2021MOC11story-holidays
michelepixels, Jan 11, 2021
- Description:
- https://the-lilypad.com/store/digital-scrapbooking-elements-home-for-the-holidays.html
https://the-lilypad.com/store/Perkaholic-Paper-Pack.html
https://the-lilypad.com/store/Blossom-Festival-Kit.html
https://the-lilypad.com/store/SpringScape-Collab-Kit.html
https://the-lilypad.com/store/Hoppy-Birthday.html
https://the-lilypad.com/store/Fright-Night.html
https://the-lilypad.com/store/The-Crowd-Watercolor.html
https://the-lilypad.com/store/Bakers-Gonna-Bake-Elements.html
https://the-lilypad.com/store/Life-is-Enjoying-days-off-bundle.html
https://the-lilypad.com/store/Love-Story-confetti-by-Sara-Gleason.html
774 words
From the time I was a baby until I was 9, my family was Jehovah’s Witnesses. I think it was something my Dad was encouraged to join by his family. He didn’t grow up in it. I have such a poor memory I only remember about two things related to it. I was given a gold-covered children’s book of bible stories. The only one I remember is the one about Lot being turned into a pillar of salt, with a half page illustration. I was probably shocked by it. The other thing I remember is a boy in my 3rd grade class asking how I could turn 9 if I didn’t celebrate birthdays. I don’t remember answering him, but I think I thought he was stupid to not realize we get older no matter what. If I didn’t think it at the moment, I definitely thought that later. I also know that my family did some traveling in the western states on our way to a Kingdom Hall in Wyoming (not sure I have the state correct, but I know that was one we visited) when I was 4. I remember nothing about it, but I can imagine all the photos in my mind. I loved looking at family photo albums from a young age. Maybe that’s the root of my love of photography.
My parents became discouraged by aspects of the religion and we left it, but it was a gradual transition to start celebrating holidays. I can’t remember which holiday was first. There was one winter when we had just a New Year’s Eve party -- no Christmas -- with cousins visiting, noisemakers, sparkling cider, and headbands with cardboard “HAPPY NEW YEAR” on top. I really don’t remember it, but, again, remember the few photos. My first birthday celebration was for my 10th. No party, but I got some gifts -- I was particularly excited about the roller skates -- and a cake. For my 11th birthday, though, my great grandmother was living with us, and I got to invite several school friends for an actual party. My 13th was an even bigger party because it landed on Thanksgiving and my mom hosted our family Thanksgiving feast that year. That’s how my extended family celebrated holidays during my pre-teen and teen years: rotating through the houses of my mom and her brothers every Thanksgiving and Christmas. There have been at least a few years that we got together for Easter too, which included some egg hunts. But what I remember most is the feasts and talking with family. And that’s what holidays have come to mean for me.
That’s probably why I like Thanksgiving the best. The point is feasting and there’s no expectation of gift-giving which can be stressful. I enjoy spending two days making a huge feast -- always the traditional turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and pumpkin pie -- and sitting around the table with my family talking about what we’re grateful for. Easter means nothing anymore. When my kids were younger we did a little Easter egg decorating and egg hunts but now it’s just a time when candy wrappers have pretty spring colors. Halloween is probably the holiday my family has been the most interested in. I made some creative spooky foods and walked around the neighborhood in a simple witch hat and cape with my kids while they trick or treated. I wasn’t good at making costumes but Robert and Collin are, so there have been some impressive ones. And it was always fun returning to the house along with the friends who joined us and have what came to be called the “candy stock exchange.” Christmas has usually just been for our immediate family. My favorite of our traditions is sleeping under/near the tree on Christmas Eve. Then, the next day, after the excitement of opening gifts, we’d have the most relaxing cozy day at home. New Year’s Eve was similar, with just immediate family, until the kids were older and started having friends over to join us in counting down and making a lot of noise. Robert and I don’t have the love language of gifts and agree that expressing love daily is a better way, so we barely notice Valentines Day. We do usually notice July 13, our anniversary, but often our celebration is simply reminiscing and marveling at how wonderful it is.
Ordinary daily activities and interactions are so much more important in my mind. Holidays are fun but sometimes come with stressful expectations. So I keep things simple, I’m easygoing, and I enjoy time with family and friends no matter what that date.
-
There are no comments to display.
-
- Category:
- Month of Challenges 9
- Uploaded By:
- michelepixels
- Date:
- Jan 11, 2021
- View Count:
- 321
- Comment Count:
- 2
EXIF Data
- File Size:
- 343.1 KB
- Mime Type:
- image/jpeg
- Width:
- 773px
- Height:
- 1000px
Note: EXIF data is stored on valid file types when a photo is uploaded. The photo may have been manipulated since upload (rotated, flipped, cropped etc).