The Journey Inward

My mom loved the holidays-any holiday! Christmas was her favorite. She had boxes and boxes of decorations, many of them handmade by her. They covered every surface in our home, hung in windows and were the cloths and mats on every table. But she was nearly as enthusiastic about Memorial Day and Valentine’s Day and the 4th of July, as well. She didn’t stop with the house, and usually had a sweater and some jewelry to adorn her own body. Every meal at the holidays was served on her China and we drink from Crystal stemware. These were all carefully hand washed and put back in the breakfront. The last tradition was dinner…start with a prayer at 6 on the dot and then onto the meat, starch and two vegetables.

My mother was a teacher and we were not wealthy, but these were as dependable as the calendar. When I bought my house and got married, I followed suit with decorations and “balanced” meals. Although we had received China and crystal as wedding gifts, I only used them two or three times in our 23 years of marriage. These days, with the kids grown and out of the house, I decorate minimally, but always with some of my mom’s handmade Christmas crafts. Dinner is much simpler and free form and at various times.

One tradition I’ve kept is the importance and love of family. My parents would wholeheartedly approve.