Monday, December 13, 2010

My Christmas Treasure

I wanted to show something,

something that I treasure dearly.

My Grammy died when I was 10 years old. Christmas was her favorite holiday and I can still see her home decked out in all its glory. She loved to put out all her Christmas trinkets and treasures and each ornament and Santa had it's own special place. I truly believe that she is the reason that mom and I love this time of year so much!

After she had passed my Papa continued to decorate the house placing all her ornaments and Santas in the exact same place.

After my Papa passed away I took only some of the Christmas things. They were things that I thought of when I thought of Christmas with them. I have the stocking that my Grammy made for myself and the one that my Papa so graciously made for my hubby. I have a candle snuffer that I remember being displayed on her coffee table and then I have this...

.


As a child I remember how much I loved seeing this beautiful lighthouse during Christmas. It would sit on their beautiful marble-topped side table, in front of the window and shine it's beacon, welcoming all who entered their home. I do not know where they got it from or even if it was a gift, but I do know that when I look into it's light I am taken back to a time when life was simple and carefree. A time that I treasure near and dear to my heart. It is funny because when I put the lighthouse out and turn it on, I can "feel" those feelings I had and "see" Christmas again through the eyes I looked out of when I was a child and "smell" the scents that
wrapped themselves around me.

Does that seem weird?

It is funny how things that are so treasured by us tend to do that.



I am linking up to my friend Tracy's Treasured Christmas Linky Party over at her blog, Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures.

Won't you come join in!?

34 comments:

Drawn to The Sea said...

Whenever I visit, I find myself thinking that those closest to you are so grateful for everything that makes you you.

Sweet day to you & yours.
Julia~

Drawn to The Sea said...

(They must be!)

The Single Nester said...

Not weird at all. I feel the same way about certain things. The memories come flooding back. That is such a sweet piece to have. I love all things lighthousey!

Erin said...

Terrific and certain things do the same to me. Love that lighthouse:)

Val said...

I love your spirit. My dad passed when I was 25 and my most treasured item EVER is the snowflake ornament the funeral home gave me in his honor. Every time I look at it on my tree...my heart, gets filled with love and emotion. It's the little things, isn't it? Have a great day!!!

Low Tide High Style said...

I feel the same way about treasured family mementos! What a wonderful keepsake from your grandparents, and I love that it brings back such fond memories for you! I think it's such a gift that your grandmother passed on her love of Christmas to both you and your mother, and I'm sure she's thrilled that you love her little lighthouse so much!

Kat :)

P.S. I loved all of your beautiful holiday touches in your previous post!

Anonymous said...

Smell is the strongest sense and is known to evoke memories good and bad.

Your trinkets are wonderful and I am glad you have something to treasure always.

Blessing to you and your family.

Melissa

Amy Kinser said...

I love this treasure! So glad you shared the story behind it. I so loved my grandparents and love the treasures I have of theirs.

Have a good day.

Fishtail Cottage said...

no, not wierd at all...i love it that you have such fantastic memories even though you were so young! Christmas sure brings out the sentimental side in all of us. I'll bet she is so glad you have those to enjoy..
~tracie

Hearts Turned said...

Such a lovely lighthouse and such sweet memories...not weird at all. I'm surrounded by things like that all the time--I know exactly how you feel....a wonderful thing!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Julie

Jenni said...

The lighthouse is so sweet! And I know just what you mean about special keepsakes "taking you back in time" like that! :)

I hope you have a beautiful day!

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

Precious! Looove the lighthouse!!

Beach House Living said...

Not odd at all. It's so nice that you have it.

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Not weird at all. Sentimental items are truly the best. I saw your comment over at Kerrie's and hopped over.

René said...

I love that you shared this Michelle. I think we all have a special trinket from Christmas that can spark an emotion like you described. Very sweet.

-Rene

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Such a nice post Michelle! It's such a pretty lighthouse and I love how it's form your grandma, it's so special!
I just taught art to the first graders and I brought in a bunch of differen't "things" for the kids to smell to see what it would evoke in them. It's my favorite project to do with them :)
Enjoy your week friend
XO

Libbie said...

Hey there... I like the new header too! I totally know what you mean about going back to childhood! A few treasures make me feel that way too..& don't they just make us smile! What a treasure you have there! Just think...now you are creating those memories for your own family! Thanks for sharing Michelle!

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

I loved going back in time with you and almost seeing your grandparents house in my mind. Thanks for linking up. I love the story and the lighthouse.

Vanessa said...

I love this time of year for all of the memories and reflecting that is conjured up! It is so obvious how much you value history and heritage and that you appreciate the influences in your life so much. I know you are as much of a blessing to your family as they are to you! :-)
Vanessa

Brenda Pruitt said...

They say that our sensory abilities bring on memories the strongest. So sight would definitely evoke them. I'm so glad you have these memories!
Brenda

Simone @ Doberman's by the Sea said...

thanks for sharing your treasures. Christmas memories are the best!

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

I love that this lighthouse gives you such wonderful memories. I don't think it's weird at all that it comes back to you. Such a sweet little lighthouse too :)

Anonymous said...

I love keepsakes that bring back to good memories! I think that's what Christmas is about! Your lighthouse is a treasure!

Have a great night! xx

Robin Johnson said...

Michelle I so very much enjoyed this post. It's amazing how the most simple things can transport us to someplace we remember. I'm so glad you have this small piece of your memories to hold in your hand and cherish.

Deborah said...

What precious memories Michelle...how beautiful that you have those treasures that bring you back to such dear moments with your grandparents.
I love that lighthouse but even more I love that it brings such joy and warmth to your heart...
Love you sweetie!

Deborah xoxo

Cat said...

What a touching post...so sweet of you to share your treasured memories :) Merry Christmas to you! Best, Cat

Holly Lefevre said...

I have goosebumps! I feel exactly the same way. We have an old snowman with a light for a nose...legend has it is blinks...I have never seen it, but it was at my grandparents house.

Cathy M~(checkitoff) said...

so very sweet (and not weird at all). i love this post! hugs, cathy

Marie said...

Hi Michelle - That is not weird at all, in fact I experience the same things like you when I look at something that reminds me of the past.

Wishing you a happy Christmas my friend!
-marie

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

Not weird at all ni find it amazing too how we can incorporate all of our senses into a memory. Glad you got to keep the little lighthouse.

Unknown said...

So touching, Michelle! I remember all of our Christmas decor so fondly, it was magical to me! XX!

Kindra-At Home With K said...

What wonderful Christmas treasures that you have to remind you of your family and memories! I have several things like that that don't neccasarily go with my decor but I still have out to remind me of where I came from. :)

Finding Home said...

Michelle,

What a great memory. My Grandfather passed when I was 14. He and I were extremely close. At the time, they had already simplified and moved to Florida. After his passing, my grandmother moved back up here and was with us till 2004. When I hear you talk about where things were, the smells and the memories of your Grandparents house, it brings me back. My sister and I could tell you every detail of every nook and cranny, the smells, the feels, the sights, of the house they lived in when we were young. Something about Grandparents is very magical. Thanks for sharing your treasure. Take care, Laura

Anonymous said...

What a sweet Christmas lighthouse, Michelle! You're so lucky to have something from you Grandma that brings back so many wonderful memories with her.
Happy Holidays!
xoxo,
Jo :)

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