Not really With My family as they are not around. Yet I have memories of family around me.
My Grandfather on Mom’s side carried creative genes (and might have passed some along). He put together this Christmas tree with parts and pieces of stuff and things.
Grandma would probably recognize her broken jewelry. The bottle caps may have been from jugs of Thunderbird wine, their favorite.
Mom hung this tree in her living room, all year long, and plugged it in every night.
Then there’s my fake 18 inch tree…
…decorated with Mom’s rhinestone earrings.
Also a copy of A Christmas Carol given to my Grandmother in 1917, and I can’t find a copy write date in the book.
And my Aunt Helen carved this whistle.
All these people have passed on so I feel very fortunate to have an adopted family.
Patty and Darrel raised Mike and his four brothers with love and respect. I’ll spend Christmas with this caring family. Darrel is sick right now, although we all pray he’s made it through the worse. Chemo seems to have killed the stomach tumor yet he is scheduled for two more sessions. Then physical therapy to regain his strength. He’s known as “The Giant”, a Big man with a Big heart.
Christmas is All About Love
The best Christmas Present I could ever have is spending time with you!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!
That sure is a heart-warming post, Gaelyn. I wish you and yours the very best at Christmas and for the New Year. I'll say a little prayer for Darrel.
…and I knew I shouldn't have junked my mother's costume jewelry! What a tree!
What beautiful memories and momentoes of your family, Gaelyn. I'm so glad you have Mike's lovely family to spend Christmas with. I'm prayuing for Darrel as I type his name. I'm sure the lunar eclipse was visible from EA (and the valley) and I wish we'd thought to drive up the mountain to watch it! A wonderful special time for you with your loved ones. Blessings, Jo xxx
what touching, heart-warming words, gaelyn!
love that lovely tree! so precious!
xx
There is no such thing as a typical family. Love is where you find it!
Priceless family heirlooms, just beautiful. Thank you for the beautiful idea of using some of my mother's old jewelry for the Christmas tree. It is a great way of remembering special people in our lives. Sending a prayer for Darrel. May you all have a Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year.
Lovely post, Gaelyn. I've passed all Christmas decorations on to my children since Rich died. We used to laugh as over the years it became a "memory tree" leaving little room for typical ornaments. Dog tags, kids' first rattles and booties, things crafted by kids in school, photos of lost loved ones, a last note from my Dad, favorite quotes, etc. Too hard for me to deal with, now.
We bought each of my kids a special ornament every year of their lives…they took them as they flew the nest so they would have enough to make a pretty tree. Our first tree was decorated with pictures cut out from Christmas cards we got. Some of them made it through to my kids' trees.
Great memories and a good new family to make new memories with. I love the tree that your Grandpa made.
I'd say you do have some creative genes.
It looks like your "new" family is a solid group.
Beautiful memories and treasures. Be happy–be thankful!
Enjoy!
MB
Great gifts from those who are no longer with us (except in spirit).
Friends make the best family! I wish I could be there with you to celebrate Christmas.
A beautiful Christmas to you!
What a special post! I am glad you have found a new family while still treasuring old memories and I love your grandfather's tree. I like meaningful treasures rather than the latest gawdy decorations from a department store.
Such beautiful memories of Christmas past. I love that tree your grandfather made.
It is wonderful that you have found a new family to share your life with.
What a nice post to wake up to today. Such sweet items to remind you of your family. I am so happy that you have Mike and his adoptive family. Merry Christmas to you, Gaelyn.
Christmas is a great time to remember those we have loved as well as those who currently enfold us in love, and vice versa. Love your memorabilia, esp. the old copy of Christmas Carol. Glad you will be spending the holiday with such a loving group.
It's very moving to unpack treasures and remember. Had some of those moments myself this week. Beautiful shots of the jewelry.
Such wonderful heirlooms to surround yourself with during this holiday season! I'm glad you've got such a loving, chosen family to spend your season with.
Ahhh I'm in love with that creative tree your granddad made. Might have to contemplate doing something similar someday.
What a lovely post; what a wonderful new family you have and you deserve it. — and you are so lucky to have those memories of your original family! (in your RV?)… I have to visit my kids to see our family heirlooms. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I agree Grandpa Howard was a very creative person and it's nice to know that you have some of he's "Gene's" will be in Oakhurst with Dad and Stan.
I love that special tree with all the jewelry pieces…and all your Christmas mementos of your family.
I am happy that you have your new adopted family to spend Christmas with.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Healthy Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Wow – that first tree is so creative and utterly gorgeous!
You're so right! It's all about that little 4 letter word…
You all must have a wonderful, fantastic time there in the desert.
God bless!