Monday, November 30, 2009

Ho, Ho, Ho

I am just not feeling the holidays his year. I wasn't going to put up a tree or drag out the lights or any of the festive things we all do. It will just be me and love of my life, so why bother?


That pesky friend of mine is up to her shenanigans again! When we returned home from our trip the table was dressed in Thanksgiving with tablecloth and runner, center piece and candle. The store was all decorated, too. She came out this weekend and as she left mentioned that she would come back and decorate if I didn't. She is so pushy, this friend of mine. I felt like crap. I have been coughing and wheezing since I started inhaling the Georgia pine trees last week. Love of my life had to work, so Deb came out and we spent Friday evening putting together a puzzle and singing along with the sounds of the 60's on the radio.


Feeling almost human again on Saturday we went shopping. All the while she is asking if I have enough lights, etc. I didn't dare tell her I had no intention of putting them up.... but I think she must have sensed it. On and on she went talking about what I needed to do and asking if I needed her to help. She is sooooo pushy.


I convinced her that I was going to do all the things we talked about and sent her home. She left and love of my life left for work and suddenly I was all alone. First I had a little pity party and reread my last post and cried some more. Then I watched a little TV, got bored....... felt guilty for saying I would decorate with no intention of doing so..........


There are now 6 wreaths adorning he front pillars of the building and 3 foot lighted Christmas trees flanking the entrance. Numerous old world Santas have appeared among the pictures of my family and snowmen are everywhere. I have tested all the lights and have a list going for what replacement items are needed.


As I drag out all the decor that we seem to accumulate over he years, I am reliving Christmases past. I am, of course, thinking of my children today. I found some sand dollars that had images of the kids on them. We lived on Jekyll Island that year and our neighbor was an artist. She painted sand dollars with scenes of wharfs and fishing boats. She painted the sand dollars for us for Christmas. That was nice, but what she did on Christmas Eve was downright magical.


My son, Bobby was eight that Christmas. Amber was five, Jeff and Jill were three and Adrienne was only six months old. Santa was very much alive in the hearts of all our children that year. Bobby had broken his arm and was still in a cast. He was a klutzy child, never very athletically adept and if I remember correctly, he was attempting to climb a tree. He was disappointed to still have a cast on for the break from school. Knowing this, our neighbor asked us to call her when the children were all asleep.


Finally after much coaxing and shushing, all was quiet in our house except for the rustle of wrapping paper and the grunts and whispered curses of he who assembled the big toys. I let our neighbor in (I cannot remember her name, I can see her face in my mind's eye, but her name eludes me). She had some acrylics and a brush with her and she tip-toed upstairs to the boys room. Since Bobby occupied the top bunk she stood on a chair to be able to reach his cast. She painted an image of Santa Claus on his cast! While he slept! She used acrylics, because they dry fast.


I still remember the look on his face as he showed me his cast the next morning. Utter amazement. He looked at us in wonder and said, "He really did come to our house."


I am very much in the Christmas spirit now as I share this memory with you. Thanks to my nagging friend who spent all her energy making me do this!

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

You know it is really nice to have a best friend that will keep you looking up and on your toes. Everyone needs a best friend like yours u really cant ask for a better friend it sounds like you know i have to thank God for your friend. She really sounds really sweet. But dont forget the real friend we all have in Jesus. im glad your going to put christmas stuff up. I cant wait to see what you and your best friend do together. Have fun.

The Good Cook said...

What a lovely Christmas story. Thanks for sharing. You friend sounds like a real keeper. You are blessed.

ingasmile said...

What a beautiful memory!

scarlethue said...

I'm glad you're feeling at least a bit better, that's a wonderful memory of your son. I bet he talked about that for months!

SkippyMom said...

That is the coolest story about the cast! Wow!

Rae said...

I am so glad to hear that your Christmas spirit has been revived. That is a great story about the picture being drawn on Bobby's cast. It sounds like decorating and reliving some of these memories has been healing for you.

Carol said...

Love the cast story!

You, my dear, have to be one very special lady, you have remarkable friends. Special ladies don't get UN-rearkable friends!

You are doing great!

ellen abbott said...

Maybe you didn't feel like doing it, but the distraction seemed to be good for you.

And that's a great story about your son's cast. I'm sure the look on his face was one of those that makes a parent feels like they did it right.

Nancy said...

Beautiful Christmas story. Now I'm off to catch up on your posts. Glad you are home safely.

Brian Miller said...

that is so cool! we put up the lights yesterday...how can christmas be here so soon!

Mike said...

Your stories are so touching. I can just imagine the look of a kid waking up to have Santa painted on his cast. I am glad that you are in the spirit now. Your friend is just what you needed.

Mary said...

Jekyll Island is a magical place to spend Christmas....what a wonderful memory.

Thank you for sharing so much of you family. The stories are heartfelt and wonderful. I have nominated you as a "Kreativ Blogger"....you can pick up the award here:
http://ancestortracking.blogspot.com/2009/11/kreativ-blogger-award.html

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Christmas is a time of mixed blessings. I get up on the day, spend some time alone thinking of those dear to me who have gone, riase a small glass to them, remember them, wish them a happy Christmas and then move on for the rest of the day. It isn't easy but I've done my deep grieving and life goes on. Your grief is still very new and very raw. Good on you for making the effort and I have no doubt you treasure that amazing friend of yours. X

luksky said...

"Tis the season for giving." :-)

Anonymous said...

Aww. What a wonderful memory. Sometimes a nagging friend is the best thing to have. They know us well, and can "push" us through the hard times... as you have done with me.

Stephanie said...

What a great story about Santa Claus and the cast!

Pat said...

Sounds like Deb is a true friend, and is with you through thick and thin. Sometimes we need someone there to push us, even when we don't want to.

That is a wonderful memory of your son! I can't believe she was able to paint that on his cast without him waking up!

Hope the holidays aren't too hard for you. Keep your chin up.

Teresa said...

how awesome about "Santa" visiting your house that night. I can just imagine the wonderment in your son's face as he examined that cast.

Your friend sounds awesome and that she knew exactly what you needed to get through the holiday.

God bless you during this time

Anonymous said...

yes, she even has my bedroom decorated with a tree...can't wait to see it...I've been buried under things in the city but will be free in one week and will be out at the campground making 1000's of Christmas cookies...with my best buddy...laughing as we always do and singing our hearts out...she thinks I hold her up, the truth of the matter is, she holds me up everyday with her wonderful stories, mostly of her family, our fun plans for the upcoming summer and just always being there...