No Place Like Home~ hosted by Sandi!
When it comes to family, our's is very small.I was an only child and you can see above we enjoyed Christmas with my parents every year. For the first 40 years of our marriage we would go to mom and dad's for Christmas.. and it was wonderful because they lived next to Grandma who lived until 1988 and our daughter got to know her and the whole clan as they would trickle by during the holidays. In 1997 my parents moved here, and even though they were in their late 70's and 80's they still wanted us to come to their home on Christmas Eve, and it was then I started doing Christmas Day brunch. Amanda left home for college the same year I retired in 2003, and Christmas vacation was about the only time of the year we really got to visit with her, so we really tried to make Christmas beautiful and special. We enjoyed our times with her and her fiancee at Christmas, for Amanda is our only child and Josh is our beloved now son-in-law! They married in 2005, and now live in New England.
But in 2013, dad passed , and even though we expected to go to NE to see the kids, since it was early Dec. Amanda came home and brought her wee one! We had a glorious time, especially once Joshua joined up and we were a complete little family of 5 in 2 generations.!
In keeping with a family tradition we all went to a grand Hotel here in town to enjoy the festivities there.
We spent Christmas Day that year with mother at the Nursing Home. That was the first and last time she saw her great grand daugther
That next Christmas the kids came again for Mom's funeral.
How wonderful it was to have our angel with us that year!
And ever since we have gone to New England over the holidays until this year. It is wonderful to plan a Christmas for just the two of us, HUbs has sat with me to enjoy a Hallmark or two! But it is sad, too. But on Christmas Day at Brunch time, we are face timing with the kids, enjoying our separate brunches and opening gifts!. Then I will probably go to my bed and have a bit of a cry.
But cheer up, I am planning a dinner here the week after Christmas with friends. Many of our friends do not have much family either, so we enjoy having a special Christmas dinner with them! Here are my prayer gals... We always get together over the holidays,, not yet this year, but we will soon!
and ever since covid we havent seen any of these... I miss them so much!!!!
And when we are alone, the fire offers solace, warmth and peace.. a wonderful time for reflection and cocoa!
Such lovely memories. I think most of us, no matter the size of our families, may indulge in a bit of a cry or at least a good mope this Christmas. So much is different, so much loss, but the Lord is still on his throne and he is faithful and good...and those grandchildren sure to help to chase the blues away.
ReplyDeleteSweet and precious memories!Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI love your traditions and family memories. I am very sorry that you won't be able to be together with your family this Christmas, but here's hoping and praying that things will start getting back to normal in the new year once this vaccine starts getting around and people start fighting back and getting strong again. Praying your Christmas day will be filled with joy of celebrating the Savior's birth with each other and with your kiddos via zoom or however you do it. Yes, things are different this year, but Jesus is still the same, yesterday, today and forever. Praise God. I enjoyed your pictures and stories. Thank you for sharing your life with us!!
ReplyDeleteFamily is everything. I like the picture of your mom with your grand daughter!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these memories. I enjoyed hearing your stories of days of Christmas past.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe and happy Christmas!
Wonderful memories! A very Merry Christmas to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteFamily traditions change and adapt as the years pass. It was interesting to read of yours. Enjoy this new version of celebrating the day. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteLovely post. Merry Christmas. Visiting from No Place like Home.
ReplyDeleteCovid has done a super job of ruining everyone's holiday this year. It has been a difficult year for everyone, but our Lord Jesus never changes, and we can count on Him to bring us joy and peace in the midst of all of this mess.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed your photos of family and traditions over the years. We always have our memories with us. No one can take those away from us. Soon, you will be able to gather with your prayer ladies and your daughter and her family. Thanks for sharing with us. Merry Christmas, Scotzy! Hugs...Sandi
Yes, Schotzy, this is a year that many of us will reflect back on all those family gatherings with gratefulness and yearning.
ReplyDeleteMay the quietness at our tables bring us comfort and joy from above ...
Bless you!
Yes, Schotzy, this is a year that many of us will reflect back on all those family gatherings with gratefulness and yearning.
ReplyDeleteMay the quietness at our tables bring us comfort and joy from above ...
Bless you!