Ghosts of Christmas pasts

 My sons father was born on Christmas Eve.

He died just a few months before his 40th birthday.

He had one brother, older by 6 years.

Recently, new 'old' slides were found and passed along to me for our sons.

Having parented two boys, also six years apart, 

there was such a universality and poignancy to these images;

they really moved me.

I also have found my own old photos of our earlier life together, 

when our oldest son was still a toddler.

A guitar playing fireman, to be exact.

No matter how well life is going,

how content I am in relationships in the here and now,

memories from days gone by are never far away at this time of year.

Am I the only one?

I even found a picture from our first Christmas together (1967).

Anyone else remember getting what would now be considered "really dressed up" for church 

and Christmas Eve celebrations?

 

1/3/24:

Actually, I stand corrected.

This picture was from 1968 -

Tom's 21st birthday.

We had gotten engaged 2 months earlier on my 19th birthday -

I know, I know ... different times; different expectations.

We were in New Jersey at my parents house for a few days

before returning to the Midwest - and our 'real lives'.

Funny to realize that my 'long hair' actually has historical precedence!

Meanwhile, Christmas 'present' is keeping me fairly busy.

Not gonna lie, 

I think my grands captured perfectly the ambivalence of the season!

Also have to admit that I'm LOVING the curls showing up in the little ones hair!

I know these are the quintessential grandma gifts, 

but I can't resist a good personalized ornament!

Since none of us can predict what Christmas 'future' holds, 

soak up all the joy and happiness you can now!

This one always cracks me up -

he's seen some things ...

and he's not saying anything about it!