jsfantome's Journal, 23 Dec 10

Paula, it is so nice to recall childhood memories. My youngest daughter and I were baking this week, (she is 19), and funny how the holidays bring our mind to review our past, because that is exactly what happened, I found myself recalling, not specific holiday memories but memories related to this time of year. Strolling on the beach with my father and the dogs, feeling like we were the only people in the world, looking around at snow on the Dunes...but feeling so safe and secure. Thinking of my mother, who has passed, and how she never knew a stranger, she always had an open house on Christmas Eve, and the house would be full of people, some us kids didn't even know, for my mother met them perhaps at the Grocery Store, and they had no plans, my mother believed no one should be alone at the holiday, and always managed to set an extra plate.. Thanks for allowing me to recall such beautiful and touching times in my life. Hope your Open House goes well. I am the same way...will be doing some prepping, but hate to do too much in advance as I like everything to be fresh, so here's hoping I continue to have insomnia and get my butt up bright and early Sat. Morning, so I can get on top of the game, before everyone arrives. Have a blessed day.  

Good morning, thank you for your lovely comments on my journal. I hope everything goes well for you at your Open House but I am sure it will, you sound very organized and I am sure it will be a lot of fun. Hope you have a lovely Christmas. I don't have specific memories of Christmas but this time of year certainly makes me reflect on times past, and those who are now not with me - mum and dad, my brother, my BIL, SIL ..........we have had a lot of losses. I also think about all the beautiful young men and women who serve in the army of our countries and how so many of them won't be coming home and grieve for them and their families. Christmas is a mixed blessing for me that way, its a lot of fun but also a tinge of sadness when you think of those that are gone. But such is life, ying and yang, etc. I know they are all with me still, in my heart, where we keep each other safe and warm. Have a fabulous day. Hope my post wasn't a downer, it wasn't meant to be. Its my last day of work this year and I can't wait to get home and start to celebrate with my family. 

I miss my Dad! When we were very little, he taught us the song...Silver Bells, and each of us kids (4 of us) had our own little part (...here those sleigh bells go... ring-a-ling) That was my part! I can't remember the words to the rest of the song...except the chorus...and my little part! ;) My Dad loved Christmas! And loved the Lord! Wonder if they celebrate the Lord's Birth in Heaven??? Now there's a thought? And my favorite memory on Christmas Morning...was a year both of my parents were unemployed and money was very tight...in the 70's... my oldest sister, who was working... came in through the middle of the night...and put presents under the tree...filled the fridge and the cupboards w/ groceries...and I got a bicycle that year! I was young..maybe 10-12...but later in life I asked her about that Christmas, and she told me there was one gift for each of us under the tree when she got there - new pj's! I've always remembered her generosity - I never went without as a child - and I think in a lot of ways it is one of the reasons I so enjoy doing for others now. Lots of blessings in my life...and no reason not to give them away with love! 

Paula, my best memory was when my daughter was little! I took so much time when she went to bed Christmas eve night arranging her presents and doing santas foot prints around the room thinking she would be so excited to see those snowy foot prints in the house! Well when she see them she went mad! How dare Santa walk snow all round the house after you hoovered yesterday! He should have used magic to clean up after himself! Well I don't think I ever have laughter so much which made her even more mad! Typical man she said! Lol I never did it again I can tell you! She was only three! Lol  

christmas is always hard for me without my dad. this is the 4th holiday without him. i remember leaving milk, cookies & a beer for santa! (we'd always leave a beer & carrots for the easter bunny!) my dad always ate a ton of my holiday cookies and i still bake huge batches in honor of him. he was my pal, a true best friend and i relied on him to get me thru the holiday drama of my mom and brother. i have so many wonderful memories of him during the holidays and i share those with my kids all the time. i also have many, many lovely holiday memories with my kids and my life would be nothing without the 3 of them -- they are fabulous in every way!! hope everyone has a lovely christmas!! 

My favorite childhood memory that comes to mind right now was when I was 7 or 8 years old. It was late Christmas Eve when we heard a helicopter really close, my mom and dad grabbed my hands and we went running out onto our porch to see the hugest package I had ever seen fall out of the helicopter. We went running down across the lawn and into the pasture and there it was. I had so begged for this life sized doll and was taller than I at the time. I wasn't Santa and the reindeer, but close enough as it was in the sky and flew by.lol My partents had a very dear friend who had his own chopper and they had him do that for me. It was awesome. Sounds foolish now, but it sure wasn't way back then.lol 

Hi Paula, Beautiful entry today. I'm not sure about my favorite memory, but I do remember waking up to living rooms with huge trees, with the most beautiful ornaments, and seas of presents on the floor so huge that it wasn't possible to navigate through them. We had to start at the edges (lol). And, best of all, I always got more presents than anyone else (youngest). :-)  It was always the most exciting day of the year.      

Hi,Paula I remember a time that we didn't have much either. But mama decorated the little 2 foot tree with orange peels, and foil, popcorn, and we made chains with construcion paper. She kept us busy doing things like that. Every Christmas Eve we sang in harmony Christmas songs. To me that was priceless. I miss us singing together more than anything... Bren 

Paula, I love this idea! My favorite Christmas memory was when I was 12. We had just lost our home - and everything in it - due to a housefire. We saw so much of God's love in that most difficult time of our lives. All of the Christmas gifts that my parents had bought,the tree and decorations - were all gone - everything. My dad's students (he was a professor at Liberty University) came over one day to our home (a rental until my parents could find us something more permanent) and they had a huge suprise. They had gone out and cut down a real nice tree and had pitched in and bought all the trimmings for the tree, and together we put it all up in celebration. I remember having felt so despondent and alone - and then the overwhelming feeling that was brought into our lives when those students came over with everything we needed to have some holiday cheer. It was so very humbling that people whom I barely knew would do that for us. I'll never forget the singing, laughter and fellowship we enjoyed that day. Also, many of my parents colleagues created a "money tree" - a small Christmas tree which was decorted with cash and checks - all over - in donation to help us get clothes and basic necessities. Even when things are bad - and we are in despair, God still smiles upon us - and He is ever-faithful.  

These are truly great memories...anyone else want to contribute! (be prepared when you read...may induce laughter and tears!) ...consider yourself forewarned! 

I remember one year when I was about 5! My mum took myself and my 3 brothers to see Santa, and I didn't like him! I took one look and screamed the place down! As my mum took me away this poor old lady in a red coat walked by! And yes you guessed it! I screamed at her as well! Lol well she even had what looked like a beard! Lol my mum was not impressed with me at all! When I got home I opened the present that Santa gave me and it was little pink soaps! 3 of them in the shape of a rose! Well my oldest brother thought they were sweets! Proberly because I told him they were! Lol and he ate them! Lol got told off loads that year! Lol