From Kelly
tinsel trees. growing up girl. happy
Growing up Christmas was always the time of year I loved the most. My parents always made the season so magical. Dad would take us out to cut the tree. Popcorn and cranberries on strings and plenty of twinkle lights that danced above our heads on the nights we slept under the tree.
Christmas meant long weeks of no school. Dad tying the sled and tobaggan onto the bumper of the car. He would take us out on the back roads and pull us, whipping us around corners and sometimes hitting a dry patch of pavement, sparks flying off the metal rungs of the sled. Each of us squealing and laughing behind the car just as dad did driving his pixies all over the snow covered county rodes. My mom would have hot cider or hot chocolate waiting on the stove when we got home.
Christmas always meant Midnight mass, headlights dancing against the sparkling snow as we drove home in the wee hour and setting out milk and cookies for Santa before we headed to our cold beds. My dad, being as silly as me, one year suggested that Santa just might like a beer and pretzels. Sure enough the next morning the beer was drained and no pretzels left on the plate.
My brother would come and wake my sister Erin and I to go see what Santa brought us. Each year we would get up so early and rush to the living room to see our gifts spawled out. The twinkle lights greeted us and in our house, Santa always left our gifts unwrapped. It truly was the most exciting time of the year.
Our Christmases were always simple. But my parents has this knack (no matter how stressed or broke they were) to make each year full of wonder. Sitting here looking at my little white tree twinkling by the fireplace and holding all the shiny brites that i have collected, the gifts that are all wrapped and waiting for the kids to arrive back home tomorrow morning. I think back and am so thankful that I was gifted amazingly happy memories of this season. A deep breath in and allowing the goodness to setlle into my heart.
No matter what or how you celebrate during this month. I wish mostly for each of you, our world, the joy, peace and wonder of what this life is meant to be.
much peace. kelly
From Liz
The childhood home I still dream about
In the house we lived in from the time I was about 3 until I was 11 (my favorite house; the house that sneaks into my dreams; the house I one day want to build), there was an area that was almost like a balcony near the top of the steps. It was right outside my bedroom. I could sit on this balcony of sorts and see all the way down the steps into the living room. This meant that on Christmas morning, if I was really quiet, I could sit there and peek to see what might be under the tree.
On Christmas morning in 1985, my eyes spied Cabbage Patch Kid twins! I recognized that big box right away. I remember sitting there mesmerized, looking at their little matching blue velvet outfits. I couldn't wait until my parents woke up so I could speed down the steps and take them out of the box to play with them!
When I am really excited about something, I'm one of those people who doesn't always show it on the outside. But on the inside, when I am aflutter with joy and excitement, it often feels like it did on Christmas morning 1985.
As you celebrate in your corner of the world, may you stand tall in the light that surrounds you and is within you. Yes.
Love and light to you,
Liz
chickadee road
