Christmas is over for another year, the last tree came down today. As happy as I feel putting them up each year, I have pangs of sadness when I pack away the ornaments. Forty-three Christmases packed away in less than a dozen boxes. Many of the ornaments so old or so tacky they don't even make it to the branches, yet I hold onto them. They've made their way to the bottom of the the storage boxes like the Land of Misfit Toys, they have lost their place on the trees.
I did pass along some ornaments and decorations this year to our oldest Grandson. His first apartment is decorated with hand-me-downs, he never says no to anything we offer! He inherited Papa's old but much loved recliner and most recently a sofa and loveseat, a little worn where I set and and blog! I noticed today as I read his Facebook post, on the counter in the kitchen set Mom and Dad's salt and pepper shakers. You've seen them in every Grandma's house since the 50's, clear glass shakers with aluminum tops. I love that he uses them, the tops are pitted from years of salt. They set on Mom's stove in the house on Summit and seasoned a million meals with ♥
The first day of the new year seems to be a good starting point for new beginnings. Last year was filled with extreme happiness and extreme sadness, but that's life in a nutshell. Wishing everyone a Happy and healthy New Year!
Happy New Year to you! Like you I feel sadness with the thought of putting away the ornaments and holiday memories for another year. It is so wonderful to be able to slow down during the holiday season to worry more about family schedules and less about work and other worries.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Jojo! It's always a downer for me to put away the Christmas decorations, I should just give in a be one of those crazy ladies that keeps them up year round!
DeleteHappy New Year Joy
ReplyDeleteI took my tree down today and it bothers me too, but on the other hand, we have turned the corner to Spring and that makes me happy.
Blessings
Earlene
There's a lot of us Christmas lovers out there! It always seems like a long time until spring arrives here, usually June before you can really count on warm days. We had a skift of snow last night really pretty!
DeleteI am wishing you a most joyous and blessing-filled New Year. I am hoping that 2014 will be with less stress, but the last few days were full of stress from my situation with my parents and its not going to get better.
ReplyDeleteI look so forward to your new year and new blogging.
Warm Regards,
Denim
You are in the thick of it, I understand since I walked that path with Mom. Much harder on you since you have both of them to care for. We used an Eldercare lawyer too, for fear the Medicaid application would just be a mess. Too bad we need lawyers these days to protect our parents from state workers who are supposed to be helping in the first place. Mom kept her farm by having a beneficiary deed in place, that works here in Arkansas but not all states. It was a worry for us too, 100 miles from here and for 8 years we went back and forth to check on it often after Mom went into nursing care here. Medicaid won't allow you to rent it for income to help pay for care. None of it ever made any sense, I know you feel like giving up. Vickie, you will make it sweetie. One day at a time. Quilt when you can, blog it out and enjoy the fur babies. Take care of you. Hope you are feeling better.
DeleteHappy 2014. sandie
ReplyDeleteJust came by for a visit and I feel BETTER! You always post the things that uplift and I sure needed it. I hope the New Year will be a better one for all of us. Losing Mom was hard, then our Grandson lost his Dad in August, I worry about him so much.
Deletethe misfit ornaments made me tear up. i hold on to mine too whether they make it to the tree or not. i missed the salt and pepper shakers. now i love this picture!
ReplyDeleteThere they set, made my heart melt! Misfit ornaments, love them anyway!
DeleteI want to tell you - i don't have your email address - but I am so sorry for your losses this year. That has to be so tough. I hate that disease. Anyway I wish for you a better 2014. sandie
ReplyDelete