This was a hard one for me to do. I wanted to portray Winter in Ohio. And boy did we ever have snow and cold temperatures. I wanted to stay away from a bright cheery Christmas scene, as Christmas is so hard for me to adapt to. I want to have fun and be merry, and enjoy the holidays, but..........
Yes, the BIG BUT! Commercialism is what kills Christmas for me. I use the be the girl that was out bright and early on Black Friday, sending out over 200 Christmas cards, planning a big family get together. I was a true Christmas elf. Then about 3 years ago, something just snapped inside of me. I paid my Mother to wrap presents, I didn't put a Christmas tree, and I only managed to send out 20 cards. All the greed in the world, just poisoned Christmas for me. Then the family bickering. It just wasn't fun anymore.
This year, I decided to change Christmas. I had a Christmas party here for my Guilded Lilies, I went out & bought 10 coats for people in a group home here in Columbus, and I even volunteered to pick up my Grandmother who was 93 at the time & take her to visit her sister. I felt a little better, but not like the old days. I think most of it also comes with the fact that I miss my Father so much. He was the bright star on Christmas Day.
Growing up in LA, I never saw snow. When my parents moved back to Ohio, they always talked about snow. Never saw much of it either the first 5 years. Then one night right before Christmas, the snow started to fall. My Dad was like a child running out in the snow showing us how to make Snow Angels. He then scooped up a big bowl of snow & made up snow cream. So this leaf is for the Christmases that my Daddy made special for me.
4 comments:
I think this is my favorite of all your pieces. An old-fashioned Christmas, celebrating older values and memories of your Daddy. It's sooooo beautiful! I struggle with Christmas too... you can see my interpretation here. You seem to be on a good track toward re-establishing meaning in Christmas. I will remember your leaf next year. Thanks!
These pages are terrific, Dot. Your final assemblage of them is going to be spectacular!
Kathy V in NM
Dot, these are all wonderful leaves!! I really like December, it makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
So much pressure for a holiday celebrating God coming to "simply" be with us. I enjoy my grandkids. They make Christmas fun for me. Besides that, I enjoy the food frenzy we have. I learned long ago to not overdo festivities and planning. My mom did too much of that and spent the whole holiday working with us kids helping. Not fun. I try to make it easy now.
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