Even if you're alone at Christmas, you can unwrap memories...

[highplainsdem]

I'm self-quarantining with a cold, apparently caught last weekend while stuck in line next to an unmasked guy who was coughing nonstop. I upped the vitamin C, but the holiday sweets probably canceled that out, and I was ill a couple of days later. So I'm avoiding loved ones, especially the family members who were sick for weeks after catching a very bad cold right before Thanksgiving.

But I'm fine. As I mentioned in a post in GD - https://democraticunderground.com/100217496096 - we're all so much better off than the poor people of Ukraine. Or others who are suffering around the world.

And a quiet Christmas is the perfect time to remind myself of the joys of past Christmases.

Like the one where my grandfather gave his 5 oldest grandkids (the younger ones were still toddlers) cowboy and cowgirl outfits, so there was a very small western-wear gang of 5...

Like the Christmas my dad didn't get home from his job in a nearby town till the day after a blizzard hit, and he'd bought trash bags as well as food and presents so he could use one of the trash bags to drag everything home to the farmhouse we were renting then, half a mile from the highway, through drifts that in some places were several feet deep...

Like the Christmas when my mom read somewhere (might've been Arizona Highways magazine, which she subscribed to then) that a flocked tumbleweed could substitute for a Christmas tree. And she drove back roads till she found one that was nearly six feet tall, and nearly round, and she flocked that and decorated it with glass ornaments and set it just inside the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room, so the neighbors could also admire it. But that was the Christmas we'd also adopted three kittens from the shelter. You can figure out the rest of the story...

Like the Christmas I was still happily buying real trees because the nieces and nephew I adored would be here, and I'd found what looked like a perfect tree, 7 feet tall with a base over 4 feet in diameter, but it had one slightly bare spot, sort of an evergreen cave. Fortunately a nearby florist had teddy bear ornaments perfect for the bear/bare spot, ornaments I was happy to send home with the kids, and I think that was my favorite Christmas tree, even though it wasn't quite perfect...

I could wish for a couple of tables with family and friends gathered now. I could wish that those who are gone now, including beloved pets, were still here.

But I believe the ones who are gone are celebrating this holiday with loved ones on the other side. And I know how very lucky I am, to have those memories and others.

I hope all of you have lots of happy memories to unwrap, and that more happy memories will be made during these holidays.

[LakeArenal]

1. Merry Everyday🎄

Just Mr Lake and me. Cooked my first turkey in five Christmases. I’m jonesing for the leftovers!!!🎄🍗🥂

Peace on Earth. Goodwill for All.


PS Spent the Eve with one who has MAGA Non-filter. Usually drops a bomb during dinner. This year not one offensive word. So nice…. Maybe there is a faux back to normal.

[highplainsdem]

11. Hope you and Mr. Lake had a great day! Two of my siblings also had

a quiet, spouse-only Christmas, since their kids are with their in-laws. They were fine with the peace and quiet.

[LakeArenal]

22. Right now our neighbors are partying with a live band.

Not so quiet!🎶😆🎄🥳


LIG. Life is Good❣️

[XanaDUer2]

2. Merry Xmas feel better nt

[highplainsdem]

12. Thanks! Hope you've had a good Christmas!

[XanaDUer2]

17. We couldn't afford meat for our meal

But it was fine. At least we had food

[highplainsdem]

21. Oh, no. I'm so sorry to hear that. Meat prices have become ridiculous.

[PortTack]

3. Thx for the much needed cheer! Circumstances have made this a "memorable" holiday

Memorable in that it will be remembered, but that’s about it.

Was doing pretty good with it until today. It’s mostly just fatigue…no sleep.

Hope the best for all those here on DU!!

[highplainsdem]

13. You're welcome! And I'm sorry to hear about the fatigue and

lack of sleep. Hope everything will be going much better for you soon.

[debm55]

4. Merry Christmas, highplainsdem. Thank you for sharing your memories with us. I enjoyed reading your

post of Christmas passed.

[highplainsdem]

14. Merry Christmas to you, too, Deb! DU and people like you have

made this an enjoyable Christmas.

[dflprincess]

5. Merry Christmas!

I enjoyed your memories!

And, FWIW, I've found that black elderberry syrup seems to do a better job of boosting my immune system than vitamin C.

[highplainsdem]

15. Merry Christmas! And thanks for the recommendation of that syrup.

[SheltieLover]

6. Pretty much what I'm doing today.

😉

Ty for sharing yours with us!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

7. Yikes me too!!! First time ever being alone at Christmas

But lived through it!! Wasn't so bad. Have it SO much better than SO many people. Lesson I learned this day

[SheltieLover]

9. The memories seem surreal.

Like 50 lifetimes ago, dob't they?

Maybe it's just me?

Yes, we survive it. Together.

Sadly, it's not a first for me.

[highplainsdem]

16. {{{{{SheltieLover}}}}} Just keep in mind that the

memories are real, the experiences and the shared love were real, and time can't change that reality.

I still cherish memories of the Christmases at my grandfather's farm, when there were often 30 or more people in the house, and even with two large tables, we'd eat dinner in shifts. My grandparents' generation is long gone, and the only one left of my mom's generation is her baby sister, the youngest of that generation. And one of my cousins passed away, too young, of a heart attack.

But I can still see and hear those holidays. The laughter, the singing, the feasting and drinking (lots of drinking, German-American family). They were real. And I can picture the people who are gone, imagine them young and healthy again, celebrating on the other side.

And that helps me when I can't be with the people I love who are still here.

[SheltieLover]

19. Yes, you're right.

Thx, Highplains!

[housecat]

8. "Thanks for the memories" Jack Benny

[highplainsdem]

18. You're welcome! And thanks for the reminder of a great song.

I think it was most often associated with Bob Hope, but Jack Benny might have sung it, too.

[housecat]

24. You're right thanks. Bob Hope

[Laura PourMeADrink]

10. Yes! I like to imagine loved ones gone are having Christmas dinner

With Queen Elizabeth.

Thanks for this post HPD ! Very heartwarming.

[highplainsdem]

20. You're welcome! And thanks for the image of loved ones

having Christmas dinner with Queen Elizabeth.

As someone who loves 16th century history, though, my first thought was of my loved ones in Elizabethan garb, which I think most of them would object to, lol.

But I think you probably meant Elizabeth II. Who from what I've heard could be a delightful dinner companion. I remember a lovely photo of her with the Obamas: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100217135498 .

[Laura PourMeADrink]

23. Wow. That's beautiful. I imagine my dad and others

Just being in awe . And not in a bad way at all, but sillily trying to impress. And when dinner was over saying phew, throwing the old tie off, "Glad that's over"

I know this sounds crazy but imagined my dad and his dear buddies who have passed - somewhere - and there was a buzz. Someone HUGE was coming. And it was QE 2

[Mr.Bill]

25. In my 20s I lived alone in an apartment for nine years.

I spent a number of holidays alone and I dare say I sort of came to like it.

[Raine]

26. VERY nice to remember 🥰 thanks for the reminder

I spent the holiday with extended family ... cousins which was pleasant but I still miss my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. All are gone but really just a loving memory away and I can hold them close that way. I like to think they were all together for the holiday along with all my fur kids that I know they look after till I join them all. 💕♥️