Christmas is a time of family and tradition, of love, laughter and memories. Like many of you, I'm missing someone this year and I keep thinking it's been too long since I've called--that I should call. . . . But then I remember why I haven't and that little piece of my heart breaks again. My mother's project this year was sort all the photos grandmother kept and divide them into 6 Tupperware boxes (one for each of her siblings). She asked for my help in writing a poem that would help her brothers and sisters remember their parents and the good times they shared. I thought I'd share my poem with you.
Do You Remember?
Do you remember sweet caramel corn
And donuts by the bag full,
Mom perched on Dad’s lap like newlyweds
Embarrassed kids, loving fools.
Do you remember Fall country drives
And lazy days by the lake
Love shared with bear hugs and BBQ’s
Coffee cake and rolls she baked.
Do you remember making snowmen
When snow fell on our lashes
The hunt of fresh snow for donut spins
Those days, our fun was matchless.
Do you remember joy and laughter
As cards piled o’er the table
We played, Demon, Spoons, and Hearts all night
Together when ‘ere able.
Do you remember she loved us all,
Our children, her life’s treasures
She saved each child’s card and little note,
Her love, too great to measure.
You remember how she’d wait for us,
Count the hours till our next visit,
A smile, a touch, just holding your hand,
She ne’er wanted to miss it.
Please do remember to share their love
With those in your lives today
Tell them a story of times gone by
Of our family’s joys those days.
Remember, though Mom and Dad are gone,
They gave us all they could give.
Our lives, each other, kind hearts and souls
In our memories, they both live.
And then Someday when we meet again
Oh the joys and sweet laughter
We’ll share new memories of times they missed
And have our own happily ever after.
By Wendy Swore, Dec 6th 2012
Some of our traditions are silly. Each year, my dad reads the Night Before Christmas . . . wrong. (Away to the windows I threw up on the sash...made a terrible mess) And the grandchildren protest and make him read the correct words. "No Grandpa! Not like that!"
We open PJ's on Christmas Eve, and trek across the field for breakfast Christmas morning at my husband's parents. One year we were snowed in and they sent snowmobiles to fetch us through the blowing snow.
In short, in quiet moments, I miss the ones we've lost, but I focus on the here and now so my children will have many happy memories as well.
My friends, this year, I wish you many happy memories. May you be surrounded by friends and family. Presents are a dime a dozen, often broken or discarded within the week, but family traditions keep you warm long after the fire burns down.
Do you have any special memories or traditions in your family? What do you love most about the holidays?
