Many of us have a Christmas story to tell. This is mine.
I decorated this Christmas tree in 2012. Michael had died earlier that year. After 8 years of living in Henderson, Nevada, our house was already sold and I was busily packing to move back to Aspen. The reality was if I ever was to have a tree again, it was now. As I remember, my Energy said, “No.” My Mind insisted, “Do it.”
I love everything about this Season. Being married to a Jewish guy meant we robustly celebrated all his holidays as well as mine. My girls are the better for it. To say I always over-decorated is not an understatement. So I decided, if this was a GO, I would GO all out.
My neighbors, Ray and Dom, were good guys, happily lending their brains or brawn to our every need. I asked them to help me choose an artificial eight feet tall Christmas tree. We visited Big Box stores and found the perfect one which they hauled home, unboxed and put together. They also carried down boxes of decorations from my attic storage area. Yeah, they weren’t feeling the love by then!
Within a week even Martha Stewart would have been impressed by my decor, especially the tree. Every ornament/bauble carried a memory and I relived each one as I hung it. After four months of profound sadness and anxiety about the future, this tree represented my Life’s Joys. There was nothing sad about it.
I shared that beautiful Christmas tree with anyone I could drag off the street, entertain or ply with food and drink. Every night I ate dinner on a table next to it. It remained up until the end of January when I packed up the decorations. The guys dismantled the tree, moving it to their home.
Now, five years later, my holidays are totally different. Not worse. Not better. Just different. Every year I leave Snow Country and return to spend the holiday seasons here in the Las Vegas area where we once lived. I spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with my Bishop family. Surrounded by friends and family, what could be better?
At this time of year, especially, the weight of those less fortunate/alone/sick/family separations weighs a little heavier on me. I assuage the guilt of my good fortune, if that’s the correct term, by remembering there are always Pay It Forward opportunities in Thought, Word and Deed to do. Kindness comes in all forms.
Last week an elderly woman (probably my age) was struggling to maneuver her walker through Von’s electric door. The door kept trying to close. To my dismay, other shoppers just walked in through the adjacent door. The woman was frightened and embarrassed. Feeling disgusted but determined, I held that pesky door open while maneuvering the woman/walker through it. I left her at the banana bin after countless thank you’s. Sometimes Kindness takes less than 5 minutes. The End of my Story.
This week the beloved Ina Garten, known to many as the Barefoot Contessa, and her husband, Jeffrey, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. She has been posting photos of their life together on Instagram every day. I pulled out her first cookbook, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, published in 1999 and decided to bake her Maple-Oatmeal Scones in their honor. I taste-tested them at breakfast with my friends. Why did I wait 20 years to bake these little darlings. They were delicious. Here’s the Link.
SENDING LOVE, HUGS AND HAPPY THOUGHTS to YOU ALL, Mary
I learn something new about you from every post. I admire your joie de vivre and fortitude! And I want those scones for breakfast!! Merry Christmas, Mary! xoxo
My life is so enriched by sharing holidays and MOVIES with you—-no one is as insane to see everything before the awards happen as us…lol….grateful for you AND also great restaurant suggestions in our backyard!
Mary, what strength it took to put up that tree in 2012.
You are an inspiration. Meanwhile, are you time tripping in your blog? When was the lunch where you didn’t bond with the fish head.
Hugs, miss you.
Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy holiday and new year filled with love and adventure! xo
Mary, I hope your mail can find you, wherever you land. I admire your sense of adventure…and wish you a wonderful Christmas, with your family, and with your friends. Did some of those ornaments include little tiny knitted stockings from Helen Shelly? I still have mine. Blessings, dear friend, Nancy
The holiday season looks so festive in Vegas. Thanks for all the great stories, inspiration and love that you share Mary! And your thoughtful kindnesses as well. Merry Christmas Mary!
Always fun to read your blogs Mary. Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year. Amy
Happiest of holidays to you and yours, Mary. After reading your sweet holiday story, I vow that my first new year resolution will be to bake those scones!
Cheers! Rita
You are a wonder!! Love all your adventures!
Mary! I always love reading your blog, but this one is very special to me. This time of year my thoughts so often wander back to our time in Aspen! Oh how Ed and I loved it! Snow covered views from every window in our home on McClain Flats. Walks through downtown Aspen to see the shop windows. The sleds being pulled by horses or reindeer, lamas dressed up in bells and bows, as the snow gently fell. Parties and events every night! and best of all decorating the house for Christmas in time for our annual back to back Christmas Parties! Best of all the 10 foot Christmas tree that I lovingly decorated while Heather and Ed sat and watched. It is almost 5 years since Ed passed away. Unlike you, I just couldn’t bring myself to decorate or put up a tree until this year! I guess that this year I am finally ready to celebrate, not only the holiday season, but a new life with a new Love. Nothing will ever be the same as those very special Aspen years, but this new life is wonderful in it’s own way. I hope we get to meet again . Until then, I am wishing you a wonderful holiday season in your winter home! Fondly Holli
Always a joy to follow your adventures, near and far. Thinking of you, especially at the holidays. Not going back to Aspen this month. Instead, we will be enjoying a cactus Christmas in Arizona. So happy that you are in my ife. Look forward to 2019 and our summer hiking. Here’s to a happy and healthy New Year.
Merry, merry Mary!!!! Great blog as always.
Mary, as usual, a wonderful post. I must admit that those polar bears are my favorites. They really made me smile.
I hope you are enjoying your holidays, and your time in Nevada. And a big thanks about those scones!! They look delicious. I’ll have to try them.
Hugs!!