Tuesday, December 2, 2008

WhoVille, Oklahoma

The Turkey & Carb Fest, Black Friday, Cyber Monday...yep, they're already past and the Christmas Season is in full swing. It surely comes sooner every year! And I hate to say this, but the older I get, the less I feel like holidaying.I sure don't want to turn into one of those scroogy old folks who head off to Cancun for Christmas. It doesn't help that I'm dealing with a whopper of a cold right now. But doggone it, I scheduled my extra holiday time off for this week so I could deck the halls and by golly-fa-la-la, I was determined to get it done and over with.

I wearily put the tree together & fluffed it out. Carelessly wound some lights around it. And then -- oh my gosh, as I type this, I'm realizing I had a Grinch Experience! (cue WhoVille song) As I started unpacking ornaments, the memory reel started rolling. My heart grew warmer and redder and bigger and stronger! (maybe it was the fever, but no matter).
  Isn't it funny how fragile, cheesy, cheap, gaudy Christmas ornaments carry so much power as to trigger warm fuzzies of Christmas past? For example: below is my all time favorite - a pear shaped glass & guess what's inside? YES, a partridge in a pear tree! Joe bought it for me, I don't remember the year, maybe '76,'77? I don't know what it is about this particular ornament, but I feel that young man's love all over again when I see it.

After the overwhelming success of the Partridge in a Pear Tree, he began a tradition of buying me a special ornament every year. Lately, we've been picking them out together. Last year, it was this cute penguin couple. Awwww!!


Memories....

1975 - our 2nd Christmas, but the first one that we could afford to buy each other presents.

1979 - the Christmas I was pregnant; our last Christmas a deaux. Wow, next Christmas, this ornament will be 30! Is that considered vintage?

I just love this angel sitting so delicately on the moon. I had seen it at Marshal Field's (late 70's) & mentioned to a friend how I wanted to go back & buy it. Our office had an ornament exchange & she made sure I got this one. I always put it on the tree last & always near the top. I've lost touch with that group but this ornament always reminds me of them.

A glass globe, given by a friend who has a great heart for missions, to remind us of why the Babe was born.

Gifts from loved ones and friends, ornaments bought at special Christmases, or as souvenirs from special places. They all represent love in some fashion. And rightfully so. It was Love that started this whole crazy thing!

2 comments:

HighDLife said...

OK, I really enjoyed the walk down memory lane. Thanks.

My World said...

Amazing photos, thoughts, which all seemed to plug in the extension cord on my own 8mm movie memories of Christmas. Thanks, Connie.