Friday, December 13, 2013

~PAST AND PRESENT~

As I sit to admire our Christmas tree..Winslow Homer has tucked himself as near to the wood stove as possible...Andy Williams sings holiday songs in the background...my mind wanders...I remember when I was a young teenager I wanted to marry Andy Williams...I think of Christmas's past and present... 
Christmas is to me a time of sentiment...a time to remember those who have touched our lives and those who... sadly... are no longer with us...December is my favorite month...it  is the month of my birth...but also the month of death... Both sets of grandparents, maternal and paternal ( as well as my dear mother in-law) passed away in the month of December... I find the goodness of this month...December is joyous... it is filled with "hustle and bustle" and the offering of  goodwill to men...It is a time to help those less fortunate...Here at Dog Trot we choose to support local animal shelters and play Secret Santa to the elderly ....I fondly recall those magical childhood Island Christmas's where Thumbelina, Chatty Cathy, Barbie, The Dating Game and Creepy Crawlers came into my life...December meant skating at the "Marsh" on long  moon lit nights...sledding down Roars hill...and building snow forts with my brother...we were "outside" kids...As children we happily participated in our school play and Sunday school pageant...knowing Santa would be making his grand entrance where  each child were given small gifts...Things have certainly changed since those days... I make a point of saying "Merry Christmas"...after all it is the birth of the Christ child...I have much to be thankful for... a loving family... a warm home...food to fill my belly...and most importantly Travis Lloyd who is doing his best to keep me young...December is the month of giving thanks and I thank my lucky stars every day...for both the past and present...   

12 comments:

Prims By The Water said...

I am so tired of being politically correct and make it a point myself to say Merry Christmas to all! My own father past away in December and we buried him on Christmas Eve morn and I also had a birthday this month. We have something in common. I always have something to be thankful for and like you enjoy my grandchildren. Take care and Merry Christmas to you and your family. Janice

Jacque. said...

No words to properly express what I feel after reading this post...but tears in my eyes tell me that it touched me immensely. May your December be everything that you need it to be. xo

Kim said...

Lovely post Julie.

Primitive Stars said...

Evening Julie, such a touching heartwarming post, I truely loved it......December is a wonderful month I agree, celebrating the birth of our Lord Savior, we are blessed...... Keep Cozy, Francine.

acorn hollow said...

Such a lovely post. Merry Christmas to you and your little grandson.
Cathy

annie said...

Lovely post, Julie!
Happy Birthday this month!

Unknown said...

beautifully said...Merry Christmas across the miles....

Margaret said...

Beautiful post! You'll be happy to know here on your island we still do much of that--sleigh riding, Christmas pageants, and collect for LI Harvest, and other groups. The tradition lives! Love your traditions too! We take care of Little Shelter in Huntington and others. Merry Christmas should be proclaimed proudly and joyously! Maggie

Julia said...

What a beautiful post Julie. I hope that December is a balm for your soul and that you continue to experience gratitude for the rest of the year and that your heart will be filled with joy and peace.

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas.
Hugs,
JB

Farm Girl said...

What a lovely post and I love reading about your memories growing up. We would have been great friends I think as I was an outside child too and I had those same toys. I too have lost family in December and I find myself going back and visiting those memories more than any other time of year. I am thankful for the grands that do keep us young. Not to mention fill our days with laughter.
Yes, I am thankful and I just love reading about your days.

Barbara said...

Thank you so much for sharing. May you have a Blessed Christmas!

Larkrise garden girl said...

Julia,what a beautiful post.I love the way you express feeling we all have tucked away at Christmas time.