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I adore Christmas!

And much of that has to do with how much my parents adored it; making Christmas such a special and memorable time for our family.

Even at my age, I still feel the same as I did when I was a kid, happy and excited as Christmas draws near. And it has nothing to do with giving and receiving presents because quite frankly, I don't do much of that. It's mainly about how I feel this time of year. I don't exactly know how to explain it, other than I feel a childlike tickle inside my heart that fills me with a sense of joy, wonderment, and believing.

I enjoy Christmas so much that I will actually start humming and singing Christmas songs while walking down the street; while shopping at Trader Joe's; and even while at work. I also love watching my favorite Christmas movies because they touch me so. I just recently watched, The Bells of St. Mary, and laughed and cried my eyes out because it was so sweet, innocent, and filled with true Christmas spirit, which to me, is a spirit that reminds us to retain a soft and open heart.

Both my parents have long passed away. However, I feel them especially close this time of year.

Christmas brings forth a melancholy in me. But in a good way. Because I am reminded of how blessed I was to have had my mother and father as my parents. So yes, Christmas generates a bit of heartbreak within me because I miss them.Yet at the same time, I am filled with such warm and comforting memories that make my heart smile and expand.

When I think of my parents and my childhood, I am continually reminded that Christmas is not a season...it's a feeling.

A feeling that will remain in my heart forever.

Thank you...


Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

26 comments:

  1. Oooh Ron, I love this post. I think back but sadly I have no great memories of Christmas. The war years did a lot to stem celebrations and being an only child didn't help. I worshiped my Dad but he was seldom there but if he had been it would have been wonderful. I know he would have made it for me if he could. Therefore I think of him and rejoice that he was my Dad.

    I have been watching some old movies which, I have to say, were more enjoyable than the modern stuff. And yes, I weep over some. I am a music lover so a lot of my time is spent listening and (sometimes) dancing to the music. I used to be a dancer so Charlie is now seeing the new me!!!

    Have a wonderful Christmas, dear friend xx

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  2. Such a stunning couple! You sure do look like your Dad. I'm glad you have those wonderful Christmas memories. This is the first Christmas for my husband without his Dad and I'm trying to be extra conscious of that fact. I bought him a shirt with his Dad's college on it and Middle Child got him an ornament from that college as well.

    Ron, I hope you have a Merry Christmas and that 2018 is a great one. You'll be in NYC, so it will not be a boring one! XO

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  3. Oh Ron, what a beautiful post! You had me in tears at the end, but as you said, in a good way. I love how you expressed the spirit of Christmas, a spirit that reminds us to retain a soft and open heart. I agree.

    Your parents were such an attractive couple, wow! Don't you love how people dressed up back then? So classy.

    Merry Christmas, Ron! It's been a pleasure getting to know you through your blog.

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  4. Hey there Valerie!

    "I know he would have made it for me if he could. Therefore I think of him and rejoice that he was my Dad."

    That's awesome!!!! And I admire you so much for taking your Christmas experience as a child; turning it around and finding the joy in rejoicing that he was your Dad, knowing he would have been there if he could.

    I agree...I love the older, classic movies to the modern ones because they seem to capture the heart and simplicity of the true spirit of Christmas. I also love how simple and down-to-earth they were.

    " I used to be a dancer so Charlie is now seeing the new me!!!"

    HA! OMG...I LOVE that!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear friend. Wishing you and Charlie a Happy and Peaceful Christmas!

    X

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  5. Aw....thank you :) My parents had a 22 year age difference between them, but they somehow complimented each other perfectly. My father had such amazing energy for a man his age, and my mother (even though younger) had a hard time keeping up with him. My father also looked much younger than his age, and my mother (who was beautiful) had an older maturity about her, so it was hard to tell which one was younger and which one was older.

    "I bought him a shirt with his Dad's college on it and Middle Child got him an ornament from that college as well."

    That's awesome! And I'm sure he's going to LOVE them! That was so thoughtful of you and Middle Child. I remember the first Christmas without my parents and it was very challenging. Even now, I still get a weepy at this time of year.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

    And thanks so much for being such a loyal and constant friend. I really appreciate that.

    X ya!

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  6. Thank you, Candice :) I get a bit melancholy around this time of year because I have such strong memories of my parents and how they made Christmas so special for us kids. They were both like kids themselves, so they enjoyed Christmas through our eyes. I feel blessed to have had them as my parents.

    That picture was taken back in the early-60's at a New Year's Eve party my parents attended. They looked so good, didn't they? You're right, people back then dressed so classy. As a kid, I thought the 50's and 60's were such a boring time, yet when I looked back on those times now, I realize how faaaaaaabulous they were!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! So nice meeting you this year!

    X

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  7. Beautiful Christmas massage, Ron! I agree with you, Christmas isn't a season, it's a feeling. And it's a feeling that should remain in our hearts all year long.

    I LOVE the picture of your parents. How attractive they are! You and your father looked so much alike!

    I'm sure you've been slammed at your job with it being so close to Christmas. Hope you have a relaxing and fun day off on Monday.

    Merry Christmas, Ron! XO

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  8. Ron, I feel the same about Christmas. I never get tired of hearing the holiday music or movies. In fact, my girlfriend and I just watched "Elf" with Will Ferrell. Last week we watched the classic, "It's a Wonderful Life" Such a touching story.

    The photograph of your mother and father is brilliant. What a great looking couple. I love the look on your fathers eyes. You can tell he was so happy!

    Merry Christmas, dude!

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  9. Happy Christmas to you, too, Ron! Is that last photo of your folks? What a handsome couple they were. I know you must miss them -- I miss my dad as well, especially as he died on New Year's Eve -- but how good that we both can feel their presence regardless.

    I love watching the old Christmas classic movies. There was such an innocence about them, and I don't even mind that they're in black and white! And George Bailey can still make me weepy!

    Here's to a beautiful Christmas -- and to a Christmas-all-year feeling in your heart! xx

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  10. Hola Denise!

    "And it's a feeling that should remain in our hearts all year long."

    I agree because how fast to we seem to forget after Christmas is gone.

    Ha! Yes, when I was a kid, whenever people would meet me after knowing my father they would always say, "I can tell you're Frank's son!"

    It hasn't been too bad this season. We've been busy, customers seem to be in good spirits, so it's been a lot of fun.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!

    X

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  11. Hiya Matt!

    OMG...I have the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" on DVD, so I watch it every year! It's a movie that really touches your heart, isn't it? I've never seen "Elf" but everyone who has tells me it's GREAT! I love anything Will Ferrell is in, so I know I would enjoy it.

    I love that picture of my parent because they both looked so happy and in love! That picture was taken at a New Year's Eve party they attended back in the 60's!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Wishing you and your girlfriend a Merry Christmas!

    X

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  12. Hellooooooo there Debbie!

    Yup...that's a picture of my parents. It was taken in the 60's at a New Year's Eve party they attended. That picture makes me smile because I'm so proud that they were my parents.

    " I miss my dad as well, especially as he died on New Year's Eve -- but how good that we both can feel their presence regardless."

    Yes....how good that we both can feel their presence and recall how much we were loved

    "There was such an innocence about them, and I don't even mind that they're in black and white! And George Bailey can still make me weepy!"

    You're right! And I think that because they were in black and white, it added to innocence. Movies back then were so simple, yet so sweet and heartfelt. And I agree...George Bailey STILL makes me cry!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you and your family a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

    "and to a Christmas-all-year feeling in your heart! "

    Amen!

    X

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  13. Ron, I just wanted to stop by before my husband and I left town to wish you a Merry Christmas! Beautiful post! I love the way you express your thoughts and feelings. And I couldn't agree with you more, Christmas is a time for reflection, gratitude and spending time with those we love. The whole pressure of buying gifts and feeling stressed over it takes away the enjoyment. I used to be that way when I was younger, but now our families get together, relax, have a nice dinner, and just spend the day being with each other. Which is exactly what we're getting ready to do today.

    The photo of your parents is so beautiful. They were such a strikingly attractive couple. Your mother looks like a glamorous movie star!

    Have a Merry Christmas, Ron! Have a wonderful day tomorrow!
    xo

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  14. Greetings Elaine!

    "Christmas is a time for reflection, gratitude and spending time with those we love. The whole pressure of buying gifts and feeling stressed over it takes away the enjoyment."

    You are so right about that, I couldn't have said it any better. Getting together with family or friends for dinner or just a glass of wine and some munchies is the perfect way to celebrate Christmas. I actually prefer being quiet and laying low with just a few people. I don't like big parties or going out.

    " our families get together, relax, have a nice dinner, and just spend the day being with each other. Which is exactly what we're getting ready to do today."

    Sounds AWESOME!

    Thank you :) My mother always reminded me of Grace Kelly. My mother was a very down-to -earth and casual lady. However, we she got all dressed up to go out for a special occasion, she looked very glamorous!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

    X

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  15. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comTuesday, December 26, 2017

    Lovely post - I so agree that Christmas is a feeling! This is the first Christmas without my dad, so I understand that feeling of sadness mixed in with the joy.

    Wishing you a wonderfully joyful year ahead!

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  16. " This is the first Christmas without my dad, so I understand that feeling of sadness mixed in with the joy."

    It's such a bittersweet feeling isn't it, Fiona? Many times this month, I found myself recalling my childhood Christmas's; feeling both heart filled and heartache.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Joyful New Year!
    X

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  17. Great photo of your folks.

    This has been a melancholy Christmas for me, but in general I love it. The lights, the food, all of it. You're right that it is a feeling.

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  18. Thank you :) I found that photograph in a box of old photographs. It was taken during a New Years Eve party they attended.

    "This has been a melancholy Christmas for me, but in general I love it."

    Isn't it something how Christmas can feel almost bittersweet for those of us who have lost family members and/or close friends? One of my coworkers lost her brother last year, so this Christmas was very hard for her.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. So glad to hear that you had an enjoyable Christmas.

    Wishing you a Happy New Year!
    X

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  19. Beautiful post, Ron! Terrific photograph. What an attractive couple. And from your words, they sounded like such wonderful parents.

    Hope you had a Merry Christmas!

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  20. Hey there Daniel!

    Thank you :) Even though I miss them a lot, I feel blessed to look back at this time and still feel the joy and happiness they gave us at Christmas. They were very cool parents!

    Hope you had a Merry Christmas as well! Happy New Year!
    X

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  21. Ron, how about this cold (freezing) weather we're having? I know you love the cold, but this is COLD.

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  22. OMG...I am LOVING it! Everyone is complaining about it, but I'm in heaven - HA! This winter makes up for the past two winters that were not cold at all, or had much snow. X

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  23. This is a beautiful tribute to your parents. And what a treasure this photo is! I've always believed the happiest people are those who carry the spirit and meaning of Christmas in their hearts all year round. I love all things Christmas, but think there are aspects that have taken the commercialization of the holiday too far. The older Christmas movies are my favorite--especially the original version of Miracle on 34th Street. May you always feel the magic of Christmas in your heart!

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  24. Thank you so much, Lisa!

    I found that photograph in a box of old family photographs and it instantly made me smile and recall my parents and my childhood.

    "I've always believed the happiest people are those who carry the spirit and meaning of Christmas in their hearts all year round."

    Yes, me as well. Christmas is not just once a year, it's a feeling that should be all year long - in our hearts.

    " The older Christmas movies are my favorite--especially the original version of Miracle on 34th Street."

    Meeeeee too! The original version with Natalie Wood as the young girl. She was sooooooooo sweet!

    I agree....the commercialization of the holiday gets out of hand.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope your Christmas was a merry one!

    Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!

    Cheers and X

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  25. Except for the gift giving/receiving, which we do (fairly large list, too) I feel exactly the same about Christmas. Memories of my parents from years ago are both a comfort, and sad because of missing them so. Ron put a movie on one night that I watched as a kid in the 70s... take you right back.
    This year, Christmas was a bit more of a challenge than other years...blog post coming soon...lol...but sitting here now with the spice candle burning and the tree lit and the little decorations around and the snow coming... that feeling is all around and it's wonderful.
    Perfect photo! Thanks for sharing.

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  26. Hello Mary!

    " Memories of my parents from years ago are both a comfort, and sad because of missing them so. Ron put a movie on one night that I watched as a kid in the 70s... take you right back."

    Yes...Isn't is amazing how looking at an old family photograph or a movie you watched as a kid instantly takes you back there?

    Looking forward to reading your next post. Hope you're Christmas was a joyous one.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend!

    X

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