Thursday, December 6, 2012

Oh, There's No Place Like Home...


...for the holidays.
From the time I hung our love-bird "first Christmas" ornament on a tree
{1984}
until our first empty nest Christmas last year...
I have always loved staying
home
for the holidays.


I sat up late last night, 
gazing at our tree...
and looking back through our Christmas scrapbooks.
Scrapbooks that hold 
memories
from each of our almost thirty Christmases together.
I was struck {yet again} by how nomadic we've been. 
Two countries, six towns and 13 apartments or houses have been "home" to our family,
and there are very few "things" that have made the entire journey with us.
But...
Our hand made Christmas tree skirt.
That first Christmas ornament...and many ornaments over the years.
And our holiday traditions...
'Twas the night...fondue...one present on Christmas Eve...
These things have traveled with us.
Christmas has traveled with us.
So...
While there's no house with my kids' heights carved into a door frame...
no tree swing in a yard waiting for grand kids...
no attic full of long forgotten treasure....
There is Christmas.
For my kids - Perhaps Christmas is their childhood home.


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7 comments:

  1. Christmas will be your children's home! It really is something, when we think of Christmas, we think of home... no matter where it's at. Maybe that's why Christmas is so important.. to bind families and those things we hold dear and close to our hearts. Beautiful pictures. Loved your post.

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  2. I just cried a little bit because I am sitting in front of our tree as I read this. And looking at all of the ornaments from the milestones we've celebrated in our short five-year marriage. You are so right, there is always Christmas, and those memories and traditions do last a lifetime. And they stay with you wherever you go.

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  3. This is the best. It is really those things that make "home" - the traditions and the love. I am so new at this family thing... your posts are like little lessons. Such wonderful advice and insight on what matters. Thank you Adrienne.

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  4. Love this post. Christmas truly is a magical place for childhood memories!

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  5. Aww... lovely! I have a feeling our story will be much the same thirty years from now. And I'm okay with that.

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  6. All in all not a bad childhood home!

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  7. Le Sigh... Perfect message. Loved this!

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