Christmas Memories – Spiel the Beans Linkup
Has everyone settled into the holiday season? Some days are filled with twinkly lights and joy and others I find it hard to catch my breath as the to do list pile up a bit. Today Katy & I are asking you to take a quick time out from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season to relive a special Christmas memory with the Spiel the Beans Linkup!
Christmas was always a happy memory for me growing up. Both sides of our family would always gather at our house and there would be shrimp dip and tamales and lots of Christmas cheer. Oddly enough, Santa always delivered our gifts on Christmas eve instead of Christmas morning. I can remember standing in the front yard with my Papaw convinced I could hear the bells on Santa’s sleigh. Such sweet memories of a time when our family was all one.
As I was thinking about the memory I wanted to share today I came across this picture from the Christmas of 1999. It’s hard to tell from this picture but this was one of those years when our Christmas was just a bit broken and I knew it was the one I wanted to share.
This was our first real Christmas as a family of three. It would be the first year we had to decide to split time between me and their dad. I remember how scared I was to let them go without me. Not because I was worried about their wellbeing, they have an amazing dad, but I was so scared of spending the day without then. Alone with my thoughts; worrying they were having more fun with him or maybe they would love his gifts more.
To top it off my sweet Meme had unexpectedly passed away in October which left a definite hole in our Christmas joy. My brother was also single at the time so it was literally my mom, my brother and the three grandkids. We chose to celebrate Christmas Eve at my brother’s little country house because we couldn’t even bare to celebrate at my mom’s house without Meme. Of course there was some food and fellowship and fun but there were also lots of tears; hence the tissue in my hand. These two, I’m positive, felt the loneliness that was in my heart and they were especially loving to me all night. I look at this picture and see their love for me and just wonder how I could have ever been worried at all.
Christmas Day I was needing something to remind me life goes on and joy can be found no matter what. I searched through my Meme’s recipe box and found her chocolate cookie recipe. Without a second thought I started baking. I cried and I baked and I felt so close to her and I knew her spirit was near me. That afternoon alone was definitely what I needed to find my Christmas joy.
From that Christmas forward, making my Meme’s cookies became one of my very favorite traditions. She had the biggest heart and was truly selfless and when I share her cookies I feel like a little piece of her is still with me.
Oh? You want the recipe for these amazing cookies? Well here you go friends, bake yourself up some Christmas joy.
Now it’s your turn to share a special Christmas memory! Be sure to mark your calendar for December 27th and come back for a new spin on New Years resolutions where we will be sharing something we will resolve NOT to do in 2017!
Please place a link back to this link-up in either your post or on your party page so that others can link up too. It’s a party, try to visit at least 2 other posts and show them some love! This is the fun part! Be inspired, inspire someone else – don’t just link and run!
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Such a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing this memory with us. I passed it on to a dear friend who may find solace in your experience! Happy holidays!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
This post was so real and so beautiful! I remember the first Christmas after my parents' divorce…it was hard on all of us, but I imagine it was really hard on my mom when we had to leave her. I love that you have a recipe to keep your Meme's memory alive!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Oh what a poignant post!! Christmas is especially tough when dealing with loss. I love that you found joy in what you could though
Thankfully I realized at some point that being alone wasn't the worst thing in the world Sarah! I definitely didn't like sharing though. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing Shelbee….I definitely hope it provides some peace.
What a heartfelt post. I lost my grandma last year right before the holidays and I feel like there was a giant hole that is still not filled in. This post was what I needed to read. Thank you for hosting the link up and have a wonderful day!
Oh, this made me cry, Shelly! Time to go redo the mascara before work! God has blessed you in many ways since that Christmas in 1999!
I can't imagine doing Christmas without my kids and I loved reading your experience of this…very well written, I felt it all for you while reading it.
What a bittersweet memory – thanks for sharing. I love that you started a new tradition that Christmas – the cookies sound wonderful and so very, very special.
Andrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
I can't even imagine how hard that must be. I'm glad that you can get some comfort and have some fond memories when you make those cookies.
Such a hard but sweet memory to have. God has been so good to you friend. Thanks for sharing today.
Oh Shelly, this made me tear up. I can't imagine having Christmas without my kids… I don't even know what I would do. And thank you for the recipe! These sound wonderful.
That cookie recipe sounds amazing! Such a sweet memory (though I am sure it was tough at the time). I love how you found a way to keep your grandmother's spirit with you.
oh my goodness, just got teary eyed…no I'm not crying at work darn it. Such a sweet memory.
Oh what a sweet post. Sometimes hard times provide us with the chance for growth and I think the Christmas you've shared here did just that.
I love that you found a beautiful memory in even a hard time! Thanks for sharing your meme's recipe!
Brooke
Pumps and Push-Ups
So glad you found joy in baking her cookies! And how awesome that you still keep that tradition alive!
Sometimes the comfort we need finds us. I love the story behind these cookies and they sound delicious!
I just love your insightful posts, Shelly!! Believe it or not, 1999 was my "most life changing" Christmas, too. Another reason you and I are soul sisters. I was 20 and pregnant! Like you said, I look back now and wonder why in the world I was ever worried. It's all in His plan, we just have to trust.
My blogging has been so sporadic lately, but I may see if I can whip up a post to link up with this. Thanks for sharing your heart!
We are definitely soul sisters Emily. I feel like just about every month we find out yet another thing we have to connect us!!
Isn't it great how God puts something in our path that is so tangible, like a cookie recipe, to help heal us? So incredible! And look at those sweet kids!
It is so amazing Kellyann. So many times I just need to open my eyes (and heart) and he is right there waiting to heal me.
The holidays are so hard when you are missing a loved one. I hope your family finds comfort in your memories this season.
Thankfully, Laura, I've been blessed enough to actually open my eyes and see God's hand in so many things in my life. Back then I was sure I was alone but now I can clearly see I wasn't. Hope you have a super weekend!
Thankfully, Deena, my ex and I have always found a way to work it all out without "court ordered" days and 1999 was the only year they were not at my house on Christmas morning.
These cookies are incredibly easy to make and definitely delicious Andrea! I will be baking all day today and I love it. Merry Christmas!
Looking back I can always see the peace God offered me in so many situations. If only at the time I had realized how present he was. Hope you have a super weekend!
Thanks Lindsay! Thankfully my ex and I have a super relationship and 1999 was the only Christmas I did not have my babies in my house on Christmas morning. It is still my favorite to have them all stay the night on Christmas Eve.
The cookies are so easy and so delicious! Happy Saturday!
Haha….sorry for the tears Sarah! 🙂 Hope you have a super weekend!
Thankfully I always except a good challenge and have been able to grow threw these experiences Stephanie!
Today is baking day! I can hardly wait to sample her cookies. 🙂