past mixing and helping you sort your thoughts and feelings. There is a sad sweetness in your words and a hopeful joy in keeping the tradition of hanging the ornaments and baking cookies.

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Bernadette link
12/17/2013 04:29:43 am

You write beautifully and this post really hit me hard. I just told my husband that I miss my children. He replied that I see them all the time. But what I meant was my little children.
Bernadette

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Tammy and Clare link
12/17/2013 06:20:49 am

Rose, this is beautiful. I just made cookies with my 14 year old son --he insists on making just the one kind he used to make when he was little for Christmas. I have a million things to do, but you just reminded me why it is important that I put it all aside and spend time with him on our traditions. Thank you.
Clare

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Rose link
12/17/2013 06:28:46 am

Thanks, Clare. I appreciate the thoughts and encouragement from both you and Tammy! Have a wonderful holiday.

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writekimwrite
12/17/2013 06:29:52 am

What a lovely SOLS debut. I, too enjoyed the way you wove a present day experience with traditions of the past. That Cynthia Rylant is such a blessing!

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Judy C.
12/17/2013 07:01:42 am

Thanks for your slice, Rose, it reminds me of time past with my parents and grandparents and my "little" kids. Now we spend time with our "big" kids and our grandchildren. Traditions continue and new ones are made. Welcome to our community of writers.

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Linda Baie link
12/17/2013 08:44:06 am

Welcome, Rose! It is a nostalgic time as well as a joyous time, as you so craftily wrote. Memories all mixed up with the moments today. I had a large extended family & remember such fun there on Christmas, then with my husband's family & my own, a little smaller, but traditions! Now am making my own, and my son & family are arriving Friday, my daughter & family who live near will join us & we'll do what we do-some of those same ornaments & cookies come along, but new ones arrive too because they are different people. Thanks for reminding of the wonderful mixture that is Christmas!

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Ramona link
12/17/2013 09:19:58 pm

Rose, welcome to our community! You've inspired me to spend my writing time this holiday season with a focus on memories and traditions. I'm looking forward to leaving my writer's notebook visible as a daily reminder. Thanks for reminding us that tears are okay during this season of happiness and joy.

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