This year I find myself reminiscing about Christmases prior. Remembering the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, wrapping gifts, planning a meal, and having the family over for dinner and gift opening. The beauty of the Christmas tree lights sparkling in the dark over the perfectly stacked Christmas gifts and the living room looking like a massive hurricane went through after the gifts have been opened.
Andy Roney once said, “One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.”
That sums up my memories and what I am missing. I don’t want to be in Michigan, with the cold and snow. The last winter I was there, I took a fall on the ice that sealed the deal for me as far as heading south in the winter. That doesn’t mean I don’t miss the beauty of winter scenes when I see them in photographs.
I miss the fun of watching my children and grandchildren open their gifts. The fun of having everyone together. The joy of having a decorated tree and house, lots of chatter, and the mess it all leaves behind.
I now winter in southern Arizona. I don’t own a winter coat; the coldest it gets here is a sweatshirt and jeans. The motorhome doesn’t have room for a large tree, and even a tiny one only fits on the dashboard. Holiday decorating is minimal to non-existent.
The RV Park has holiday gatherings and activities, so we aren’t without anything to do. It just isn’t the same. Cherish your good times because memories may someday be all you have. With that I am going to leave you with a few pictures of Christmases in my past…some of my Merry Christmas Memories.
--- LIFE IS A MELTING POT --- Grace Grogan...Writer, Photographer 