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.
Emma’s First Christmas
A Blue Sky Days Christmas Scene
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.
“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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I agree there is nothing like having a houseful of people who love each other and enjoy being with each other.
ReplyDeleteSO SWEET. Makes me want to go reread BSD now! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, 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.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking part in the hop, Marie! I love the piece you wrote!
ReplyDeleteMy best,
Terri