12/19/09

You'll always be right here beside me...

When my mother and father passed away, I somehow managed to land the many, many ornaments that adorned the trees of our childhood. In fact, I doubt there was any arguing, begging, pleading or bargaining - I just ended up with boxes that surprisingly held the treasures.

When I unwrap each treasure, I find myself wiping away the tears. They are tears of remembrance, tears of joy, tears of love and tears of sorrow. It's a ritual I attend to each year, and one that I feel invites my parents into our Christmas spirit.


These in particular are special to me. They were made by my darling mother.






My good friend, Scope, insisted I share.


Are you happy now?




58 comments:

  1. SheilaDecember 19, 2009 at 1:23 PM

    I have the same ornaments as you, at least the first and the third. When my mom found time (and patience and energy) to create them after wrangling 6 small children I will never know. However, there were fights and fierce negotations when our family sorted the ornaments.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  2. ScopeDecember 19, 2009 at 1:26 PM

    Actually, yes, I am happy now. And I know those make you happy, too.

    The Christmas spirit.

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  3. http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.comDecember 19, 2009 at 2:14 PM

    Great ornaments... especially as your mom made them!

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  4. AnonymousDecember 19, 2009 at 2:34 PM

    Our tree contains many ornaments made by my grandmother.

    And Katie's mom made the angel that sits on top of our tree; the angel wears a dress made out of excess material from her wedding dress. Always brings a few tears.

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  5. Mrs. EDecember 19, 2009 at 2:35 PM

    I usually come here for laughs. Today is tears. So glad you remember them each Christmas.

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  6. AnonymousDecember 19, 2009 at 2:35 PM

    I love taking out ornaments...especially from those who have passed...my mother has the ones from my grandmother, I might have to steal them when I am there...lol...

    Last night our tree fell over...for the second time. I broke the ornament I made for my daughters frist Christams...I am sad...I might steal that from my mothers house too!!!!

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  7. Everyday GoddessDecember 19, 2009 at 2:48 PM

    Those do look startlingly familiar.

    I know you feel better.
    xo
    Elise

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  8. SandeeDecember 19, 2009 at 2:54 PM

    I can so relate. Christmas was a very special time for my parents and they instilled family during this time of the year. My parents are gone too and I can so relate to all the feelings you are having.

    Big hug and have a very Merry Christmas. They are still watching over you. Just saying. :)

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  9. Formerly known as FrauDecember 19, 2009 at 3:00 PM

    What wonderful memories and sad also...I hope seeing them brings back joyous memories of Christmas past.Have a wonderful weekend.

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  10. justmakingourwayDecember 19, 2009 at 3:02 PM

    I inherited most of ours as well. I have many that my Mother made and they are very, very special to me. You and Minivan soapbox have inspired me to do a similar post I think...

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  11. TDecember 19, 2009 at 3:03 PM

    For me, there is not greater treasure in my ornaments than those my girls& I have made (in fact, one of the rare bitchy ex-wife moves was me TAKING the kids handmade ornaments. Period.).

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  12. SurferWifeDecember 19, 2009 at 3:09 PM

    They are indeed beautiful! Thank you for sharing!!

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  13. SkylersDadDecember 19, 2009 at 3:10 PM

    Good stuff. I wish I had more mementos from my parents.

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  14. Mango GirlDecember 19, 2009 at 3:27 PM

    Wonderful to open those precious treasures every year.

    Merry Christmas to you.

    Mango

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  15. Lori PDecember 19, 2009 at 3:30 PM

    oh my, your mother was quite talented - they're beautiful. It's amazing how little things like that mean so much, isn't it?

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  16. MagpieDecember 19, 2009 at 3:34 PM

    At least 90% of the ornaments on my tree came from my mother. And that doesn't count the ones that are still at her house and haven't been divvied up...

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  17. JoanieDecember 19, 2009 at 3:39 PM

    I think my sister probably has most of mom's ornaments. It's wonderful that you have so many memories in those ornaments.

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  18. AnonymousDecember 19, 2009 at 3:44 PM

    My grandma has a couple like the first one. A friend of hers made them for her I think a long time ago in the 50s or 60s. I think they are very pretty.

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  19. KimDecember 19, 2009 at 3:46 PM

    Those are beautiful. I especially like that first one.

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  20. plainolebobDecember 19, 2009 at 3:46 PM

    VM, wow those are nice, and the memory is right there to hold and touch too.
    Unfortunately for me, the only ones I have from grand maw, are little pieces of her still, and my aunt Cynthies corncob pipe.
    BIG HUGS

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  21. cheatymoonDecember 19, 2009 at 4:38 PM

    Those are lovely. Thank you for sharing. We had similar ornaments in the 70s... xo

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  22. Susan HigginsDecember 19, 2009 at 4:54 PM

    Awwww, what a nice Christmas Spirit story. Thank you! Beautiful decorations too.

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  23. BethDecember 19, 2009 at 5:17 PM

    This just makes me smile.

    Merry Christmas!

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  24. chocolatecovereddaydreams.blogspot.comDecember 19, 2009 at 5:19 PM

    I love them! The creative ones are the best!

    I have a vlog today of the ornaments that I and my family have made.

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  25. AnonymousDecember 19, 2009 at 5:38 PM

    they are beautiful as Im sure your mother was....I too got all the ornaments after mum died, I go throught he same emotions as you every year....wonderful memories

    peace

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  26. ♥ BrajaDecember 19, 2009 at 6:06 PM

    Awww, Vodka....sweet....

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  27. Straitjackets are SlimmingDecember 19, 2009 at 7:43 PM

    These are beautiful

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  28. Boozy ToothDecember 19, 2009 at 7:45 PM

    Yep. Happy and so thankful.

    Lovely post VM.

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  29. JessicaDecember 19, 2009 at 8:08 PM

    this is my first christmas without my mom (she died on my birthday in october) and i am absolutely treasuring the rudolph ornaments she sent me a few years back.

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  30. MikeDecember 19, 2009 at 8:19 PM

    A whole new meaning to the term, "Family Tree"

    Merry Christmas!

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  31. The Stiletto MomDecember 19, 2009 at 8:30 PM

    Awww friend, I feel the same way when I get my decorations out. sniff...sniff....((hugs))

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  32. Fragrant LiarDecember 19, 2009 at 8:32 PM

    That's so great that you have such special keepsakes. Mama was pretty talented with the ornaments too. I'm glad you have those to take out every year and invite your parents to join you for the holidays.

    Warmly,
    Kimber

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  33. AnonymousDecember 19, 2009 at 8:37 PM

    My mom made most of our ornaments when we were younger too. Well, not ALL of them, she had my sister and I make some as well. I wish I still had some of them. There were some just like yours. What precious memories you have. A nice reminder of days gone by. They somehow remain etched in our hearts forever.

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  34. MagsDecember 19, 2009 at 9:03 PM

    What a treasure!!!

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  35. AnonymousDecember 19, 2009 at 9:06 PM

    Thanks for sharing with us these heartfelt ornaments from your past. Yes, we are all happy now.

    Di
    The Blue Ridge Gal

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  36. Monkey MaeDecember 19, 2009 at 9:17 PM

    Beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

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  37. Sharon RoseDecember 19, 2009 at 9:52 PM

    Ah. . .the ties that bind our hearts to those we miss so much. . . it is a lovely post you have shared with us.

    Sending you hugs and sharing tears with you. . .

    xoxo
    Sharon

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  38. Merrily Down the StreamDecember 19, 2009 at 11:21 PM

    So sweet.

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  39. flutterDecember 19, 2009 at 11:42 PM

    this is so darling, sweet lady

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  40. PseudoDecember 19, 2009 at 11:49 PM

    Thank-you for sharing something so special Vodka.

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  41. MegDecember 20, 2009 at 12:36 AM

    Those are beautiful. You made me all teary!

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  42. KathleenDecember 20, 2009 at 2:21 AM

    I think its so awesome you have something made by your mom to enjoy at the holidays!

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  43. AnonymousDecember 20, 2009 at 2:35 AM

    I am happy and I am crying. I absolutely adore the story that each ornament on our tree holds....and I love the stories of yours that speak to you. The ritual that you attend to. I love it.

    Thinking of you this Christmas season...

    Lee

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  44. SweetPeaSurryDecember 20, 2009 at 5:52 AM

    I think my gramma made ornaments like that too!!! The bell, the beaded bell ... I know we have beaded ornaments from her time.

    Lovely ... and what a wonderful reminder of a fantastic person!!

    Namaste!

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  45. WeaselMommaDecember 20, 2009 at 6:43 AM

    They are beautiful and very special.

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  46. Captain DumbassDecember 20, 2009 at 10:20 AM

    Happy. Thanks.

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  47. AnonymousDecember 20, 2009 at 10:20 AM

    My grandomther and my mother taught us to make Christmad ornaments, and they are special to me now.

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  48. Kate Coveny HoodDecember 20, 2009 at 3:19 PM

    Those are lovely. I love ornaments that have sentimental value.

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  49. Brian MillerDecember 20, 2009 at 3:43 PM

    how very cool...i know each year as you put them up, memories flood...along with the tears. merry memories!

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  50. anymommyDecember 20, 2009 at 4:36 PM

    Christmas ornaments hold some beautiful memories for me too. So glad you have them.

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  51. justsomethoughts...December 20, 2009 at 7:29 PM

    thank you vodkamom
    another beauty

    (and thank you scope)

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  52. gretchenDecember 20, 2009 at 8:56 PM

    I completely relate! I too am the inheritor of all my parents Christmas ornaments, and I'm SO sentimental about them. I find myself sort of "channeling" my mother while hanging them on the tree. Each has it's own story, and each has a special place on the tree. It's very special.

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  53. Hollywood Farm FilmsDecember 21, 2009 at 8:34 AM

    Crying my eyes out!! Suddenly wishing I had more than my dollar store ornaments on the tree!! For some reason every year since the Littles have been around they just keep disappearing. This post has inspired me to start to collect meaningful ones. Your mother was very talented.

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  54. Hollywood Farm FilmsDecember 21, 2009 at 8:34 AM

    Crying my eyes out!! Suddenly wishing I had more than my dollar store ornaments on the tree!! For some reason every year since the Littles have been around they just keep disappearing. This post has inspired me to start to collect meaningful ones. Your mother was very talented.

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  55. Meeko FabulousDecember 21, 2009 at 12:29 PM

    Thanks for sharing those! Those things are so special, aren't they?

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  56. Joanna JenkinsDecember 21, 2009 at 9:12 PM

    I'm late to the party and catching up from being gone last week. This was a great post sparked so many memories. I'm glad that you have these ornaments :-)

    And I wish I could have seen the look on your face when the kid said the reindeer food was for the goats.

    And.... the girl with the red sequin slippers-- priceless.

    Merry Christmas!
    xo

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  57. martha millerDecember 22, 2009 at 8:01 AM

    this season brings up ALL the emotions. how good that you allow yourself the tears. beautiful baubles! thankyou.

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  58. PollyannaJanuary 13, 2010 at 8:30 PM

    Awwwww. Each year, I love unpacking ornaments that have a story/memory. Takes forever to put them up because you have to talk about each one, but it's totally worth it.

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