Thursday, November 22, 2007

Tis' the Season to be Jolly...




What is it about this time of year? Christmas is magical. I love, love, love this time of the year. I am a sucker for carols and twinkle lights. As I was guiltily putting out our Christmas decorations, a week before the official start of the season, my thoughts wandered as they often do and I realized that Chritmas is so special to me because it holds so may sweet memories.

Ryan proposed to me in front of my parent's Christmas tree, and just sitting in the soft glow of these lights reminds me of that moment. One of my ornaments is a little fuzzy dog in a basket. I have had it since, well... as long as I can remember, and hanging it is like holding my childhood in my hands. I hang up old stockings and remember my sisters and I sneaking down the stairs long before dawn to see if Santa had come yet and filled them. I wear cozy flannel pajamas and think of the tradition in my family of opening one gift on Chritmas Eve which was always new jammies.

I think what touches me most though are all the things at this time of year which remind me of my Nana. I have my Nana's silver sleigh bells, and when they ring I can see her house in my mind. I smile when I hang up the stocking she crocheted for me, knowing that my hands are touching something that hers once touched. When we used to go visit her on Saturdays we would drive home at night and count all the houses with Christmas lights on them. My mom later confessed that she did this to keep my sisters and I awake, but it is still one of my favorite memories. All these little things help me to feel connected to her even though she is no longer with us.

What is one of your favorite Christmas memories?