There is almost no time that I miss my folks as much as I do at Christmas. So today to give me a gift more priceless than anything under the tree, my hubby took out all my mom's old ornaments and a few delicate ones from our past years and he arranged them all in our china cabinet where I could see them and know they are safe from the threat of breaking. Really? I almost cried.
All the ornaments below were on the trees of my childhood. Some are over 60 years old. I could not buy any now that I would cherish more.
Ornaments from our first year of marriage.
This old crackled beauty is my favorite of my mothers.
See what I saw when I walked in the dining room? Do you ever feel life is so good you just know something is going to happen that will burst it? Now I have been married a long time and know that things do come to our lives that seem to shake us but for right now, this season, I am so truly blessed.
We have our problems like everyone else. Raising a family is hard work but I sure do savor this time of year and all that it holds. The memories we cherish and knowing we will make new ones this year.
I am a child at Christmas. For that one day I refuse to grow up. I relish the gifts and the kids and our dog who somehow knows it is a day like no other and always roams threw the wrapping on the floor on Christmas morn, her tail just wagging going to each of us with her Christmas greeting. Maybe it is that she knows there is always a special treat under the tree for her on the day the humans take all the boxes and rip them apart making a huge mess of the den.
I had a wonderful weekend of simple pleasures. Lunch with my good friends and children running through my house making a mess in every room. It was all good. It was how it should be. A party for a friend's birthday and a day of wrapping today and putting some of the final touches on the house. We are all shaken this week but I don't know about you but I have to put it out of my mind as much as I can. Sadness like that is so consuming. Of course we cannot escape, but my children deserve a life of hope and a wonderful Christmas, not fear and overwhelming sadness. We have discussed it, prayed for the families and reminded ourselves of the blessings we have. We will savor this Christmas I think, just a little bit more.
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22 comments:
Beautiful Elaine!
Hugs,
Kris
What a wonderful thing your husband did for you! He sure is a keeper! You must have been so surprised when you saw the china cabnet. It sounds like a wonderful weekend. So much fun. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Teresa
It is nice to be a child at christmas and it is time to be with family.
Merle....
Your husband is so very thoughtful.
What a sweet post, Elaine and what a wonderful husband you have. I love the ornaments from your family. They are beautiful and special in so many ways.
Hugs,
Laura
That is so touching that your hubby did that for you! What a lovely holiday home! I agree, in such sadness we must let a glimmer of hope shine through for our families! Very nice post!
How wonderful that your husband is sensitive to your feelings about your parents and wanted to lift your spirits with that gesture.
Hope you have a good week preparing for the big day with your family. I'm looking forward to seeing my son and his new wife. It's only been 4 months, but I miss him!
Your ornaments are so precious. I love them and how they are placed so special in the china cabinet. Beautiful keepsakes and memories. I so agree, we need to enjoy our families and not be overcome with total sadness because of such a horrible event. I have prayed too and stop often during the day to pray again, then I must continue on. God Bless and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. Hugs, Marty
Good Morning, Elaine,
Thank you for your thoughtful post. I found it so grounded...so uplifting. It's times like we've experience this past week that remind us of the things that are precious. Faith, family, friends.
Blessings to you and hug that sweet husband of yours...He's a keeper!
Merry Christmas!
Carolynn xxx
I think our precious memories past and the one's we continue make are so important in life. Great post! Big Hugs, Linda
What a treasure you have in the ornaments, but esp in the memories. I'm with you about the consuming sadness ... I just have to turn off the news coverage, say a prayer each time it comes to mind, & love on my family as much as I can. Merry Christmas.
What a beautiful thing your husband did for you.. Im right there with you. I miss my parents all the time but Christmas is always when it hits the hardest.. You're so lucky to have all those wonderful ornaments from your childhood.. I have many many of mine as well along with a lot of the ceramic items my made when we were kids. She was big into ceramic classes when I was a little girl and I am so grateful now that she was because now each year I get to bring them all out and remember..
Robyn
I have had to shut the TV off to block out the sadness this weekend with exception of watching The Christmas Carol last night. I think it is OK not to dwell. It doesn't mean you don't care.
I love your old ornaments. Vintage ornaments are the best! So sweet of your husband to display them for you :)
Keeping the child within alive is a challenge, one well worth meeting.
This is such a touching post, the perfect thing at such a sad time. We are at the exact same place right now, wanting to treasure every moment and feeling so grateful for each blessing. Merry Christmas to you and your sweet, sweet family.
xoxo, Andrea
Your Hubby is so sweet to you.
I don't blame you one bit...putting those cares aside, so that caring for your family can happen freely is sometimes necessary. It is part of moving on...and so so much a part of cherishing our family.
Very sweet and touching post, Elaine. I love your vintage ornaments. I would love to find some! I wish I knew what my mom did with all of her ornaments from the sixties.
xo,
RJ
That's a very sweet husband! :)
What a special gift your husband is to you and to surprise you with something that would put a smile on your heart. Merry Christmas to you.
Danielle
What a wonderful post. I too say multiple prayers throughout the day, but do so without the tv on in
the background. The sadness is just too much to bear. Didn't your
husband's gesture just make you fall in love with him all over again? Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
I feel exactly the same way.
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