The only photo of my whole family at once, not exactly the most flattering, however it is cherished ! My demeanor is more my dad, where as my brother is more mom.
We share many of their positive traits equally making us fairly independent people!
Sunday Scribblings prompt "Traditions" brought to mind a song from Fiddler on the Roof; hours spent singing songs from that adored movie. If I were a rich (wo)man Ya ha deedle deedle, bubba bubba deedle deedle dum……
I have discussed many family traditions on my blog, without addressing my necessity to preserve them. Traditions are the glue that holds my family together. You all know how glue can be sticky at times, unruly too, but when it works, it can hold everything together.
Memories with tradition have carried me through so many disparaging times. My brother and I cling to those rituals; replicate them for our children, trying to protect those comforts we grapple to since our parent’s early departure. Orphaned in our early thirties was way too young and too painful. They missed pivotal moments in our lives where we could have used their wisdom, comfort, and positive affirmations. It was sad beyond words.
Mom’s shortbreads, dad whistling while installing outdoor lights, memories that warm our hearts during the holidays. The first time I heard my son-in-law whistling as he strung the lights a tear came to my eye. I knew my daughter had the right guy.
I bath daily with the same soap mom bought in the sixties, bee and flower sandal wood soap. My son in law loves it too. We search many stores to find it, often clearing them out in effort to stock up! Just so I can have that comforting scent reminiscent of my childhood.
Last Christmas my nephew reminded my brother to be sure to play Nat King Coles Christmas song as they walked down the stairs in the morning to open presents, (on their new traditional Christmas, a few days before the 25th, because of divorce). A song my dad always played or sang during the season. My brother works hard all year long, over indulges his children, all for that one moment, to watch his kids open gifts while that traditional Christmas song plays. For in that one moment, all the guilt of being divorced is suspended while he’s transferred back in time, to that feeling, when being a child was the only responsibility he had, with mom and dad carrying his woes.
This is my blood, the five of us last year.
My daughter, me, my brother, niece and my nephew with his monkey grin!
We’ve added a few new traditions, opening pajamas Christmas Eve, going to at least one Christmas movie in the theatre, Rolo cookies, the big family dinner a few days before Christmas with brownies for my nephew, and raspberry desert for the rest. My brother receives his yearly calendar with photos of his family, his favorite gift. For me the beauty of blogging is to preserve a history of words and photos to inform and comfort our children when we’re gone. Sadly we hate to think of such things, but we know too well the pain of losing parents way before we should have. My brother honors the fact that I am blogging about my life, peppered with bits of his.Knowing his kids may one day find solace in my writings.
If I can produce one special moment to transfer our children back to a time where the security of family love, peace and joy reign over the tough times, then I have truly lived up to my mothers tradition, of taking exceptional care of her kids!
15 comments:
:) We open PJs Christmas Eve here too. But the funny thing is, every year I forget to mark the PJ presents so it has become almost a bigger tradition finding the right present that holds the PJs for each kid.
Love all the warm family pictures here. Thank you for sharing.
Giggles you sure did move my heart this morning. Your beautiful family traditions, memories and hearttugging photos brought back touching memories of my own while allowing me to have a deeper connection and another intimate look into your loving world. As often times happens with us, I was also 'chilled' by another trait we share... Pjs on Christmas EVE! Omg..Since my kids are small, They always open only ONE gift before going to bed.,NEw Pj.s!! (that I've already washed) So the morning pics. will look even better! Last year,fed up with the kids Not being in the Christmas spirit, I broke the tradition and although they didn't dare admit it, I knew they were disappointed.
I just loved this post Sherrie. Thanks so much for sharing it.
(and you are so right about leaving them the solace of these memories.) xoxo
This is such a wonderful post and shows such depth! It spoke to me on so many levels. I lost my Mom this year--way too soon (I'm 40, and my kids are only 9 and 11). I have been divorced for 4 years now, and have only recently come to terms with the need for "two Christmases" knowing that one will not coincide with everyone else's. But, I must still keep my family--my Mom's--traditions for my children--it's my glue!
Oh--and I loved the part about knowing "he was the one for her" when you heard him whistling while he put up Christmas lights! Delightful!
Happy Holidays to you all!
This brings tears to my eyes. You're spot-on about the reasons for our traditions.
You are one DYNAMIC lady and defintely a tribute to your mom and dad.
What a moving post Sherrie. Your blog is a beautiful treasure now. Someday it will be a piece of you that will remain for generations. We always got new Christmas PJ's Christmas Eve too.
Having my brother at Christmas is just like a time machine. We have lead such similar lives, you and me, and I really get it. HUGS
Hi,
Congratulations....Your posting is very interesting...Keep writing.. Welcome to my blog...
fiddler on the roof is my all time favorite movie,,, i know every word and song by heart... and yes,, when i hear the word tradition,, that is all that i can think of.......
Oh what a touching post. You really put the christmas spirit in it and how comforting that you have such a wonderful son in law
who reminds you of your lovely parents Take care
We have the Christmas Eve pajama tradition too! What a wonderful commentary on the importance of tradition.
Peace & love,
Deb
Your post tugs at my heart. We sing to the song often; GEM (Green-Eyed Man, my hubby) and I were even married to a song from Fiddler. Moreso, being orphaned that young devastating. We've lost our family due to other reasons I won't go into, but ache just the same and also make traditions in our own family (my husband and children) all the more important: glue like you said. I'd like to think of it as "love glue."
I sure wish you had more than one photo of all of you together. I hope you have preserved it. There are places that do that. I also adore the photo of the 5 of you. The love shines out brightly from both photos.
Thank you for sharing your memories with us. (I used to respond to the S.Scribble prompt. Hope I can find time to do so again.)
Hugs to you and yours, dear Giggles
I just loved your last paragraph, If I be a father, whom my kids want to remember, I think would really be happy..
For a non-sentimental person, I loved they way you spoke of your traditions. I don't bother with many as I think my life has been pretty easy really. The tough times are traumatic to each of us in our own way, but we get through them and then it is good times again. Gee, maybe I'm an optimist! Maybe!
What a beautiful post. Such lovely memories and wonderful traditions. I've never come across the pj one before. I might have tried it myself this year if I didn't live on my own!!!
I have PJ presents too! I knew it would be a tradition somewhere. I put on my special Christmas jim-jams which are covered in holly ( a holly pattern that is - real holly would be a bit too prickly) and I sit with my cats Fuzzybut and Scruff on the floor by my tree and we have a pressie each. It's so jolly.
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