A Reflection in My Season's Mirror

I was prompted by Renee's request to post something to share this season. First, come take a look back, as I needed to do to move forward into this last busy and happy month.

My Mom left me quite a legacy when I think of the Christmases of my childhood. They were truly magical times including large family gatherings and heaps of food (overdose on sweets). Mom was busy for weeks. I think she loved it, though I don't know how she did it: even sewing dresses for my sister and I and for herself too. I especially remember a very glitzy-looking one that would hold its own even in that heavenly place where she will be celebrating a Christmas beyond my imagination. Thinking back, I don't think she went overboard, unless you consider the countless hours of effort that I fully appreciate only now. That was her Christmas style. Thanks Mom - for all your good-ness.

Remembering fun winter times with Mom

I left home, got married and December was still a flurry of activity. Both of my kids had their birthdays (I know, not their fault), Christmas parties for every class and club they belonged to: when Christmas finally arrived, we traveled to be with family or had a gang in for Christmas  - it's no wonder someone in the clan was sure to be sick a day or two. How much can an immune system take?!

Now, I'm in a different space on two fronts - my children are deciding, in their homes, what they will value and celebrate for their kids, and my husband and I moved across the country, now living away from community and family that framed our 'normal.'

Christmas music and decorations showed up this year early as usual. I resisted running for a place to hide until January 1st, knowing that come Christmas week, I'd be feeling all warm and contented with my children and grandkids together around our table and sleeping under our roof. And I knew that I'd get into the excitement of the season when I was ready.

Christmas feasting - 2007

Weeks have marched on and everything Christmas has been 'in my face'. I've been flip-flopping between 'I should be getting more done' and 'is there something wrong with me that I can't get motivated to make decent lists, never mind to go shopping'? Sewing machine and flannel fabric waiting to fit small children have been homesteading on my dining room table for many days. Bags of nuts and dried fruits have been shuttling their way from one kitchen counter to another.

Is it my age? Am I lazy? Am I a scrooge? Or is it really bad, am I depressed??!!

I think it happened today. It wasn't the dump of snow (now almost melted) that inspired it. I'm certain it wasn't CBC's morning talk show about what people are doing, buying (not buying). It just showed up.

I was at the small library at our church, for which I was making a display to publicize that it is there and waiting. I chose some appropriate books for the season, plus a few others. Skimming through a children's book, Give it With Love, Christopher, by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Bartholomew,"whatever it is, give it with love..." jumped off the page at me. That phrase has been filling my heart with the scent and sense of the season all day.

Today I played my first Christmas CD.

On Sunday Derryl and I are joining the Lunenburg Striders in a 5km Santa run in support of  Christmas Daddies . Hats with bells and something to give are ready in the closet.

Next weekend we are traveling to Moncton, NB to visit new friends and to attend a Christmas production  which Trevor Dick and our son, Brad (and the rest of the band) are accompanying. I love live Christmas performances - I let them pull me in with all senses.

We have another framework of friends here - running friends are hosting a winter solstice party. The subdivision we live in has a Christmas get together, another evening we go caroling around the loop. I still have room on my calendar to host my own party, which will inspire the decorating detail.

In amongst all the socializing, that fabric will take shape, my family's favorite non-traditional fruitcake, chock full of all those nuts and dried fruits, will get under cordial-soaked wrap. And if I'm on a roll, some blackberry jam will be in jars. 

When Christmas gets here it will be a full house - an infrequent blessing - with busy days starting at 6:00 a.m. for some of the wee gang who get an early start every day, not just Christmas morning! It will be great. I won't try and have everything great - I'll be happy if everyone feels at least one part was special to them. My freezer is well-stocked, I have a 'running' list of possible recipes, I live 20 minutes from fresh lobster from the wharf. My dessert menu is short but for sure baked apples will be on it. I feel on track.

So it's not only about bulging giftbags. It's my time, my efforts, my busyness in the planning - all given, and prepared with love. That's how my Mom did it.

Comments

[renee @ FIMBY]

And that's how my mom does it. You rock the socks off Christmas mom, always have. You are a hard act to follow so I don't even try (I'm fairly certain you make better fruitcake anyway) and I've found contentment in finding my own groove. But you are my inspiration. Always have been, always will.

I am printing this blog post of yours to add to my "mom's writing". So I can pass it on to my children someday, together with my writing, and say "here, this is who I came from".

I can barely wait to come spend Christmas at your house and raid your freezer stocked with all of summer's goodness. The gifts, the decorations, the music, the food are all a part of the celebration but seriously the best is just being with you - as an adult I totally understand that now. Oh and late night cards with drinks is pretty fun too!

Thanks for posting this and contributing it on my blog - you're the best. I love you.

Renee

[kristina]

This is delightful! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family all around.

[Ruth L]

For sure this is one of my favorite blogs of yours - read it again tonite, and it seemed to mean more now than earlier - you definitely captured the essence of what makes the Christmas season so special to us! Most people just talk about the shopping and buying . . . there's so much more to the Christmas package, isn't there?

[Karen Toews]

Thanks, Ruth. The holidays are past - but the season of living and giving with love never is!