The more I think about Christmases past and present, I realise that the best ones are those packed with memories of moments that cannot be wrapped. Here are my top seven Christmas memories, funny, not so funny but all memorable.
Seven memories that will not be forgotten
- The Christmas when I was about ten year’s old when I fell asleep in the sun in my bikini on Christmas eve. My bum was seriously badly burned and blistered – I couldn’t sit down. I will never forget it!
- Last Christmas – when Christmas and birthday’s came together as we had a family reunion to celebrate my Mum’s 80th It was a typically crazy family celebration with countless memories that can be taken out again and again.
- The year I put my back out and Santa chores had to be delegated. I opened my Christmas stocking to find that I had been brought a number of different laxatives and pain pills. Not that I wasn’t grateful, but really Santa??
- When I was growing up we spent our Christmases on the south coast of KwaZulu Natal, at a family hotel. A highlight of Christmas was Santa arriving by helicopter and then walking along the roof of the hotel and then descending in the lift to deliver all the kids presents. One year when I was about 7 there was a serious glitch and I was gifted with a model aeroplane – just like all the other boys my age. I was devastated! I was the girliest girl about. That Christmas memory lived a long time.
- My first Christmas as a mother. I was a new mom as my son was born in November, and still reeling from the changes in my life (including post natal depression). I was spoilt rotten with lots of gifts to unwrap and the best gift to cuddle.
- The year of the big snow! We had no power, I was recovering from a car crash after sliding in black ice and yet we made it happen. We somehow sneaked a large gaming chair into the car and revealed it as a big surprise on Christmas morning. This was a year that I learned that shopping was not essential for Christmas – creativity and imagination and a good attitude where. The pipes were frozen and we were using baby wipes to wash and boiling snow for tea, but we were warm in family festivities.
- In my twenties I spent Christmas with my childhood friend and her family. I will always remember the joy and laughter of those special days. We laughed until we cried. We over-ate, and we behaved like children getting into the spirit of the day. One year I tried to do a dye job on my own hair. My blond hair turned purple and there was not much I could do about it except pretend I was a lavender haired fairy from the Christmas tree come to life!
There have been many more Christmases and so many more memories. As I sit writing this listening to Christmas music, thoughts are flooding though my brain. This year Christmas is again a bit odd as I have been without my car for a month. What I am realising is that it is the gifts that don’t come wrapped that create the best memories. The love and laughter, great food and even better company. It is the time of year, when we connect with friends and family by sending a card, carefully choosing a gift, and taking time to visit and catch up.
My wish for us all this Christmas is that we create new and wonderful memories that we can unpack year after year. Remember to take photos and most importantly to give hugs.
Happy Christmas 2017
Kerry xx
