Every year, without fail, and generally more than once, this time of year rings my heart. Without fail. I felt like I was getting off easy this year. I haven't shed a tear. But tonight I cried enough for all of December and into the new year.
One of my great pleasures in the evening is listening to music on YouTube. I've got some favorites and I listen to those and other times I just follow an idea. Tonight was the latter. I found Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas" and kept on with Bing Crosby. This led me to the original trailer for "Bells of St. Mary's" -- one of my all time favorites -- and then to "Going My Way." I pushed the video for "Toora Loora Loora," the Irish lullabye and before I knew tears were streaming down my face. I was in our living room in Hartford watching "Going My Way" with my parents on the old black and white console tv. My father was in his blue recliner and my mother on the couch, with the brown cover. It's at least 45 years since we all watched this together and my father has been gone almost thirty years, but I could see it clearly and missed those winter nights so much.
I know I am so blessed to have had parents for whom the idea of a great evening was all of us together watching a movie. And that is why I miss them so much, especially at this season. Penniwig asked this morning what are our favorite things and the first on my list was family and friends. It was an easy answer and so true, and so painful when they are no longer with us.
So bless you and keep you, my friends. Here's wishing you nights of quiet happiness with those you love best, now and all through the year.
May our God of all comfort be especially close and near you at this time of the year. Sounds like your parents were wonderful folks.
ReplyDeleteI think most of us do cry at some point during this time of the year. I know I have.
Blessings friend.
What a lovely memory. I too can remember those days with family and the TV and probably a bowl of popcorn too! They were great times and are to be treasured. We cry when we are sad and when we are happy. That kind of memory brings a mixture for sure.
ReplyDeleteYes, despite my wretched childhood I do miss much of what is gone. Life is a series of losses, in one way...of people, abilities, things, times...but at least there are memories...
ReplyDeleteI have fond memories also.....Dad always played Bing Crosby's White Christmas on a record player..he had a set of 45s all Christmas carols and tunes....did you know he was the Crosby's paperboy? true story
ReplyDeleteWell, to join in I have memories too - so that reminds me to be making and leaving some good memories for my family left here too.
ReplyDeleteHI!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhile my 2nd daughter was here for 8 days we talked alot about memories and childhood, she mentioned that she thought I made them clean up to much, that now as a MIMI I let alot of trivial messy things slide!!! Why can't we be born old and wise??? And let trivial things remain trivial??? I am sitting here at 2 a.m, needing to got to bed, with all the toys still scattered everywhere from my watching the baby today and you know what, I don't care!!! I will go to bed with a mess!!!! I have changed so much in the last 2 years!!!! Before this baby came into our lives, I thought everything had a place and had to be put away before bed, not anymore!!!! I still LOVE a clean tidy organized house but not more then our little Princess!!!! Why didn't I do this when mine were little????
hugs,
jamie