Thursday, December 8, 2016

Christmas' Of The Past

We often reminisce about the past at Christmas time.  I remember my childhood Christmas' vividly.  I was the youngest child, and there was always something going on around my house, so I watched with open eyes and curiosity.



I was a happy carefree kid, and I guess you could say that I was a lot like Elizabeth from The Walton's with brothers and sisters older than her.


One year for Christmas I wanted a blue sting-ray bike, and after opening up all my presents, my dad told me to go to the pantry outside for an ingredient for breakfast.  He always made a BIG breakfast Christmas morning.


I didn't want to go outside because it was cold, but we always did what we were told, so I walked to the outside pantry, opened the door, and to my surprise there was a shiny blue sting-ray bike waiting for me to ride.  I was overjoyed and hugged my mom and dad tight.


My mom had many traditions at Christmas, but she wasn't too original with our gifts.  When my sister got a pair of mittens, you can bet I got a pair as well.  If I got a scarf, my sister would get one too.   But she had five children to think about and did the best she could.


She always put red balls on her Christmas tree - just lights, tinsel, and red.  Through the years, ornaments also hung on her tree, but in the early years, she decorated it very simply.  When she passed away, I wanted to get some of those vintage red balls to remember her, but never got around to taking them.

 
It never snowed at Christmas where I lived, but was always very cold, and sometimes so cold that frost would appear on all the lawns.


Oh, it's funny how we reminisce about our childhood Christmas'.  I have to say that mine were pleasant ones, and back then when we didn't get that much or ask for that much, it seems that life was uncomplicated in many ways.  And I'm grateful to my brothers and sister for protecting and looking out for me........ this youngest child of five.


~Sheri

30 comments:

Susie said...

Sheri, I loved seeing your pictures. I also enjoyed the story of your new bike. My sister Jeanie and I always got the exact same things for Christmas.:):) Growing up it wasn't much either. I think we parents do tend to buy similar things for the boys or the girls. I know my daughters got lots of things that were near the same.LOL. Blessings, love you, xoxo, Susie

Stephanie said...

Sweet Sheri, what precious Christmas memories. I so enjoyed your warm thoughts and your lovely pictures :)

Thinking of you during this Christmas season. Love and hugs to you!

P.S. -I LOVE the new header!

Pilar said...

Thanks for sharing so many of your wonderful Christmas memories! I've always wanted it to snow on Christmas, but it doesn't snow much here lol.

Sherry said...

what sweet memories..♥

R's Rue said...

Smile.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Sheri, I love your memories. So sweet. I was one of four and frequently my Mama gave us girls similar gifts as well. You were such a cutie. Your photos are priceless. Enjoy every moment of this Christmas season, my friend. ♥

Jeanie said...

I love this post so much, Sheri. I love the fabulous family photos and the story of how you were lured into discovering your bike is just precious! I wish you had your mom's ornaments. There are so many things that slip away sometimes. But I'll bet with every red ball you hang on your tree you think of her -- even if you just bought it yourself.

Might be my fave post of the day!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love these photos too! And it's one of the best times of the year to remember the fun we had during this holidays! I loved being out of school for so long and playing with all my new toys. Holiday hugs!

Carla from The River said...

What a sweet post, Sheri. I love the photos you shared of your siblings. The last one is a treasure.
Love, Carla

It's me said...

Love Ria ❤️❤️❤️

Unknown said...

Such sweet family pictures and memories, Sheri. I love this post. I got the same bike as you- a big banana seat and I think tassels on the handlebars. I remember that bike - it was SO pretty in all it's shiny turquoise glory!
Wonderful memories! Happy holidays to you and yours this season, Sheri.
xx, Heather

TARYTERRE said...

Such sweet memories of your mom and dad and Christmas as a child. Love the picture at the end. Precious indeed.

Beauty Follower said...

Lovely post dear!

http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr/

busyandfab said...

Such a wonderful Christmas memories, I can see you had a very happy childhood that's why you're such an awesome mother. Wishing you have a lovely Christmas Sheri with your girls. Cheers!!!

www.busyandfab.com

Red Rose Alley said...

What beautiful stories, mom. When I was a little girl, I always loved hearing your stories about growing up, and I still do. So much of this really gets at the heart of what Christmas is all about. Love you! ~ Nel

Mary Palumbo Collings said...

What beautiful memories of your family Christmas Sheri, I love the silver tree... memories of growing up for sure, and the bike too! The photos of you with your siblings are priceless! Love it all...
XOXO Mary

Karen said...

I enjoyed hearing about your childhood Christmas memories. As kids we received a few simple gifts, and we were so excited to open them. (I love the record player in the background)

here I am-Andrea said...

Niveau pics and wonderful story of your childhood. I remember xmas as such a beautiful time in my childhood too.
XOXO Andrea

Lowcarb team member said...

Wonderful photo's and memories of Christmas you have shared here...

We each have our own most special family memories, and at this time of year they so often seem, and are, that little bit more special.

Enjoy the remainder of Friday and have a lovely weekend.

All the best Jan

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

These are cherished memories, Sheri, and I love that you were happy with the simple and loving life you had. Your family photo is just precious! I was the eldest of five girls, so I have the perspective of taking care of my baby sisters. The youngest is always the baby, no matter how old they get! I remember those sting-ray bikes, too. My sisters had them, but I had an 'English Racer' with all the gears. It was quite a bike and was a pain because the chain would fall off every once in a while if I shifted too fast. Sorry you didn't get your Mother's red Christmas balls....It's those little things that bring the sweetest memories, isn't it? This time of year can be very bittersweet and fill us with such longing for those days gone by. We just have to keep them under lock and key in our hearts, always. Sending hugs and blessings for your week. xo Karen

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Christmas is an elixir for youth. I'd like to think that amongst us who celebrate it, that there isn't a person who doesn't return back to his/her childhood. Whenever this holiday comes around, I automatically go back to when I was 7 or 8. Lately, I've been running these images in my mind of the smallest details of Christmases past. Particular ornaments on my parents' trees, my father's beautiful homemade manger, my aunts and uncles together in the kitchen, making tamales for the family dinner. Christmas is when the lights turn back on and we find ourselves in the past. Enjoy every memory my friend!

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Dear Sheri,
I just love this post. What a beautiful family you have.. I really enjoyed reading about your childhood Christmas. My sister and I always received the same gift also! Only difference was the color.. How funny.
Wishing you and yours a beautiful holiday season, Sheri.. I feel so blessed to know you. Your kindness, humor and friendship are a gift.
blessings,
Penny

Imogen said...

This is so super adorable, great to read about this. It's so true we think about the past a lot at Christmas. I remember the Waltons so well, my family used to have it on all the time.

roughterrain crane said...

Happy memories in childhood give us strength through our lives.

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Sheri, What a wonderful post! Your family memories are precious and will be with you forever. Your family is similar to mine. There were 3 girls and 3 boys in our family. At Christmas we would always get the same pajamas, slippers, sweaters, just in different colors. Thank you for sharing your Christmas stories, loved them.
Hugs, Jody ♥

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

This is so sweet and what cherished and lovely memories you have dear Sheri. That is one of my favorite things about Christmas time are the memories.
We are blessed to have them, aren't we? Some people are not as fortunate as us.
One of my memories is of my Mom and Dad hooking up my sled to the pack of the pickup with a rope and pulling me down the snowy country roads! It was so cold as the wind kicked up the snow and it danced around me-I loved it!
Love,
Jemma

Dewena said...

Oh Sheri, I love your Christmas memories post, told both through words and pictures that do indeed remind me of one of my favorite television series, although you were much younger, my dear!

Isn't it amazing that the simple Christmases of our youth shine so brightly? We could probably learn a lot from them and make it a lot easier on ourselves today. I remember that my mother put all of my presents in one dress box, but with 3 other sisters she just didn't have time to wrap up lots of presents. I was just glad that one of the gifts in the box was always a new Nancy Drew book!

Merry Christmas to you, Sheri!

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Sheri,

Lovely to read of the happy memories of your childhood and see the sweet photos.
My childhood was like yours, life seemed much more simple and we were happy to get a few little gifts in a pillowcase at the end of our beds.
Also have been enjoying seeing your homes decorated for Christmas.
Have a great week
hugs
Carolyn

Anonymous said...

Hi Sheri, catching up here today. What a beautiful photograph of you and your siblings. How very blessed you are to have brothers and sisters. BOTH my husband and I are only children and we never really felt the need for a sibling growing up, but now that we're older we both wish we had a brother or a sister.
Enjoyed sharing your memories today, my friend.
Merry merry.
xoxo

handmade by amalia said...

I enjoyed your Christmas memories, Sheri. Family, traditions and memories are what the holidays are all about.
Amalia
xo