tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post2749526830821043040..comments2024-03-28T14:00:57.504-07:00Comments on Eye on the Edge: Ghosts of Christmases pastDJanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07152183871573797791noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-29697769525569344232011-12-22T06:41:55.053-08:002011-12-22T06:41:55.053-08:00I can totally relate to this post. As a child and ...I can totally relate to this post. As a child and young adult it is all about the wanting - now it is all about the giving. I will begin the big downsize after the first of the year. We'll move back to our small place at the Lake so much has to go. I've downsized my closet and more will go at the end of the season. The closet in our condo is small and I'm determined not to have more than will fit. How much to we actually wear, anyway? Like you, I prefer quite celebrations. Merry Christmas, DJan - thank you for being my blogging friend. :-)Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13178290697351352495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-83443398001972046762011-12-20T19:28:01.818-08:002011-12-20T19:28:01.818-08:00Lovely old photo..is that a dog in the right?
Yo...Lovely old photo..is that a dog in the right? <br />You have some great memories..I unwrapped a package once too..it was a game..I don't remember which one..I should have known that by the shape of the box. <br />You seem to be getting rid of some of your excess..scarfs..earrings ..clothing..?? <br />I need to get rid of some "stuff" too..for a long time..I was only buying items that were used up ..food..paper products etc.. and recycled goods...I need to work toward that end again:)Far Side of Fiftyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07995757632158408442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-37816622500406183782011-12-20T19:23:26.480-08:002011-12-20T19:23:26.480-08:00I can relate with much of what you said here. My ...I can relate with much of what you said here. My husband and I want for nothing and really have no need to exchange gifts. Because of the kids and the grandkids, I carry on traditions of decorating and such, but there have been years when I did not. This year it has been a comfort to get out the decorations.<br /><br />I think wistfully of my childhood Christmas celebrations where aunts, uncles, and cousins all gathered at my grandparents. Those days are gone forever, but they were good days full of happy memories.Sally Wesselyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06470453773515491625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-41173198040957361752011-12-20T00:52:58.602-08:002011-12-20T00:52:58.602-08:00A lovely post DJan!
I laughed when I read that on...A lovely post DJan!<br /><br />I laughed when I read that one year you guys found your Christmas presents! I don't think we ever found our presents from my parents (my mom was too good at hiding things!), but one year we did agree on what to get each other (some Barbies and Kens) and actually took them out of the box and played with them a bit before wrapping them up! It was definitely a weird Christmas and we never did it again...<br /><br />I find myself in between the feelings you describe (childhood Christmas all about getting, now about giving). I truly love the giving of gifts, trying to find something <i>just right</i> for that one person (which can be so frustrating sometimes!), and the smiles on their faces when they open it! But I still look forward to finding out what my family might be getting <i>me</i>! ;o)<br /><br />I've been going through the old Christmas photos (not always easy to find!) and I've come to realise that very rarely was it just the five of us for Christmas (sometimes yes for Christmas Eve when we were in the US). It's always been a bit of a crazy, hectic evening celebration in my family... but then we like it that way! This year my cousin and her companion and their daughter are joining us and I look forward to seeing the little girl's face when she sees what Santa has left in her stocking! :o)CrazyCrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240982215608638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-16087533915082270722011-12-19T19:03:26.637-08:002011-12-19T19:03:26.637-08:00You have truly learned to simplify. You sound so ...You have truly learned to simplify. You sound so at peace with your circumstances. That's lovely.Linda Reederhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665601809156707572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-39662820775900720702011-12-19T15:43:45.083-08:002011-12-19T15:43:45.083-08:00Excellent description of childhood Christmas exper...Excellent description of childhood Christmas experience. I'm sure many seniors can see themselves as children and now, not wishing to receive much. Givings the thing!Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17996243850279671523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-66213270503083223352011-12-19T02:52:02.732-08:002011-12-19T02:52:02.732-08:00I agree. Christmas isn't a big thing for me a...I agree. Christmas isn't a big thing for me anymore, either. I rarely decorate and am home with Karma and that's the way I like it. I love watching the Christmas specials and my favorite movies and listening to the music and carols on Pandora...filled with the holiday spirit, but prefer to be home than to all the running about. The only people I'd care to see are far away or Dagan and Leah, but they're doing the running from here to there--LOL!<br /><br />Christmas was special at home growing up because there was less fighting. Mom and Dad must have loved Christmas. It was the best time of year from Thanksgiving till Christmas! I remember very few gifts, actually...just that everybody was happy. ;)<br /><br />Would love to hear some Christmas memories of yours--yes! :):)Ritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-30307424633865317892011-12-18T21:54:00.616-08:002011-12-18T21:54:00.616-08:00Your cherished memories of your parents and yester...Your cherished memories of your parents and yester-years really hit home. How we change as we get older. Bless your dear heart for bringing so much happiness to others. The world is a better place because there are people like you. Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart and soul.<br /><br />May you and your husband have a joyous Christmas and a very Happy New Year.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04828446398677256936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-5336638664328402892011-12-18T19:26:26.299-08:002011-12-18T19:26:26.299-08:00Some of my favorite photos are those vintage ones ...Some of my favorite photos are those vintage ones of myself and my siblings on Christmas morning. I love looking at the "old" stuff, and I still love vintage toys.<br /><br />I am also to the age where there isn't much I want or need, and I can just get those things myself. I still love to give, though, and especially love giving things that are meaningful to those I love.Sandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15923693784234135636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-26461110542764493022011-12-18T17:11:24.300-08:002011-12-18T17:11:24.300-08:00I'm slowly getting into the spirit albeit in a...I'm slowly getting into the spirit albeit in a quieter way than usual this year.<br /><br />I also find that giving brings me much more pleasure than receiving....so much so that I find it near impossible not to go ahead and give the gifts meant for Christmas!<br /><br />I love that picture - it is precious.Gigihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05467164195744234746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-56198170014231660812011-12-18T17:02:12.439-08:002011-12-18T17:02:12.439-08:00One thing I really enjoy is looking at the ornamen...One thing I really enjoy is looking at the ornaments on our tree. Although my children are adults now, I still have their ornaments from childhood projects on the tree. When my mother died I kept some of her ornaments and think of her when I hang them on the tree. So many Christmas memories are in those ornaments. Our tree is artificial. I miss the smell of fresh evergreen, but not the mess and fire danger.#1Nanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04214011945298439939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-47386411454133838612011-12-18T13:40:44.469-08:002011-12-18T13:40:44.469-08:00Lovely to look back at your photo from times gone ...Lovely to look back at your photo from times gone by. It's a time to reminisce isn't it? L and I have been doing that a lot lately too. I love the idea of a new fluffy bathrobe. I'm sure you'll get a lot of pleasure out of that.<br />Like you say, it's nicer to give than receive as you get older.<br />Happy Christmas D-Jan.<br />Blessings, StarStella Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06699491230987143490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-89105299852696271302011-12-18T12:56:03.704-08:002011-12-18T12:56:03.704-08:00I truly believe Christmas giving should only be fo...I truly believe Christmas giving should only be for children. That is where the magic is.<br />I too had one of those years where I found all my presents ahead of time. What a bummer. I got everything I had wanted but the painful acting I did on Christmas day faking surprise, made me swear--never again.Arkansas Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156004753267665579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-25561115449620744302011-12-18T11:35:36.157-08:002011-12-18T11:35:36.157-08:00The photo is a lovely Christmas memory for you! M...The photo is a lovely Christmas memory for you! My family has shrunk down to a precious few who are all some distance from me. I miss them most at Christmastime.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12020604933621899108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-92006043525394344872011-12-18T11:29:23.372-08:002011-12-18T11:29:23.372-08:00I pretty much see Christmas as a holiday for child...I pretty much see Christmas as a holiday for children. What a great picture of you and your parents, and your Mom's lacy apron is so cool. (I love all that vintage lacy stuff. :))<br />Honestly, I really don't even think about Christmas except for when I am reading blogs. Come the day, we will have a nice big dinner and that is a good thing--the coming together of a community.<br />Merry Christmas to you DJan!Rubye Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02511953177053448513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-72919426732675995372011-12-18T11:27:43.557-08:002011-12-18T11:27:43.557-08:00My mother was not an easy woman, but she gave my s...My mother was not an easy woman, but she gave my sister and me magnificent Christmases. I did just about exactly the same things for my children when they were kids.<br /><br />This year my son and his girlfriend and my granddaughters are arriving on the train on the 26th. We'll have a Christmas dinner with my other son and his girlfriend, and Santa will come to the girls for the first time at Grandma's. My son, with whom I have had a rocky relationship in some years, is helping mightily on this project. He says it's overdue.<br /><br />We get to do what we want these days. How great!Linda Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05706455533282204519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-42023852819066580392011-12-18T09:45:06.114-08:002011-12-18T09:45:06.114-08:00That's a good way of saying it, looking at Chr...That's a good way of saying it, looking at Christmases past while enjoying the present holiday season. I too have little I want these days. I feel so blessed to have what I want, plenty of clothes for all seasons and food to eat. All the extras do not entice me. Your belief in sharing with others is how I believe too. You were such a cutie baby and I also like seeing your mom's lap with the lacy apron and your dad leaning forward. Great photo.CiCihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02466038341689494316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-6676297007469008042011-12-18T09:26:46.426-08:002011-12-18T09:26:46.426-08:00"Now that I am older, it seems that acquiring..."Now that I am older, it seems that acquiring things has become more of a burden than a pleasure."<br />Isn't that the truth?<br />How much <i>crap</i> do I need in this life? Your Christmas sounds much like ours.<br />I'm trying out a new (EASY) cake recipe today....it might be replicated many times over as a gift item. :-)Junehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11710135137635433217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-4810026167482634692011-12-18T09:18:11.606-08:002011-12-18T09:18:11.606-08:00Like for you and your life partner (I like the ter...Like for you and your life partner (I like the term) our Christmas will be quiet but very pleasant, (all things being equal). <br /><br />We want for nothing, we don't need expensive or even cheap presents, a small gift and each other's company will be all we require. We will eat the food we like, drink a glass of champagne, or maybe two, and take the day as it comes. There will be music, a walk, a telephone call or two from family or distant friends, and maybe even a little nap after dinner, which we will have in the early afternoon. <br /><br />I can't think of a nicer way to spend the day. There's something to be said for slowing down!<br /><br />May I wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas.Frikohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04277167831642088694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-81209623602602306602011-12-18T07:52:02.039-08:002011-12-18T07:52:02.039-08:00Such a beautifully written essay, DJan! You were ...Such a beautifully written essay, DJan! You were a cute toddler. And, yes, like you, I don't want any more possessions. David and I don't buy each other presents anymore. What I would enjoy is a nice meal at a nice restaurant. My birthday is coming up next month, and I know my daughters will treat me to dinner. Looking forward to it. Simple pleasures!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-24770304463527482272011-12-18T07:42:11.876-08:002011-12-18T07:42:11.876-08:00What a great photo! I like your description of wha...What a great photo! I like your description of what was happening. It is the giving that is so much fun, although I keep Christmas pretty tame now. I actually have come to love the quiet that has grown around it.<br /><br />A nice Sunday post.Teresa Evangelinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05495114564099989481noreply@blogger.com