I remember…
Christmases of very long ago, when my parents were just barely out of childhood themselves and we went to my Sicilian grandparents’ house in Larchmont. And there was good cheer, Grandma shouting, “Whoopee, Whoopee!” after a few sips of wine before she disappeared into the kitchen to bring out a sumptuous, Italian meal with foods I no longer eat– bracciole and the ever familiar spaghetti with meatballs. My Grandmother’s meatballs tasted like no others and as many times as my mother asked for the recipe, each time the recipe changed. We children had teeny glasses of wine mixed with water. And after the meal, while the womenfolk were cleaning up in the kitchen, the men sat in the living room on the sofa, hands folded over their stomachs, dozing. Then out came the mandolin when Grandpa woke up and there were festive Italian songs to dance to.
Now Christmases are very quiet. My life with my husband is very contemplative. No more hoopla. No more meatballs or bracciole. No more wine. No more visting with the few relatives still with us. Old friends are mostly gone. A very few of the most precious ones are left, one or two new friends and a couple of lovely neighbors are in our hearts. But I am deeply grateful for the best friend of my life, my husband. Retirement has knit us closer than ever. We do not want hoopla and festivities. Just some music, our little, trusty tree and heart ornaments I bought with my school bestie (long gone) over 50 years ago. Now my husband is the light of my life. He brings the spirit of Christmas to my heart every day. We are grateful to wake up to each other every morning and pain over the thought of the inevitable loss of the other. Life is poignant, precious. Christmas always brought tears. Fears. Underneath all the celebration, even as a child I always felt the vibration of life… and the mystery and nearness of death. Now only more so. Hoopla only goes so far. SPIRIT is underneath all.
A happy Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Diwali to you all and to all a good life!
MOONSIDE 
Remembering the good moments of the past is good, but cherishing and valuing the preciousness of the present, including the ones who are by our side, is so much better. It seems you are doing it just so well, Ellen! I was touched by your writing, my friend! There’s a sweet delicacy in between your words, a soft acceptance that pours from your soul. In the end, you highlighted something precious: “SPIRIT is underneath all.” This is a great realization. Hold it dear in your heart! Happy Holidays to you and your husband. May a rain of blessings, love, and light be over you in this season and always!
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December 19, 2024 at 3:20 AM
Susana, thank you so much for your beautiful comment. When I wrote this I felt everything I said. Now when faced with various fearful things my faith falters. Thank you for seeing the good in what I wrote. I will take your advice to heart. And all the very best blessings to you this holiday season. Blessings upon blessings! Always!❤️🙏🏽
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December 19, 2024 at 9:41 AM
Memories are a huge part of Christmas spirit. Everything is changing in time, but whatever happened in our life staying with us forever.
Helen your post is full of Love.
You have the best Christmas gift ever – your Husband.
Long Life for you both.
All the best.
Merry Christmas!!! 🙂
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December 19, 2024 at 11:09 AM
Hi Alexander!! What a lovely message!! Thank you! I am blessed. I hope you are, too. May I wish you love and joy and long life, too❣️
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December 19, 2024 at 2:31 PM
Oh the memories of Christmas past. Our departed loved ones are brought to life once more when we relive the beautiful moments spent together. How wonderfully you describe those Christmas memories of your grandparents and parents! Now with Christmas present, your husband brings the spirit of Christmas every day. You are both so blessed to have each other. I love your contemplative words: “even as a child I always felt the vibration of life .. and the mystery and nearness of death“. How true that “SPIRIT is underneath it all”. Blessings overflowing to you and your husband this Christmas season!
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December 19, 2024 at 1:40 PM
The very same to you, D.G., and to your children, too. ❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️
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December 19, 2024 at 2:22 PM
I’m so glad that you shared your childhood memories of Christmas at your grandparents place. You really do paint a nostalgic picture for me with your words, very relatable to my visits with my grandparents at that age. It’s true that the holidays can become more quiet as the years go by but you remind us that there is beauty in the peace and contemplation. I hope that you and your husband have a lovely Christmas together. I imagine it will be quite a cozy one, with two loving spirits together, celebrating the essence of what really matters in this life. 💑🙏
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December 19, 2024 at 1:50 PM
Oh, you have such a beautiful way if putting things!! May you be filled with the joy of what really matters also. And all best wishes for the New Year!
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December 19, 2024 at 2:19 PM
Thank you so much Ellen. You too! 🤍
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December 20, 2024 at 10:29 AM
❤️
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December 20, 2024 at 11:48 AM
Memories of the beautiful family times and the savoring of your current family time all bring a sense of warmth and gratitude for what you had and what you have. Life is short–enjoying every day is the gift you give yourself. Merry Christmas, El. May you and Thomas enjoy every moment.
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December 19, 2024 at 3:01 PM
Thank you, Dayle, all the very best to you and your big family!
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December 19, 2024 at 3:05 PM
Thank you for sharing the ethnic Christmas experience of your younger days. Your husband sounds like a gem who is forever meant to be your beloved soulmate. Merry Christmas to you both. Great pic, by the way. 🙂
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December 19, 2024 at 6:14 PM
Dear Nancy, Thank you so much!!! Glad you liked the ethnic cast and the photo. A very Merry Christmas to you and your family. Yes, I hope my husband is my soulmate forever! Happy holidays to you!! I bet you have some ethnic stories to tell. Well I have read some of your very good ones.
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December 19, 2024 at 8:13 PM
Thank you, Ellen! 🙂
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December 20, 2024 at 4:28 AM
You are most welcome, Nancy!!🥰
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December 20, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Living life your own way is the only way to live. It sounds as if you have Christmas set up perfectly, your memories safe and vibrant, ready to enjoy each other’s company. Merry Christmas, Happy Yule and best wishes for a wonderful new year.
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December 19, 2024 at 8:10 PM
Thank you, Gigi! It will be quiet except for music and phone calls and simple and lasagna, meatless lasagna… the only kind I make anymore. I am sure your place will be full of people and animals and hoopla and that’s great!! Merry Christmas to you and wonderful wishes of health and happiness of everyone dear to you, men and beasts, for the new year!!
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December 19, 2024 at 8:19 PM
Thank you. We are a small family. So only 6 at my house on Christmas Eve, since one will be missing going down to visit her family and my other grandson is married and will be with his wife’s parents, although we will see him later. But we will be loud (as Italian can be…LOL) and presents will be opened and food eaten and everyone will have fun. Looking forward to it. Thank you again and enjoy your time together in a lovely quiet way.
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December 19, 2024 at 8:58 PM
Thank you again. You all, too!! ❤️
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December 19, 2024 at 9:06 PM
Take care of yourself. Thinking of you both at these holidays. Love, Lana
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December 19, 2024 at 10:06 PM
Thank you, Lana!! Hope you’re okay. Have a great holiday whatever you do. Love, Ellen
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December 19, 2024 at 10:14 PM
A quietly sweet Merry Christmas to you, dear Ellen.
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December 19, 2024 at 11:13 PM
Thank you very much, Cheyenne!! And the very best wishes for however you celebrate to you!!
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December 20, 2024 at 8:21 AM
What a symbolic photo, Ellen!
I hope that Christmas was exactly that island of calm and harmony, like this little green tree in the photo, surrounded by the red raging fire of the trees and the blue inviting surface of the water, where numerous mermaids can pull you.
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January 8, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Thank you for cheery and imaginative comment!
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January 8, 2025 at 2:59 PM
🌞🌞🌞
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January 8, 2025 at 4:26 PM
😊
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January 8, 2025 at 4:29 PM