a tale of tails, tenacity, and tedium, as told by me, usually barefoot and bellowing

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Christmas Approaches...

I am not getting the Christmas Spirit thing.  Maybe I need a visit from the three ghosts of Christmas and remember Christmas is not about gifts and spending but rather about family, friends and sharing.

Mother carried the traditions and Daddy loved the holiday.  He always cut the largest tree he could find that would fit in our house.  "We may not have lots of gifts but we can have a big tree". 

The tree cutting was a ceremony unto itself.  Many trees were spared from the brush hog during the year because they were a potential Christmas tree.  We have always had red cedars so the smell alone brings Christmas to mind.

Wrapped in many layers of clothes and armed with hand saws, we searched.  Daddy led the way but always let us choose which one.  After choosing, chopping and sawing, we would drag the tree back to the house, hoping it would fit. We always had to trim it some and it was always tied into a corner so the huge thing would not fall.

Some times we would decorate with pop corn strings or paper chains made lovingly with care.  Then the antique lights and ropes were added because they had always been in the family.  Ornaments, each with a story were added.  The final touch was icicles, the clingy plastic kind they use to make.  My favorite was Grandma's bubble lights. 

Mom and Dad are gone.  Christmas is not the same and I find it difficult to start the season even with grandchildren.

I wish I could make all Christmas wishes come true.  I wish I could give everyone what they need for Christmas.  I believe this has a name, Holiday Blues and I have a bad case.

14 comments:

ellen abbott said...

I'm fairly bah humbug about the whole thing but then it is no longer a holiday I choose to celebrate personally.

Pat said...

I really am not in the Christmas spirit, either. Maybe it's because I don't put up any decorations. Not because I don't want to, mind you. It's because I have no room to store them in the trailer AND because we fly home for Christmas every year. I've done my shopping, and just have to pick up a couple more things. Maybe it's because we'll be home for two weeks, and it is stuffed to the gills with running around. I don't see how we can fit everything in. And, the holidays are hard when we have lost someone that we love. In the last 14 years, we have lost 5 family members - both my parents, 2 brothers-in-laws, and 1 sister-in-law. But we've added lots of nieces/nephews through marriage, and tons of kids. So that's the upside.

So let's put on some cheery Christmas songs, shall we?

Anonymous said...

My parents are gone too and holidays can sometimes be sad BUT just this morning my sister blogged about a memory she had as a child, waiting for mama to bake biscuits each morning and what a simple blessing that was. I could not have children, but I love my nieces and great nieces dearly. Sometimes it's the simple pleasures we share with them that they remember later on. Maybe you could bake with them or make some ornaments and take pictures for their scrapbook. My sis and I wish we had a picture of mama rolling out and cutting her biscuits!!! Hope you feel better soon. Thinking of you today.

Gigi Ann said...

I like Ellen Abbot, personally choose not to celebrate holidays. So no blues here.... Just a blizzard making it's way across Iowa today and tomorrow. So, I'm starting to sing: "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....."

The package arrived yesterday, Thanks to you and Marcy both. Beautiful. Visit http://annsquotesandthings.blogspot.com to see the lovely gifts.

Anonymous said...

I just visited a blog and she shared some fun projects that my younger relatives will enjoy as a family project for the holidays. The address is http://dunghoe.blogspot.com (Sunday's post)

Rudee said...

Sigh...I know just how you feel. In the past 7 years, I've lost both parents, my best friends young daughter and my mother in law. It's just not the same anymore since our family has gotten so small. I try to muster the enthusiasm, but sometimes it feels forced and false.

DesertHen said...

You are not the only one!! I have had a terrible cold, have done no shopping and can't even muster the energy to think about shopping. My daughter started decorating yesterday bless her heart and for that I am greatful! I just didn't have it in me to drag out all of the stuff, put it up, etc....I did hang one ornament on the tree and then burst into tears cause I didn't feel like doing more. I always bake goodies to give as gifts and I don't even feel like doing that yet. I'm all Bah Humbuggie!!

Queen-Size funny bone said...

you are not alone so we now have a christmas humbug club going. christmas brings stress and a lot of expectations. I think I'll sing a few carols and see what that brings.

Melbourne Girl said...

Not sure what it is this year. I love this time of year but am a bit like you Gail and not "getting it" yet. Hopefully I will get in a better festive mood soon. Fingers crossed.
Lesley

Grammy said...

I am queen of bahumbug, But in the past I had to do it for the kids, So I used a palm tree one year and a ficus. It was better for me to be non traditional. Then I incorporated the Hanukkah ideal of 10 days of simple gifts. Socks candy etc. It made the kids happy. But For me there is only a need to be a part of the family and watch the kids enjoy, We have turned it into play and have fun with the kids.

VioletSky said...

I don't have too many fond memories of Christmas (too much family stress) and with such a small family, the five of just get together for an elegant meal. And the presents. I love the presents. I love watching everyone else opening their presents. And then it is all over. A bit anticlimactic, really.

Far Side of Fifty said...

I know your Holiday Blues..Bah Humbug Feelings.. I try to write something each day that looks toward the positive..some days it is really hard. I am always so relieved when it is all over. One should not wish their life away..:)

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

I hear ya Gail.
You just gotta let it go, my friend.

My hubby's an only child and so am I. All his family is gone and I only have my Dad. So my kidlets don't have any extended family so the pressure is on us to give them something special.

But what I've realized is it's not the gifts they want, but the special memories we make together just hanging out together doing holiday traditions.
They will only receive one small gift each this year. And we are keeping everything low key and I'm feeling just fine with that. It feels good to just keep the holidays simple. I think Jesus would approve, too.

~Lisa

Lori E said...

Just like the other comments my childhood was not a pleasant one most Christmases. I made such a conscious decision to make Christmas special for my sons. I don't mean with gifts though they were a bit spoiled. But with traditions, nice smells from the kitchen and holiday music often. When my husband and one of our good friends were both grumpy about Christmas I challenged them to get out and do something themselves to make it special. It greatly improved their Christmas spirits.

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