STROLLING THROUGH MY CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

 

Me, way back when.....

I always get a little sentimental around the holidays, but this year that seems to be magnified. Maybe it's my age, or maybe it's because this is my first Christmas without any living parents. Even though I didn't spend every Christmas with them since leaving home, it was always a comfort to know they were just a phone call away.

The Christmas's of my childhood were magical. My Mom did everything she could to make them special. Decorations all over the house, special foods, and Santa always left a special gift and stuffed stocking for each of us. We spent the majority of my childhood Christmas's at my Nannie Levy's, those trips were full of family, fun and food. My head has so many Christmas memories bouncing around in it this year, and even though I may shed a few tears, I laugh and smile too. Thankfully I have a husband who will listen to me ramble on about things that happened decades ago in another province.  

My last Christmas living at home in Nova Scotia before moving to Ontario was in 1988. After spending two Christmas's in Ontario with my older brother Jeff, I returned home for Christmas in 1991. My Mom was so excited she literally jumped up and down with joy when she saw me coming down the escalator at the Halifax airport. Little did we know at the time, but her joy was about to double. On Christmas Eve the back door opened and my brother walked through it. It was a surprise to all of us, even me. That Christmas was thirty years ago this year. That was the last Christmas all four of us were together. It was thirty years ago, but I can remember that evening like it was yesterday. If you would like to read more about that Hallmark Christmas moment, click here. 

I traveled home a few more times over the years at Christmas time, but the two dates that stand out the most are 2010, the last Christmas with my Mom, and 2017 when Dad, Rob, and I all flew to Alberta to spend Christmas with Jeff and his family, the last time the three of us would be together.   

Last Xmas with Mom, 2010. We had no idea how sick she was at the time. 

Christmas 2017

When Dad passed away this past April I went digging through old photo albums, where I found these pictures of my brother and I. I have no idea what year it is or who took them, but they make me smile. 

 

Christmas was, is, and will always be a special time of year, even though it changes. This year, again, is going to be a very different Christmas for us all, but I will do as I was raised to do, "make the best of it", and I hope you do too.

I've blogged about Christmas a few times over the years, I've included the links to previous years if you're so inclined. 

2009 - Pot of Gold

2011 - Time - The Greatest Gift

2013 - An Old Christmas Card

2015 - Christmas Changes

2017 - Christmas Cards, a Lost Tradition?