Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Meet the Family Blog Hop - Emma's First Christmas


The Meet the Family Blog Hop is hosted by Terri Giuliano Long, and is a chance for people to share posts related to the holidays - stories, recipes, favourite holiday books, movies, songs, etc. Today I'm talking about my family's traditions.
Be sure to check out my post from yesterday where I talked about my family's Christmas traditions
 
In Blue Sky Days, my debut novel, there's a Christmas scene. It's one of my favourite scenes, but I decided against posting it as an excerpt because there are way too many spoilers in it. Instead, today I'm sharing with you a brand new little piece I wrote from Emma's perspective on Christmas day.

Emma’s First Christmas 
A Blue Sky Days Christmas Scene 

I look around the room at my family - those related by blood, and those I've adopted over the last year - and wonder how I’ve made it nineteen years without a real Christmas. Sure, my parents and I celebrated every year, but it was nothing like this. Growing up, Christmas consisted of a small tree decorated with expensive jeweled baubles, and an even more expensive wreath on the front door. There were no stockings hung by the chimney with care, handmade decorations adorning the tree, or boughs of holly decking any of our halls. The smell of cinnamon and nutmeg and baking bread didn’t waft from the kitchen, tantalizing your senses and making your mouth water.

This year, there’s all those things and more. Aunt Daisy is as enthusiastic and excited as a child, and it didn’t take me long to get swept up right along with her. Our house looks like Christmas Central - I don’t think there’s an inch of space that’s not covered in decorations. There’s not one, but two Christmas trees - a giant one in the living room, and a smaller one at the top of the stairs in front of the big window. They’re strung with colourful lights and decorated with things Daisy has collected or made over the years. The rooms are filled with beautiful ornaments - my favourite is the village with houses, stores, and a church surrounded by a working train set. It’s like something out of a movie or a really amazing dream. 

Christmas dinner is going to be a huge affair, too. It feels like Daisy and I have been up since the crack of dawn preparing. Everyone is going to be here - Nicholas, Sam, Maggie, Vince, and even my dad. I’m so excited, I’m practically vibrating. Daisy has sent me out of the kitchen repeatedly to go sit with Nicholas, because she’s worried I’m going to chop my fingers off or burn myself. I keep telling her I can’t help it.

“It’s my first Christmas!” I exclaimed the first time she shooed me away, after I’d almost splashed hot liquid everywhere while basting the turkey.

I’d expected her to look at me funny, but she’d simply smiled that sweet smile of hers and nodded, like she understood perfectly.

When everyone arrives, the excitement in the house is palpable. Snow started to fall a little while ago, and there’s a thin layer covering the yard, glistening like diamonds in the afternoon sun.

There’s nothing like having a house full of people you love. There’s nothing like feeling this kind of love. Moving to Riverview was the best thing that ever happened to me. Reconnecting with Aunt Daisy, finding Nicholas and falling in love with him, making real friends for the first time in my life - it’s all a dream come true. It feels like my whole life finally began this year, and being surrounded by the people I love is the best possible celebration. 

Merry Christmas!


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4 comments:

  1. I agree there is nothing like having a houseful of people who love each other and enjoy being with each other.

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  2. SO SWEET. Makes me want to go reread BSD now! :)

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  3. Oh, I love this! I have a beloved character who also found her sense of family in her late teens, so this really resonates with me.

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  4. Thank you so much for taking part in the hop, Marie! I love the piece you wrote!

    My best,
    Terri

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting Ramblings of a Daydreamer! I love hearing what you have to say, and I appreciate every single comment. I hope to see you here again soon! ♥
~Marie

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