The gift of Christmas treasures and traditions

When we were growing up, we had a Great-Aunt Kay whom we used to visit regularly. She was our mother’s aunt and helped to raise her when her mother died of cancer.  

Our Aunt Kay was very special to us. Many times we would make the drive to the eastside to visit with her and have lunch or dinner. It taught us patience, how to sit still and listen, and visit (which is a skill that needed to be developed). As a result, we got to hear great stories.

Aunt Kay was from a large family that migrated from Ireland. She would share stories about holidays where everyone cooked all day and sipped whiskey. She would laugh hard when she shared the stories of things that went wrong, and many did. We wondered how they ever got to enjoy a finished meal. Looking back on it, it was terrific.  

Our tree is made up of many ornaments, new and old, glass and plastic, from both sides of the family. It is filled with handmade Christmas presents from school and memories from past generations.  

A Christmas tree comes with wonderful Christmas memories. It is a collection of sentiments from many different family members.

Family members that come with great stories. Stories of crazy snow storms that hit the night before everyone was to arrive home for Christmas. Stories of parties that required particular dress codes back in the day. Memories of loved ones who are no longer with us but who continue to be top of mind at this time of year.

Christmas is a time of traditions and treasures. Traditions remind us of special times with every ornament hung on the tree. Treasures are the people we continue to gather with and those we remember fondly.  

A Christmas tree is a gift from the past because it allows us to walk down memory lane.

It is difficult to take the time to look at every ornament and remember where it came from and what was going on when it was presented or purchased. Take the time to remember the gift of Christmas past. Each ornament comes with a story from someone who loves you.

Colleen Harding

President of The Cleveland School of Etiquette and Corporate Protocol.   I am a member St Raphael Women's Guild, Friends of the Westside Catholic Center and The Avon Oaks Women's Golf Association.

I live in Bay Village with my husband and 3 children.   

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Volume 15, Issue 22, Posted 9:44 AM, 12.19.2023