Christmas Memories of Mom
Day 5 of the Cornerstone Content Blog Challenge is to write about content that revives memories. Every Christmas I pull out some special items to display to keep the Christmas memories of mom with us.
I don’t remember when mom made this little cross-stitched church but it’s under our tree every year. I think it was around the 1960’s and she even made little stained glass windows out of colored cellophane paper. How they glisten when the light inside the church is on. There is a little bell in the steeple and a music box inside the church!
Mom and dad retired and moved to Myrtle Beach in the mid 1970’s and every Christmas she would make adorable Christmas ornaments from shells. She made them from sand dollars, oyster and scallop shells and even star fish. Our girls received an ornament each year to keep for their tree when they grew up. This is my star fish Santa Claus mom made for me complete with a fuzzy hat band and beard. Just the way the star fish has formed, it looks like Santa is skipping along from house to house.
This is my favorite to cherish. It’s a ceramic piece of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus that was given to my mom in 1981. Mom painted and glazed it in beautiful shades of blue and did an excellent job since it was one of her first pieces she did.
The Santa Claus ceramic mold was given to me unfinished by my mom. I’m not into ceramics so he sat in the garage and I would put him under the tree all white. After mom passed away in January 2000 I decided to try my hand at painting Santa. It’s nothing like mom could do but Santa has his red suit on and he is now ready for Christmas every year.
Every Christmas I display mom’s ceramic memories along with some of my Angels under our tree.
But the best memory was one I received from my younger sister on Christmas Day 2017. Mom and Dad celebrated their 50th anniversary on October 16, 1993 and this plate was a gift given to them. When my parents passed away, Nancy had their treasures packed away. She gave this Golden Anniversary plate to Rich and I on the same year we celebrated our Golden anniversary! Of course many tears were shed and I could feel my mom and dad with me as Nancy handed me the plate. I will treasure this plate forever.
I can’t go without my Christmas memory from dad. This was dad’s old sled that he had when he was a young boy. How I remember sliding down the hills on this sled when I was young! When we had our decorating shop I would use the sled on our Christmas display. People would come in and tell me I should refinish it but I want to keep it original, just as dad and I used it on the hills in the winter. After we closed our retail shop, I still use the sled for Christmas decorations in our home. This was Lia modeling on her great, great grandpa’s sled last Christmas.
Christmas with my mom and dad was always special. We may not have had lots of gifts but our home was always filled with lots of love. That’s what Christmas is all about and my Christmas memories of mom and dad will live in my heart forever.
What a beautiful memory of your parents! I can feel the love in your words and in the pictures. The ceramic Santas are so adorable and a truly things to be treasured. Wonderful post! I love 💕 it!
Thank you Alice. I love keeping memories alive. My parents were the best.
Lovely memories. I am happy just reading these words!
I love when memories make others happy Kate.
Those are such beautiful memories, Martha! I love that you put so many things out each year to remember her. And boy, you come from such a creative family.
I feel the love and presence of my mom when I have her memories under the tree Jeanine. She was such a wonderful person to all.
How great to have the memories written down for future generations. I hope that sled stays in the family for many more years.
My hope is when these treasures get passed down to future generations they will feel the same love as I do Virginia.
Martha, I am very touched by your fine Christmas memories and the way you bring them forward to the current Christmas. Your Mom’s Holy Family is very beautiful. The starfish Santa– I didn’t recognize it as a starfish at first! It is a deep joy that your home was and is so filled with love, at this time when we celebrate God’s greatest gift of love to humanity. ” For God so love the World that he gave His only begotten Son.” So love is the very best gift of the season.
Our family has always been filled with love Kebba. We were raised that family love is the most valuable gift. You don’t need money to spread love and happiness and I can see that already in Lia. Tha l you for going down memory lane with me.
What lovely memories! Especially the anniversary plate!
The plate is something I will cherish forever Angela. I’m not sure if any of the future generations will be blessed with 50 years of marriage but hope the plate can be passed down to at least keep our love alive when we are gone.
Thank-you for sharing your wonderful family treasures. They always touch my heart.
I have so many wonderful memories tucked away in my heart Brenda. They bring so much joy knowing my parents are still with me in spirit.
55 wonderful AMAZING yrs! Together. December 25 1965 our first date, totally in love ever since
We’ve had mom’s ornaments to bring back memories for so many of those years Rich!
Great post. I still have some ornaments from my mother and grandma. I miss them both.
It’s especially sad during the holidays when our loved ones aren’t with us but when I put mom’s memories out it brings me joy. I’m sure it’s the same with you Amanda. Wishing your grandpa and you a very Merry Christmas.