Thursday 24 December 2009

BLD No. 16






















































Dad cooking in the kitchen and making the best stuffing in the world. Our turkey was cooked in a brown paper bag. Dad of the big gestures giving Mom the most extravagant gifts which she always loved.

Mom always looking beautiful and giving the kids tons of kisses and hugs and saying that Santa was going to be coming later that night.

Harry pushing his hair back and wearing a black leather vest, having his name called out to come and get his gift.

Kathy getting fabric from Nana and tossing it on the table.

Mom’s golden boy Dwain getting a drum set that Harry had convinced them to get Dwain because Harry said Dwain was really talented, and he was and still is.

Suzie getting a watch and fainting at Mass.

Mickey getting her Christmas presents marked with ‘Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday.’

Camille wearing a blue dress and shutting the car door before I got in and they left me at church.

Jacquie wearing a brown dress that matched Camille’s blue one. Jacquie getting new pajamas that matched Camilles’. Jacquie getting more stuffed animals.

Me getting to open the Sears Christmas catalogue. Me getting left at church and brought home by a stranger on Christmas Day (they never even knew I was missing). Me getting a cowgirl doll that even had an extra outfit. Me leaning against Mom while the adults and older kids played poker.

Colette and me sitting on plush stuffed sit-on dogs by the Christmas tree.

Lori doing the baking and making fudge. Lori getting a doll that was as big as she was.

Gerry is Santa and is the best Santa we ever had. Gerry awake on Christmas morning wrapped in a blanket which he would sit in all day.

Shelly is getting little troll dolls and always has long hair.

Joey is getting some kind of keys. Joey are they for a car or a mini-bike? Joey hating that I am the one to take him to his hockey games.

Have a wonderful evening everyone.

http://circlingmyhead.blogspot.com/2008/12/wednesdays-women-no-11.html

*artwork D by Anita Philips

27 comments:

Ces Adorio said...

Ahhh! I love this. I love reading every word of a happy Christmas. Poor Mickey! Well, at least no one forgets her birthday. You , left in church. Imagine being brought home by a stranger, good thing it he/she was not Lester the Molester! Merry Christmas dearest Renee. The Three Amigos are having a tea party in the clouds today. P.S. I am sick but I need to kick this fever away because I have need to cook Christmas dinner tomorrow after I go grocery shopping today after I get home from work today.

Vicki Holdwick said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Renee.

May you find some relief from your bats and find some joy in this time with your loved ones.

xoxo

Anonymous said...

You have a wonderful Christmas Eve too! Best wishes to you and your family.

(That first photo is beautiful!)

secret agent woman said...

It's impossible on the holdidays not to remember the childhood celebrations. Lovely little snippets form your family.

Joey said...

Thanks Renee Great memories I love you your family and our family Take care and Merry Christmas

Joey

Annie said...

So glad you have such happy memories of Christmas, I don't have many as our Christmas' were full of stress and disappointment, but I am making happy memories for myself this year :-).
Love and hugs to you, dear Renee, have a wonderful Christmas Eve.
XOXO

Renee said...

Love you too Joey, and not only that, I am proud of the man you turned out to be.

You are an amazing guy.

Love Renee xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Oh, what beautiful memories. I love the story of you,Renee getting left at church. Hope you feel some relief from your stomach to enjoy a wonderful Christmas. The stuffing sounds wonderful. Blessings, Barb

taylor said...

I love getting snipits of the past from you! I cannot wait to see you tonight!

love always,
Taylor

angela recada said...

Beautiful. I love reading these, dearest Renee. I can only imagine how much they mean to your family. Each of these posts is like a little love letter to them.

The image of you being left behind at the church is priceless. So happy you made it home safely!

This is what I wish for you and Jacquie and the rest of your amazing family. Respite from the worries and the pain. The joy of being surrounded by family and friends. The warmth of their love and their hugs. Twinkling lights, happy sounds, delicious tastes, tantalizing aromas, and soft loving touches.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Love and hugs,
xoxoxo
Angela

Great-Granny Grandma said...

Love this post. I so enjoy reading about your wonderful family.

Wishing you all a beautiful Christmas, Renee. Hope there's some real mistletoe for Wahid to kiss you under, and that those obnoxious bats are quiet long enough for you to enjoy the holiday and your Christmas dinner.

Wishing you a New Year that is so much brighter and happier than this year has been.

Ces Adorio said...

Thank you! I met Taylor today!

Sarah Sullivan said...

Aww Sweetie..Merry Christmas Eve! I loved this...wonderful memories! Well except you getting left at church...yikes!
I am wishing for you a bat free Christmas my friend!! Wishing hard!!
Have a wonderful Christmas Renee..love you bunches..I will be thinking of you!
Love, Sarah

Gberger said...

Thank you for sharing these beutiful memories with us. I feel as if I got to be a little mouse under the tree, watching the joy and excitement of a HUGE family. What riches, to have so many loved and lovable ones all together in one place - after the stranger brought you home from church, of course! =) - that must have been an adventure. Gregg had something similar happen to him on a vacation (and they only had 4 kids to keep track of)!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Renee. Sending much love. OXOX

Elizabeth said...

I love this. And I used to faint at church, too. Thank you, Renee, for everything. Merry Christmas to you, dear friend.

ceecee said...

A very Merry Christmas to you, Renee!

Catherine xx

Deborah said...

This is wonderful. Oh, Renee, Hot Diggity Dog, It's a Wonderful Life. How can I have so much love for you...ah, it is because you are Love Defined. Merry Christmas, Renee. Please kiss Jacquie below her left eye, high upon the cheek bone, and have her kiss you back...and do not wipe off the moist imprint of the lips. All of my love to you and your Most Holy Family. Love, Deb

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Simply lovely, Renee...what treasured, and fun memories...May your day tomorrow be filled with many more...and much, much love!!! Janine XO

Sascalia said...

Merry Christmas Renee! x

Angie Muresan said...

Love this story Renee!!! It's so happy and bright, full of family love and cheer. But out of curiosity just how many kids were there that they forgot you at church and didn't know you were even missing? Hugs, kisses and lots of love!!!
xoxoxoxoxo,
Angie

Bogey said...

Renee, one day I hope to read of a similar rememberance of this years Christmas for you and yours and with an equal amount of love in your heart. I have been blessed by your strength in remembering not only your memories but all that is Holy during this very special time of year. Do enjoy it as best you can and remember what Tiny Tim said, "God Bless us....everyone".

Laura said...

I love the way your memories are fit together, one after the other like a jigsaw puzzle...every piece necessary for the for the full image to be revealed.

Happy Holidays Renee...may this be a year of renewed health for you,
Laura

Jackie said...

Stopping by to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. I have been thinking about you .
Big Hug,
Jackie

Anonymous said...

Oh bless you Renee, getting left behind at church on Christmas day. I bet you laugh about that one now.
Have a great Christmas my dearest Angel Renee!

Hugz!

Julie

Bella Sinclair said...

My dearest, do you know, as I'm reading this, a tear is pushing itself over the edge and down my cheek. All these memories, all these wonderful memories, come back in little snippets now. Reading your tiny flashbacks makes me smile. They were happier times, wonderful times. How I wish they were still with us.

I think of you and Jacquie and our dear friends Tessa and Allegra, and my heart is heavy. I think of Sheldon and Peter and how they should be sitting around the tree with us on Christmas morning. Maybe they will be. I will save an empty space next to me.

All I can do to stop the tears from flowing is to look at the little ones and feel their excitement and exuberance. To them, life is still full of wonderment, and I intend on making sure it stays that way for them for as long as I can.

You know I love you with all my heart. Ces and I pray for you and cry on each other's shoulders. Please let Jacquie know that I love her, too, and pray for her strength and recovery. Stay strong. It's another Christmas, and that is reason enough to be happy.

xoxoxoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Left at the Church???

I loved reading your Christmas memory~
It made me feel like I now know a tiny bit of each member of your family... : )

Merry Christmas my sweet dear Renee...
Much Love ~
Pattee

Bridgett said...

I'm new to your blog (I came via Claire)...but I already love your Christmas memories. Well, except the 'getting left a church by yourself' memory. That one isn't so good. :(

)O(
boo