I opened an email recently that I thought was not important, but it made me curious. The ad was promoting a site that sold vintage Christmas ornaments and decorations. At first, I was quite shocked at the prices, some as much as $100 for two small blown glass ornaments from the 50s, but I continued to scroll through the inventory. It was like a trip down memory lane.
Not only were many of the ornaments familiar, but so were the original boxes and the now clunky looking strands of lights. I must confess that I looked at each of the nearly 500 items on the site. And I stopped to get a better look at the most familiar ones. I recalled the delicate ornaments making their way onto our family Christmas tree each year of my childhood and each year that my father was alive during my adult life as well. The perk of the adult years was that I was now old enough, and maybe responsible enough to help in the placement of these tiny treasures from decades ago.
The trimming of the tree was a highlight of our holiday season. As a child, I watched in awe as my father toiled over the project. Then in later years, he did more watching as the next generation carefully places lights, ornaments, and then tensil carefully on the tree. And it was an unwritten rule that this was the order of the process! Now the ornaments, lights, and tinsel are all gone, and so are Dad and Mom. But the memories of those winter nights in central Ohio will live on in my heart forever.
I don’t think of those special times every day or even every week. But when something triggers a memory, like a vintage Christmas tree ornament, I can’t help but smile and get drawn back into a time so long ago. On those occasions, I am so thankful for the true gifts my parents gave to me each holiday season and throughout the year. My history is full of rich and vivid memories of the time that we shared together. I can feel the warmth of their smiles and the love in their hearts. And once again, I am reminded that I am never alone. They are always with me in my heart and in my memories.
Oh, my goodness, I so love this because I can go back to a time very similar to what you describe here, Kathy. Heartwarming for sure and much appreciated!!!! This is another one of your posts to save and savor as a reminder not to let the Christmas rush overtake the meaning and memories of what Christmas is really all about. xxxooo
There is a song, the words said, “memories don’t live like people do, they always stay with you.” Our brain is programmed to hold on to the good and bad memories. One will bring us joy and the other pain. And for some of us, as we age, our memories are all we got left, and some use it to give themself joy. Use your good memories for happiness, the sad ones use it as a guide.