I remember carefully hanging them on the Christmas trees of my childhood, admiring their sparkle and the bright happy colours. When I grew up and left my parents' house, I harboured secret hopes that one day they might be mine. Though tarnished and scratched from years of use, they were always beautiful in my eyes.
When my sister and I were in California earlier this month, packing up my dad's things, we each chose a few keepsakes from among the possessions he no longer wanted - and the little box of glass ornaments fell to my share.
I carried them home from California in my backpack, tenderly tucked between skeins of yarn for protection from travelling bumps. When I got back to Wisconsin, I pulled them out to show Mr. M. We exclaimed at the price ($1.89!), and wondered how old they might be. Then I turned the box over, and saw that my dad had written something on one end - something I'd never noticed before now:
Is it silly that I cried when I saw this? Perhaps. But now these little glass ornaments are more precious to me than ever. I will hang them on my own tree this coming December, and think of my parents celebrating their first joyful Christmas, just days before the birth of my oldest brother.
Thanks, Dad.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Those are beautiful ornaments! And what memories! I love that date on the bottom. <3
ReplyDeleteSo sweet. Those vintage ornaments are classic!!!
ReplyDeleteI have some reproduction ornaments that I like to pretend came from my Grandma's tree. They certainly look like they could have. Unfortunately, my family were not "keepers" and things like that weren't kept. :-(
I'm so glad you have the lovely ornaments and that you noticed what your dad had written, Sue! It is wonderful that discovery prompted good memories worth happy tears. xx
ReplyDeleteOh.. I'm so glad you have those ornaments and what a neat story! When I saw the title I was worried that when you turned the box over they all fell out and broke! Glad I was wrong! We found a box similar it my husband's parents garage when we were clearing it out. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteOh I was worried thattheybroke too. I am so glad that the ornaments came home with you. Finding that they were from your parent's first Christmas makes them all the more special. Enjoy them this year and every Christmas to come.
ReplyDeleteI, too, thought that you had an accident with the beautiful ornaments. Glad that did not happen and even happier that your dad dated the box. How often we save things and never let anyone know why it is so special. Hugs for your dad. Hope he is doing well and makes the move to your neck of the words soon. Linda
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they made it home safely and that you get to enjoy them in your home now. They are very special and I know you will give them a loving home.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story. You will use those little ornaments with a special thought for your parents each year and imagine them dressing their own first tree all those years ago!
ReplyDeleteVery touching. I had favourite Christmas ornaments when I was a child and would love to own them one day.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to find that note. And how lovely that they wrote it on the box all of those years ago.
ReplyDeleteSweet! What a blessing!
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness, I also love this and I love that you shared it with us!
ReplyDeleteSay hello to your Dad from your blogging buddies! (This one is surrounded by snow at the moment, but I am still going to work today!) :-)
Teary over here, too.
ReplyDeleteOh how wonderful to have such a treasure. They are lovely to look at, but as you said, it goes deeper than that now...all the way to the heart.
ReplyDeleteDon't think for a moment I missed the part about the "yarn protecting" them in your bag! Did you buy new yarn out in SoCal? Or is this yarn that took the journey with you?
Blessings always
It's not silly at all. It's the little things like this that take me by surprise that make me cry as well. The ornaments are beautiful. I'm so glad you had all that yarn to keep them safe on their journey back to your home.
ReplyDeleteI had tears come to my eyes as I read your post, how lucky you are to have this treasure.
ReplyDeleteI have a lump in my throat too as I read your post. I am sitting at home reading blogs after a day finalising my father's house for sale and handing it over the the estate agent. My father died two months ago, my brother and I have found many treasures (and wondered where others have gone!) but nothing quite as poignant as these Christmas decorations
ReplyDeleteaww I think it is sweet that you are sentimental about such an exciting time for your parents. Those ornaments rarely make it through so many years..they are so fragile> Im glad yours made it
ReplyDeleteHow very special. I cried too!
ReplyDeleteIt is not silly at all, it is beautiful. Hugs,
ReplyDeleteMeredith
This is a nice story worth a whole lot of tears.
ReplyDeleteMany happy tears - how special your ornaments are!
ReplyDeleteWow! I got teary reading this!!! I think the box is as much a treasure as the ornaments!!! So glad you got this Christmas wish! And that you had yarn to protect it on its way to its new home!
ReplyDeleteGoats can cry too. Maybe the Goatmother will leave me that Peanut one she has. :) Glad you came to have such a treasure.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post! No, you are not silly!!!!! I have some very precious ornaments from my parents too! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteHeartbreaking, I cried when I read this post. I have two tiny pictures of me with my parents and they have my Mother's handwriting on the back of them, such precious things they are, to me. Sending hugs m'dear.
ReplyDeleteI was in tears when I read your post today-- what a treasued and beautiful gift.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. This post made me cry. So sweet.
ReplyDeleteNot silly to cry at all. A beautiful memory and a wonderful keepsake. How precious to have something from their first Christmas together.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sharon