An old African proverb says; “When an old person dies a library closes”. You, my friend, have added a book to your library that your grand twins will read to their children…and their children…and their children…
Love how excited the grandkids are to partake in this tradition! I have no elves. My adult kids live far away but with luck, they will be home this Christmas so that does make things merry and bright!
Ah, so that's who the elves are! :D My husband is Korean-American and a tree was never part of his jam, growing up, and my son has also been indifferent. And while I like doing a tree, undoing it also looms. So we have had very few trees. As a late-breaking mother I may well not be around or ept for trees with far-off grandchildren. But such is life.
We put up a tree against our own religious convictions (Jesus was born in the spring. The SPRING, I tell you.) that fundamentalists drag around like a tail. I realized in my young adulthood that a ceremony that lights the darkest part of the year is cool, whether it's to welcome Baby Jesus or Santa. I don't go crazy but I do like the rituals, such as I've been able to form.
We weren’t religious growing up but we celebrated Christmas with a tree (devoid of any religious ornamentation). When I was in grade school I had some Baha’i and Jewish friends who would invite themselves over when we decorated the tree. In return I got invited to celebrate with their families on some of their holidays. A couple of those years included two foreign UConn students we rented rooms to, interestingly an Indian guy and a Pakistani guy who were good friends. At first they were all shy to participate but pretty soon I had to elbow my way into the tree to get to hang any ornaments.
We still get psyched when we go to get our tree which includes cranking up a Christmas mix we made years ago. Nothing puts us in the holiday spirit like,
Ok, It's not Christmas music but my favorite Nat King Cole album and one of my If stuck on a desert island albums, "After Midnight. The Complete Sessions". I owe my parents for this one since I was four when it came out. When I was in my twenties my roommates would look at me like I had two heads if I had this on. Now they all own a copy. Like Ella, I've always enjoyed Nat most singing when backed by small combos. Plus there's his piano playing which is overlooked. If you're not familiar with it then consider the recommendation a gift (I'm cheap that way). Merry Christmas!
So not only have you gained assistants and heirs to a family tradition you hold dear, you’ve enhanced the lives of everyone they touch and developed their own gifts for mythmaking… your distant cousin twice removed Joseph would be proud indeed.
Very sorry to hear about family challenges; prayers up and good vibes sent for a salubrious outcome for you and all, and wishes for a very happy holiday season to come as well!
Thank you, friend. The best part about family challenges is that occasionally you can see over the horizon and know that if things stink now, they will be OK eventually.
You are creating beautiful memories with them that they will cherish their whole lives and pass on to their children and grandchildren. I hope the unpleasant things get resolved to everyone's satisfaction, but that's part of life, too, I guess.
Thank you. We are going through things every family goes through. Nothing fatal. And after we decorated the tree, we went ice skating in Bushnell Park. And it snowed. What could be more awesome?
An old African proverb says; “When an old person dies a library closes”. You, my friend, have added a book to your library that your grand twins will read to their children…and their children…and their children…
Thank you so much. What a beautiful proverb.
It sure does! You are blessed.
Love how excited the grandkids are to partake in this tradition! I have no elves. My adult kids live far away but with luck, they will be home this Christmas so that does make things merry and bright!
It really helps to fill up a house at the holidays, doesn't it? Ten-year old twins have a way of doing that.
Ah, so that's who the elves are! :D My husband is Korean-American and a tree was never part of his jam, growing up, and my son has also been indifferent. And while I like doing a tree, undoing it also looms. So we have had very few trees. As a late-breaking mother I may well not be around or ept for trees with far-off grandchildren. But such is life.
We put up a tree against our own religious convictions (Jesus was born in the spring. The SPRING, I tell you.) that fundamentalists drag around like a tail. I realized in my young adulthood that a ceremony that lights the darkest part of the year is cool, whether it's to welcome Baby Jesus or Santa. I don't go crazy but I do like the rituals, such as I've been able to form.
We weren’t religious growing up but we celebrated Christmas with a tree (devoid of any religious ornamentation). When I was in grade school I had some Baha’i and Jewish friends who would invite themselves over when we decorated the tree. In return I got invited to celebrate with their families on some of their holidays. A couple of those years included two foreign UConn students we rented rooms to, interestingly an Indian guy and a Pakistani guy who were good friends. At first they were all shy to participate but pretty soon I had to elbow my way into the tree to get to hang any ornaments.
We still get psyched when we go to get our tree which includes cranking up a Christmas mix we made years ago. Nothing puts us in the holiday spirit like,
“Mambo Santa Claus” by Big John Glover
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ny2L4nUqazc
Or “Christmas Day” by Detroit Junior.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDhxLfiPPzk
There’s all kinds of traditions. Wishing you all Happy Holidays and a Cool Yule!
Oh! I still have Christmas mix tapes a friend made for me every year for like 15 years. I treasure them, but Nat King Cole is my go-to.
Ok, It's not Christmas music but my favorite Nat King Cole album and one of my If stuck on a desert island albums, "After Midnight. The Complete Sessions". I owe my parents for this one since I was four when it came out. When I was in my twenties my roommates would look at me like I had two heads if I had this on. Now they all own a copy. Like Ella, I've always enjoyed Nat most singing when backed by small combos. Plus there's his piano playing which is overlooked. If you're not familiar with it then consider the recommendation a gift (I'm cheap that way). Merry Christmas!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvxaYNv7fsI&list=PLNBdutoYm-Vb5UuAFW9GWwjv4ZfFv1KV5
So not only have you gained assistants and heirs to a family tradition you hold dear, you’ve enhanced the lives of everyone they touch and developed their own gifts for mythmaking… your distant cousin twice removed Joseph would be proud indeed.
Very sorry to hear about family challenges; prayers up and good vibes sent for a salubrious outcome for you and all, and wishes for a very happy holiday season to come as well!
Thank you, friend. The best part about family challenges is that occasionally you can see over the horizon and know that if things stink now, they will be OK eventually.
Trying to work out why the Italians gave you an Eiffel Tower ornament. Aha! You were spying on the French for them! I should have known!
If you’re looking for logic in the stuff I make up, you will be very disappointed. I know I am.
I could not love this more! ❤
This story pleases me ♥️
Aw, thank you, friend Mike.
You are creating beautiful memories with them that they will cherish their whole lives and pass on to their children and grandchildren. I hope the unpleasant things get resolved to everyone's satisfaction, but that's part of life, too, I guess.
Thank you. We are going through things every family goes through. Nothing fatal. And after we decorated the tree, we went ice skating in Bushnell Park. And it snowed. What could be more awesome?
They make the season -- what's the word? -- bright.