Friday, December 3, 2010

Christmas Echoes

Canned green beans and soup wrapped in glittery tissue paper. Watching it being placed with other similar tissue packages in baskets that stretched across the school stage.

A freshly polished, silver shell-shaped candy dish that was only brought out at Christmas and Mother's homemade, snow white divinity served in it.

Helping Daddy pick out baby doll pajamas for my mother's present and the smell of White Shoulders perfume we would travel to Dallas for.

Itching from angel hair while crawling around under the tree to watch bubble lights percolate over a tiny Christmas village.
Matching appliqued, red felt Christmas skirts for my sister and I to wear Christmas day.

The sound of tiny bells pinned onto the can-cans under the skirts.

Christmas hymns sang at church the entire month of December.

Sitting in the balcony of the old First Baptist Church of Dallas being mesmerized by The Messiah.

Ladies wearing Christmas corsages pinned to their sweaters and coats...and not just to church.

The annual Christmas Parade through downtown McKinney with Santa as the celebrity.

Marching in the Christmas parade with the Marquettes drill team and always being behind the horses.

The downtown stoplights and lamp posts decorated in their Christmas finery with only the department store windows to rival them.

The Christmas Carnival held in the Jockey Lot off the square and watching my brother (as Alvin) and his friends win first place for lip syncing the Chipmunks' "Please Christmas, Don't Be Late".

Homeroom Christmas parties with Santas made from apples, licorice and marshmallows.

Watching a new movie in the high school auditorium the day Christmas vacation began.

Receiving my first Christmas gift from a boyfriend, bought at Murray's Jewelry Store and wrapped with Mr. Murray's signature bow.

The smell of a real tree enhanced by my great-grandfather's pipe tobacco.

Wrapping presents at my grandmother's using the same bows from years past.

Attending a Madame Alexander trunk show with Mother, only to find Ginny and her trunk under the tree Christmas morning.

Opening my first real Barbie and her trunk of clothes.

Finding our Christmas presents early one year and vowing never to do that again.

Climbing into a warm bed, not being able to sleep Christmas Eve and never feeling that cold, hardwood floor the next morning.

Laughing with friends, family and neighbors as they flooded the house on Christmas Eve.

Going out to look at Christmas lights only to return home and find Santa had came.

Seeing my first aluminum tree and bringing my grandmother's home after she left us.

Running to the mailbox to retrieve Christmas cards...some from next door neighbors, but mailed just the same.
Stores closing early on Christmas Eve and not opening at all Christmas day.

Elvis Presley singing Blue Christmas on the hi-fi.

The touch of my mother's hand before falling asleep to music emanating out of a black, lacquer jewel box with a tiny card tucked inside signed Love Daddy.

Staying up late with Cat Daddy, watching White Christmas while drinking Champagne and reading "Some assembly required".

To Be Continued....
Forgive me y'all this bit of nostalgia, but I have to get this down for my baby girls before the memories get too distant to recall.

23 comments:

Mindy said...

Oh, my! It was a nice walk down memory lane, for me, too. Thanks for sharing your memories so beautifully, Debbie. ~Mindy

Malisa said...

Awwwwwww! Girlfriend, this post was absolutely beautiful! I felt like I must have been right there with you for many of those memories! That is just a wonderful ideas about writing down those special memories to pass down to our children's children. Things change so quickly. I think you have inspired me to write a journal for my grandkids! Love you for having such wonderful, inspiring ideas!

Our never-ending story is growing quickly. Better jump back in there!

MALisa

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

Deb, I don't know whether to laugh or cry, because I have both emotions with your one post. The laughing that we used bows from Christmas past and the crying part that I miss so many family that have gone on. Thanks for taking me down "my" memory lane too! Your pretty Gracie and Bella are looking more and more like their sweetie pie Nana!!!

the old white house said...

Oh I just loved this, really so sweet it's wonderful how you can bring back all of those special memories for all of us. So many of them are our memories too! Thank you xoxo Theresa xoxo

Olive said...

So great of you to record your memories lovey!

Laura said...

Oh Debbie-
What treasured memories!
We share some of the same memories as well.

You painted the perfect picture.

LB

Prior said...

LOve the memories...and isn't it funny how we all have a few similar and hearing yours triggers some of my own, too. Lezlee

Shabby Vintage Junk said...

Deb I have a lump in my throat & the screen is all BLURRY....What a BEAUTIFUL roll call of memories....I can't wait to hear some more....!

THANK YOU for sharing these Lovey....!

Cheers,
Tamarah xxx

Unknown said...

Ohhhhh...Debbie...I need to do thid too! There are so many things I don't want to forget...lol. Funny how our memories aren't exactly the same as yours, but it seems that all of your readers have similar memories.
And now....we have new friends to share tham with.
Just wondering...are you having a wonderful pajama party on New Years like you did last year? If I remember correctly (ummmmm, I may or may not REMEMBER) I got into a little trouble last year! BUT I had a wonderful time...lol...
**Tami

Unknown said...

Oh....forgot...you should have the PJ party...skip the prizes...I'm just lookin' forward to one of the kinds of 'story' that only Debbie can write! The commentary of the party was great last December.:-)

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

Loved going down memory lane with you. Thanks for sharing!!!
hugs~~ Daphne

DEBBIE BELL said...

Awwww Deb...Thanks for this sweet post! Brought back memories of my own childhood & special Christmas's:)You always seem to tug on my heart strings...even if you dont even know it:)
Hugs..
Deb:) xoxo

maryboys said...

perfectly poignant...what a warm and cozy post to read:) thank you once again for making me smile and feel grateful for the little things that are really so big. your memories are vivid and you wrote this so beautifully.

mary

The Feathered Nest said...

Oh Debbie...this is a most WONDERFUL post sweet friend...beautifully nostalgic ~ each and every memory pulls at my heart strings!!! Keep going, I love them ALL! hugs and love, Dawn

Anonymous said...

How nostalgic and so vintage!!! I could relate to many of your memories. I remember Santa at Sears Department store, so crowded! Bubble lights and glass ornaments, now so cherished and desired, hang on my tree to this day. Thanks for taking me down memory lane!

Liz

time worn interiors said...

On, those were the good old days! I long for simplier times! Guess it's what we make of it! Just thankful we are ALL Happy and Heathly this year! Miss you girl!
Theresa
aka:TOT

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

This is the season to relive all our best memories. Its just rich with them!

sweetpea said...

i love all those memories and i share some of them, like going out to look at christmas lights on christmas eve and coming home to presents that santa had brought.

hugs,
shelley

VS said...

I adore your memories friend. Sweet, precious, nostalgic, innocent...all the things I treasure most in life.
Tell us more friend, please tell us more!!!
Big Hugs,
Susie

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

I love this post!!!!

My memories would include listening to my parents croon with Bing Crosby singing White Christmas!

Zita said...

Those are some special memories, Debbie. I think that is also part of what this time of the year means... p.s. you're so smart to actually write them down.

Pam @ Frippery said...

Oh Debbie. I could read these over again and again! I am feeling more nostalgic than usual this Christmas. Thanks for sharing your lovely memories! Hugs, Pam

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

knock knock...
remember me?
Even though I've been buried under holiday decorations and losing more of my hair, I wanted to tell you that I love and miss you!!!! :)
I loved this post...oh the memories!!!!
Thinking of you everyday...