That warm, fuzzy feeling

Families & traditions

Published on December 6, 2005 By foreverserenity In Home & Family

I enjoyed reading Little Whip's article yesterday about Christmases she remembered, her family and the people in her life some of whom have passed on. Link It's funny (strange) that we both felt compelled to write similar articles. I guess that's what happens to you when those memories are stoked and comes alive. Brings a tear and a smile.....

Christmas really is my favorite time of the year. In fact, once Thanksgiving rolls around I’m in hog heaven, emotionally. Those nostalgic feelings and memories come right at me without me even trying. Memories of childhood days, fun in the sun, having family close and just being there for each other.

Although we didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving in my childhood because it was not a part of my birth countries tradition, the activities and tradition of this holiday is reminiscent of how my parents celebrated come Christmas time. There were however, some families who migrated from the United States (US) or some who often traveled to the US who celebrated Thanksgiving and still do celebrate it there. I hadn’t even realized until recently that my husband’s family used to celebrate Thanksgiving in Jamaica. His family used to travel often to the US, so they picked up on that tradition.

The big events for my family and I; parents, siblings, when we were young were Christmas dinner, Boxing Day and New Years dinner. Our Christmas and New Years dinner would be the same as Thanksgiving dinner here, with lots and lots of food and drinks. Extended family members would gather with us and also family friends. We would have a grand old time.

Boxing Day we would get dressed up and go out to see a family movie or go to some activity and have fun, enjoying that special holiday, an added bonus after Christmas day. Of course the eating and drinking continued.

That’s why to me, the holidays are special, because of those memories of family traditions. The teasing, the fights, the horse playing, my mom in the kitchen, my dad helping us to decorate the house, the big blow up Santa Clause balloon that we all loved, which to me at the time was so big because I was little. Then as I grew up was so small and I wondered what happened?!LOL!

On New Year’s Eve we didn’t go partying, that was our time, just us, we would gather and talk and listen to my dad recounting his days as a youth, speaking our wishes for the New Year, drinking to celebrate the upcoming New Year. (No alcohol for the kids though!) And I would sneak off in the middle of all the revelry to go into my room and pray. My parents never let on that they knew I did this, but I’m sure they knew I did.

And so as an adult I try to continue these memories with traditions of my own, for my children. Traditions I hope that will evoke in them the same warm fuzzy feelings as they do in me.

I try not to put too much pressure on myself to make these traditions happened unnaturally or forced. They just naturally become a part of what we do. Just the way my kids expect to have spaghetti and meat sauce on Saturday evenings after the day’s activities. The other day I didn’t prepare it and they were disappointed and that made me feel warm and fuzzy! So I promised to cook it the next time.

So the first week of December we put up and decorate our tree. It’s something we do together. Each of us have our role, and the constant queries of “are the lights on the tree yet?” has become the norm, because that’s my job, with my husband directing, putting the lights on, then the kids decorate with tinsels and other ornaments we’ve collected over the years, including ones that were handmade by each child for a class project.

They give me their lists; I purchase the gifts and pretend that I haven’t done anything at all, as I try to hide them where they won’t find them. Underneath the tree is left bare for a week, until mysteriously all these packages appear and then the kids get ecstatic wondering what is what! My oldest girl usually do the wrapping (not of her presents, I do those) because she gets a kick out of being the first to know, plus she does such a great job of it too!

When Christmas Eve comes around we stay up late and the kids open one present then go to bed. Of course they’re always the first to get up on Christmas day. My husband makes pancakes and sausage, I make eggs and the kids go crazy with their gifts. And if my husband isn’t awake when we are, I make sausage and eggs and toast. He makes the pancakes from scratch and that’s the way we all like it.
I would cook our dinner which would end up being like Thanksgiving again because of the variety of foods. And of course there had to be Christmas Ham!

Yes, these family traditions are priceless. And there are moments when I’m taken back to my own childhood and I remember my parents and know that although they are physically not here with me anymore, they are still here, in my heart, my actions, my memories. Then I smell an old familiar scent and know that they are here looking over my shoulders, watching us and smiling. There I go again…getting that same warm, fuzzy feeling while smiling and blinking very fast so that errant tear doesn’t fall.

Thank you mom and dad……

Comments

Dr Guy

on Dec 06, 2005

IN a way, you were very lucky growing up (or at least your husband was). You got to celebrate not only American custsoms, being so close to this country, but English ones as well!

Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories. I like the part about the shrinking santa. Kind of like when I was a kid and the snow was up to my waste! Funny, we have never had snow that deep since I have been an adult.

Trudygolightly

on Dec 06, 2005

Those warm, fuzzy feelings are kinda hard to not have. Sooner or later most of us have some of them

It sounds like your home life, as a youth, was a happy time and that's so good.

I gotta go write some of my Christmas memories now.

foreverserenity

on Dec 06, 2005

IN a way, you were very lucky growing up (or at least your husband was). You got to celebrate not only American custsoms, being so close to this country, but English ones as well!

Yes, I was!

You're welcome Doc! I enjoyed writing it. Ha, ha...yes, the snow up to the waist or almost to the chin! I remember with my son when he was so tall! I don't think the snowfalls are so deep anymore, at least not where I come from up North!

Those warm, fuzzy feelings are kinda hard to not have. Sooner or later most of us have some of them It sounds like your home life, as a youth, was a happy time and that's so good.

Oh yes Trudy, nice and warm nostalgic feelings, makes you feel good to remember. I did, a wonderful childhood.

gotta go write some of my Christmas memories now.

Great! I can't wait to read it!

uDigItTheMost

on Dec 07, 2005

What a wonderful article, FS. I love Christmas time, too. It just seems people not just family but people act nicer towards you.

I won't be able to make it back to my old hometown for Christmas so I will be missing my family big time this year. It kind of sucks since I love to see my family's faces when they open that perfect gift.

I liked the traditions you and your husband already have for your holiday celebrations. I also liked how you ended your article thanking your Mom and Dad. You know I got a feeling your kids will someday write their own blogs thanking you and your husband.

Tova7

on Dec 07, 2005

Very nice article FS. I love Christmas and not because any of mine as a kid were all that great. I just LOVE it. The music the food, the celebration or birthday party we have on Dec 25th. I make a meal too on Christmas and a birthday cake for Jesus for dessert. The kids love Christmas and it is wonderful to see them so happy.

My two year old is so anxious for Christmas. Everyday he goes in to look at the presents and says, "MOMMY! MOMMY! WOW. OP! (Means open)." I say we have to wait until Christmas..so he runs in and looks at a "countdown" angel I have with beads, and he moves one bead then jumps up and down. He has no clue how long he has to wait, but it is so sweet watching him.

Merry Christmas Forever.

foreverserenity

on Dec 07, 2005

What a wonderful article, FS. I love Christmas time, too. It just seems people not just family but people act nicer towards you.

Thanks UDigit! I know, that's why some people wish for it to be like Christmas all year round!

won't be able to make it back to my old hometown for Christmas so I will be missing my family big time this year. It kind of sucks since I love to see my family's faces when they open that perfect gift.

I'm there with you on that sad feeling of not being able to visit hometown this Christmas too. I'm going to send off some packages with another relative who will make the trip which is great!

I liked the traditions you and your husband already have for your holiday celebrations. I also liked how you ended your article thanking your Mom and Dad. You know I got a feeling your kids will someday write their own blogs thanking you and your husband.

Thank you, that's so sweet of you to say that!

Very nice article FS. I love Christmas and not because any of mine as a kid were all that great. I just LOVE it. The music the food, the celebration or birthday party we have on Dec 25th.

Thank you Tonya and me too!

I make a meal too on Christmas and a birthday cake for Jesus for dessert. The kids love Christmas and it is wonderful to see them so happy.

I went "awwww" when I read this about the dessert, cause that's sooo sweet! I love seeing the kids happy too. They're so excited because this weekend the presents are going under the tree! Now I'll have to monitor my two youngest, the four year old and the 11 year old with their sticky fingers!

My two year old is so anxious for Christmas. Everyday he goes in to look at the presents and says, "MOMMY! MOMMY! WOW. OP! (Means open)." I say we have to wait until Christmas..so he runs in and looks at a "countdown" angel I have with beads, and he moves one bead then jumps up and down. He has no clue how long he has to wait, but it is so sweet watching him.

And I went again "awwwwwwww"! How sweet! The countdown angel beads are a great idea! Fantastic! It will definately give him something to do and keep him away from the presents. I might just steal your idea if I can find something like that. My two young ones are really, really excited and I'm loving it but don't want them to open presents until it's time to.

Merry Christmas to you too Tonya!

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