Holidays

My Only Valentine

Jeanna G2 Comments

As much as I imagine that there must have been more, I can only think of one Valentine’s Day.

I remember walking down the busy hallway to my locker, excitement brimming, love clouding our minds. I arrived at my locker and was overwhelmed by the scent of roses. I craned my neck to see who had received them, and reached no conclusions. I resumed spinning the dial on my combination lock. When I opened the door, the loveliness of a dozen red roses saturated my unsuspecting heart. My high school sweetheart had memorized my combination from all the times he stood by my side, and then snuck in early that morning to deliver my gift.

The attention. The forethought. The simplicity. The grandeur. Love can be so complex and so simple all at the same time. But most of all, his was sweet. So, so sweet.

“Love sought is good, but given unsought is better.” ~Shakespeare (Who else?!)

Christmas Joy

Jeanna GLeave a comment

What better time to rediscover childhood than at Christmas?! For some of you, like myself, this may be why you love the holiday, and for others, it may be why you take sides with the Grinch every December.

Christmas was always a big deal in my home. I am part of a large family; I grew up in the same house as my parents, two brothers, and two of my sisters. Although I grew up mostly wearing hand-me-downs, I was never really in want of anything. My mom and dad both had full-time jobs, and my mom often picked up part-time jobs to fill the gaps. I think she did this to make sure our Christmas mornings were bountiful, and I follow suit for my daughter. Our stockings would be stuffed to the gills, and the area around the tree would look like Santa gave up and, instead of placing one gift at a time, decided to turn his sack upside down and dump out everything that was inside. Clothes, jewelry and accessories, sweets, toiletries, books, and toys!

There would always be a board game for the family to play together. Santa continues that tradition in my home. This year he brought Mouse Trap. I loved this game as a child, and I’m thrilled it still exists so that my daughter and I can play together.

Steal the cheese without getting trapped!

I can understand that Christmas may bring back not so great memories if it was always a lackluster holiday in your home, but you have a chance at redemption, a do-over. As with Mouse Trap, you can still enjoy the toys and games you wish you had received as a child. Having children is a great cover for getting the toys that are actually on your wish list.

Just remember, you’re never too old to write a letter to Santa. Just stay on the Nice List!

Setting Up Camp, Part 4

Jeanna GLeave a comment

Camp isn’t camp without tie-dye.

A view of the gallery from the gallery

I don’t think I’ve ever attended a camp and not tie-dyed something. Our annual family vacation is held at a beach along the Carolina coastline in October. We all participated and tie-dyed some piece of apparel. It was a colorful and creative way to wrap up the summer outdoors before the cold weather forces us inside and onto smaller, less messy activities.

My daughter and I packed in quite a bit since the disheartening news that her camp was not going to take place as planned. Coincidentally, our camp-at-home experience was wrapping up when I received an email notifying me of the date to register for summer camp 2021. My daughter is again registered for the Christmas in July week of sleepover camp. Our hopes will remain high, but guarded, regarding what 2021 has to offer.

Now on to the holidays!

How will your holidays change this year? How has your outlook on the future changed?