By Shannon Williams
One of the best parts of the Christmas season is the memories. They come from all the sites, sounds and smells that only come around this time of year. I like the process that we go though of “pulling” all of our Christmas out each year and then when it is finished packing it away. Well, I don’t so much like the act of doing all of that anymore as it is a chore, but I love the process.

It begins as you open each box of decorations and remember all over again where you got them, what your life was like at the time, and the love that goes behind them. I used to wonder why my mother would keep all of the old decorations. I wanted new ones each year as they were pretty and new, but I so understand now. I am very lucky to have some of her decorations and most of mine that I have gathered over the years. I worked at a floral shop during college and so I would use some of my paycheck to buy some of the beautiful items the shop carried, and I had a good discount so I got to start my collection, with some really wonderful items. I have a few of them left and always have to remark that they were my first real Christmas goodies of my very own. They are really getting tattered and torn, but I have hot glued them as much as I can. Each year I have to give up on some of them and it breaks my heart. I have saved a few that I no longer put out, but just don’t have the strength to toss them!

Giving Christmas decorations to your friends is great fun and for years to come you remember that person and what they meant to you. If you are blessed with long term friends, you can have a good collection of these goodies from the same person! Of course, some of those friends or family are no longer with us and there is always a little sadness as I put each of those out. I have already started writing notes to my son about where some of my collection came from and from who. Each year, I gift him some of them that he would recall from his childhood for his tree. I love getting the call when he gets them. Most of the time he remembers them, but a few times I have to tell him the story. Growing up with me, he is used to everything having a story or a meaning and listening to them all several times LOL.

I have used the same candle scent for more years that I can recall and the first time I light one each year, it just brings the season into my heart. I am so glad that Dillard’s still carries them, but know that one day they will go away and be replaced with something new. I shall be most unhappy when that time comes.

I try not to listen to Holiday music until at least Thanksgiving night. I usually start with one of the new ones that has come out that year, but in no time, the old favorites are being played and that’s when my emotions just go all over the place. That is what happened today.  I listen to Spotify, so it knows my favorites and today it played one from the album that John Denver put out with the Muppets. It’s a medley of Alfie, the Carol for a Christmas Tree and It’s in Everyone of us, and has great memories that go with it. It was the Christmas of 1990, I was pregnant with my son, Evan. We were full of hope and love and the season. We had a home recording studio and would put out a cassette tape (yes, it was a long time ago) of cover songs. I loved this song, so Evan’s dad decided to put it on that year’s tape. The song has some narration which I did and then we had a bunch of friends over to sing the song together! It was such a joyous time and I love to listen to that song when I can. Unfortunately, the original recording that was made that night no longer exists and most of the friends who were with us that evening have died. I sent my son a clip from YOUTUBE today and told the story (which I know he has heard many times), but have put the lyrics below, and here is the link to YouTube.

“Did you ever hear the story of the Christmas tree
Who just didn’t want to change the show
He liked living in the woods and playing with squirrels
He liked icicles and snow
He liked wolves and eagles and grizzly bears
And critters and creatures that crawled
Why bugs were some of his very best friends
Spiders and ants and all
Now that’s not to say that he ever looked down
On a vision of twinkled lights
Or on mirrored bubbles and peppermint canes
And a thousand ot And he often had dreams of tiny reindeer
And a jolly old man in a sleigh
Full of toys and presents and wonderful things
And a story of Christmas day
Oh, Alfie believed in Christmas alright
He was full of Christmas cheer
All of each and every day
And all throughout the year
To him it was more than a special time
Much more than a special day
It was more than a special story,
it was more than a beautiful story
It was a special kind of way her delights
You see some folks have never heard a jingle bell ring
And they’ve never heard of Santa Claus
They’ve never heard the story of the Son of God
That made Alfie pause
Did that mean that they’d never know of peace on earth
Or the brotherhood of man
Or know how to love, or know how to give
If they can’t no one can
You see, life is a very special kind of thing
Not just for a chosen few
But for each and every living, breathing thing
Not just me and you
So when you’re at Christmas prayers this year
Alfie asked me if I’d ask you
Say a prayer for the wind and the water and the wood
And those who live there too.

“It’s in every one of us to be wise
Find your heart, open up both your eyes
We can all know everything without ever knowing why
It’s in every one of us, by and by

I hope that as you take out your treasures, the joy and peace of the season fills your heart and your home, and you take time to create memories. They are the Christmas gift that just keeps on giving each year and for years to come, long after we are gone.

[SW: Dec-5-2023]