Mom may have been the daughter of a Buddhist priest, but at Christmas time, she always made sure we had a live Christmas tree at our house. The only gifts we had under the tree were from Aunt Dorothy's family because mom had a sort of agreement with her sister to exchange gifts for the children so it wouldn't be bare under the tree.
My brother, Dennis and I cherished those gifts. I remember a black and white teddy bear one year and a crystal necklace another year. I can still picture that bear and that crystal necklace. I wore it everyday until one day the chain broke and I lost it. Every time I see a crystal necklace, I remember it. Art has bought me many beautiful necklaces, but you know what? It's never quite as sparkly as that Christmas necklace.
My children had a lot of gifts from many friends and relatives in Chicago and Hawaii who showered them with gifts each year. I'm sure it was very expensive to mail those boxes to Illinois from Hawaii.
I know my granddaughter, KC has even more presents, especially since her birthday happens to be in December.
And yet, I wonder if she'll remember those gifts as I do mine from Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Toshi.
(Message to Art: Please don't go out trying to find me a crystal necklace. You're already a gem.)
My brother, Dennis and I cherished those gifts. I remember a black and white teddy bear one year and a crystal necklace another year. I can still picture that bear and that crystal necklace. I wore it everyday until one day the chain broke and I lost it. Every time I see a crystal necklace, I remember it. Art has bought me many beautiful necklaces, but you know what? It's never quite as sparkly as that Christmas necklace.
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| 1982 Christmas in Chicago |
I know my granddaughter, KC has even more presents, especially since her birthday happens to be in December.
And yet, I wonder if she'll remember those gifts as I do mine from Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Toshi.
(Message to Art: Please don't go out trying to find me a crystal necklace. You're already a gem.)
Have a lovely holiday! Yes, you and Art are gems! My kid's got a December birthday, too. Just one big celebration it seems. DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteI realized the other day that there are very few of my own Christmas presents that I still remember. Some of the outstanding ones are because I desired it so badly and then receive it, such as a bride doll with eyes that opened and closed. :-)
ReplyDeleteA treasure of a photo and some lovely memories. Happy holidays to you, Art, your Mom and the whole family :)
ReplyDeleteYep, I know what you mean.
ReplyDeleteI guess that very tree in your sweet photo is one of the few home Christmas trees my Israeli kids ever saw and smelled. 1982 ... Thanks for the memories, Kay.
"Mom may have been the daughter of a Buddhist priest, but at Christmas time, she always made sure we had a live Christmas tree at our house."
ReplyDeleteThat quote reminds me of Daisy's family. She's had an Aunt, and some cousins that got converted to Christianity, but most of the family is Buddhist. One of Daisy's friends (an evangelical baptist, how they're friends I'll never know) knows of my lack of religion, and kept posting comments on facebook asking why we celebrate Christmas. She also used to tell Daisy that she was going down to the fiery underworld because she didn't believe in Jesus.
Luckily we don't talk much anymore.
I miss having a fresh real Christmas tree but do have a real wreath on the front door. thankfully our temps are back to normal at 50 degrees and the snow is melting! I got my Christmas gift yesterday! See my blog for details...
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting the gifts that we remember and I wonder in this society where some have so much abundance, will any of it have value in the years to come?
ReplyDeleteHad to chuckle. I could just see Art heading out the door. What a sweet way to put on the brakes.
ReplyDeleteWonderful memories of Christmas and how the presents we received then had so much staying power.
Have a wonderful Christmas day and coming year.
Lovely memories of Christmas past, I treasured the gifts I received as a child too and still remember them.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your beautiful family a very Merry and Joyous Christmas, Kay!! Thanks for the smiles as always!!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Blessings and Merry Christmas to you and yours. May this season of love be the season that runs through you, your home, your family throughout the year.
ReplyDeletepeace.
We are going through old slides and photos and hope to have time to digitize them while the kids are here. My girls wore overalls like that. But my granddaughters dress very "girly."
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and I hope your Christmasses will always sparkle.
Christmas is such a wonderful time for memories and traditions. We're making new memories and traditions this year as we're spending it with Number Two Son for the first time rather than he and John coming to us. Both my boys have December birthdays too. When they were younger we made sure they got separate present, but as they got older they preferred to combine them for something more expensive. Best wishes to you and Art at this festive time.
ReplyDeleteI love this post. It brings back memories of Christmases long past. I do remember a few special gifts from my childhood, and I hope my kids do too.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of your kids!
I know these children will have lovely memories, and I wish I could hear their favorite Christmases when the are my age.
ReplyDeleteaww, kay, thats so sweeet, he probably will make it his mission! Your children look so cute standing by the tree,
ReplyDeleteLovely memories.... I hope my daughter has some special memories.... I know I do... Happy Holidays Kay.... Michelle
ReplyDelete