Home for Christmas
Home.
Home may mean their childhood home to some, this house is not that.
It is not where our children were born or where they grew up. One of them never even lived in this house at all.
Due to many moves over the years, the childhood home of our offspring was left behind long ago.
It exists only in memories, old, hard copy photos and some VHS videos that are treasured beyond measure.
But this year, for the first time in many, the family will be coming home, where the parental units live for Christmas. There will be adult children, featured in the photos above, grandchildren, a beloved aunt and a child-to-be included in the hugs and embraces of 2012. (Photo above taken Thanksgiving 2006)
The Financier and I are the oldest living family members now, the Patriarch and Matriarch of the Fairegarden clan. On the holiday tree this year the theme is Home, using only those ornaments that once belonged to our parents, the grandparents of our offspring, the great-grandparents of their offspring. Some might call these baubles vintage, we consider them reminders of Christmases from long ago, still alive in each of our memories of home. We will speak of stories from Christmases past, and perhaps view photos and the DVD that was made of all of our recorded present openings. There will be food and laughter and tears and wrestling and chaos. It will be wonderful.
***
I’ll Be Home For Christmas
I’ll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
This song was originally sung from the viewpoint of soldiers during World War II stationed far from home. It was written by Kim Gannon, Walter Kent and based on a poem by Buck Ram. It was first recorded by Bing Crosby on Decca records in 1943 with the John Scott Trotter orchestra.
Merry Christmas to all, and may there be peace on Earth, someday.
Frances
Enjoy! Merry Christmas!
Anne Boykin said this on December 24, 2012 at 5:06 am |
Have a lovely time! Merry Christmas!
Mark and Gaz said this on December 24, 2012 at 5:26 am |
What a beautiful post! May your Christmas be filled with every joy and happiness as yet another wonderful memory is added to your family archive.
Desiree said this on December 24, 2012 at 5:32 am |
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Valerie
Valerie said this on December 24, 2012 at 7:19 am |
This sounds like my kind of Christmas, loving caos. Beautiful memories Frances and that’s what Christmas is all about. Merry Merry from my Eden to yours.
cheryl said this on December 24, 2012 at 7:23 am |
Family get togethers is the best part of Christmas.
greenbenchramblings said this on December 24, 2012 at 7:37 am |
Frances, your post brought tears to my eyes. I know you willhave a wonderful, memorable Christmas.
linda said this on December 24, 2012 at 8:13 am |
Sounds like you will have a memorable and enjoyable Christmas with your family. I know as I get older, reflecting on family memories are so precious and important. Merry Christmas from Arkansas!
Brenda
the blonde gardener said this on December 24, 2012 at 8:47 am |
Sincerest wishes to you and all of yours for the very Merriest of Christmases. Sounds like it will be very special with all the gathering of family.
michaele anderson (@meander1) said this on December 24, 2012 at 9:01 am |
Your Christmas will be wonderful with all under one roof. Don’t work too hard although I know it will be a labor of love with many hands helping. I love that Christmas song.
Layanee said this on December 24, 2012 at 9:16 am |
Merry Christmas to you and your clan. I hope it is a wonderful time for all of you.
Les said this on December 24, 2012 at 9:27 am |
Merry Christmas, Frances. And many good wishes to all.
indygardener said this on December 24, 2012 at 9:54 am |
Merry Christmas, Frances. Your blog inspires and comforts me.
Jane Gladden said this on December 24, 2012 at 10:30 am |
Lovely thoughts Frances….wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas at home with your wonderful family and memories!
Donna@Gardens Eye View said this on December 24, 2012 at 10:31 am |
Merry Christmas, Frances! I’m sure it will be wonderful to have so many family members around you this year!
Alison said this on December 24, 2012 at 10:47 am |
Dear Frances,
You have evoked the essence of past, present and future. Best wishes for this solid brick in the wall of memory and memory-making. Barbara
Barbara H. said this on December 24, 2012 at 11:10 am |
My favourite ornaments on my Christmas tree are the ones from my parents’ tree and my childhood. They always bring back warm Christmas memories.
Merry Christmas
Northern Shade said this on December 24, 2012 at 11:36 am |
Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy! All the best to you and your clan!
Ogee said this on December 24, 2012 at 12:13 pm |
A lovely Christmas post…Wishing you and your beautiful family Joy for the holiday and a healthy 2013.
lesley McClave said this on December 24, 2012 at 1:01 pm |
I know it will be a truly memorable Christmas for you and yours … the tree is beautiful!
Cindy said this on December 24, 2012 at 1:22 pm |
Exactly what the holidays should be about. A lovely post, Frances. Merry Christmas to you, and your family!
Curbstone Valley Farm said this on December 24, 2012 at 1:30 pm |
I can’t wait to see the family and tree!!! These old photos bring back such wonderful memories!!!! We are so lucky to be able to celebrate together!!! Much love semi
Semi said this on December 24, 2012 at 4:06 pm |
Merry Christmas to you and all of your family
My Kids Mom said this on December 24, 2012 at 4:44 pm |
I hope you have a wonderful family Christmas with all your offspring and their offspring. May there be many happy memories made.
patientgardener said this on December 24, 2012 at 4:44 pm |
Merry Christmas!
Marcia said this on December 24, 2012 at 5:40 pm |
We wish you joy and love with your close and beautiful family this Christmas.
We raise a glass to your good health, and will see you in the garden next year.
warmest wishes to one and all. Sandy
Sandy & Richard said this on December 24, 2012 at 5:55 pm |
Merry Christmas, dear friends, the big day is finally here, with half of the family gathered together, the rest to come later in the day. Thank you for the wonderful thoughts and wishes, you all are loved and very much appreciated. xoxoxo
Frances
fairegarden said this on December 25, 2012 at 5:59 am |
Merry Christmas my friend! What a beauty that tree is with all those treasures in it, I love that! And I wish that my father have saved them, all those ornaments from grandma and grandpa. The few I have I treat with a lot of love and they are hangning in our tree every christmas (even if my kids think that they are old and ugly?) We had the best Christmas ever yesterday and hope the very same for you / Trippel Kram gittan
gittan said this on December 25, 2012 at 7:17 am |
As the old saying goes, “Home is where the heart is.” All these treasured memories are what makes Christmas special. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Frances!
Rose said this on December 26, 2012 at 11:01 am |
Family is what it is all about to me. I am so happy for you. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Lisa at Greenbow said this on December 26, 2012 at 4:14 pm |
I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas, Frances. My family is back in Canada, and work won’t allow me to take much time off, but home is here in Rhode Island now. If only we would have some snow….
dirtynailz said this on December 26, 2012 at 9:36 pm |