Ok so I may not have been born in my little sleepy town but I spent the greater part of my life there and now, just a week away from going home I am trying to keep my jittery anticipation under control. I grew up in a very small, very close family, where it wasn't the size or price tag on the event or gift that made it special but instead it was the tradition that went into planning and the memories that were created that made each and every gift and event so unique and memorable. I may not be seen as a "traditional" kind of girl but I certainly hold traditions as an important aspect of my family's life and my children's upbringing. The holiday season is creeping up on us (though for some, it has started already) and there is NO place in the world that I would rather be to celebrate the holidays than in New York. There is just something about the feeling of joy that comes over me when experiencing New York in it's Sunday best. The lights, the sounds the smells are all better during the holidays than they are all year round (I swear!!) Everything is brighter, shinier and people are happier-just go with it!!. New York is magnetic during the holidays and no matter where in the world I am, I still feel that familiar tug at my heart back towards home when I see the first sign that the holidays are upon us. Every year, while helping my mom to prepare the Thanksgiving feast, I would watch the Macy's parade with my brother, my heart bursting with such adoration of this experience, that any other parade would pale dreadfully in comparison. We always set the table with the same foods (even the cranberry sauce which we felt the need to always put out even though each and every year it would inevitably make it's way to the garbage pail untouched) and we would eat the most wonderful meal chatting and laughing, most years just us four, but the warmth and love that surrounded me at that table was something I wish I could bottle up and keep with me always. Year after year watching Tom the Turkey flapping his awkward wings and bobbing his kooky head, the end of the parade signaled by the man in the red suit followed by the green light for everyone to officially begin their holidays and I honestly can not express how much all these little things meant to me. Every year, the day after Thanksgiving, my family would help me put up my beloved Christmas village, usually while watching Miracle on 34th street (the original of course). We would pick a weekend soon after to pile into the car and drive up to Jones' Family Farm to cut down our Christmas tree and thinking back-the holidays were always special and just perfect in my eyes. Visiting Rockefellar Center in all it's glory, watching the ices skaters below gliding along happily and looking up at the huge lit tree and every time, I sigh to myself and think, THIS is what the holidays are all about! So after years of trying to uphold those traditions with my children, I am finally headed back to enjoy at least Thanksgiving this year back where it all began. I plan on doing everything that I used to do with my boys this year including taking them to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for the first time. The greatest gift that I could receive this holiday season is being able to see the joy in their eyes that I feel in my heart-that to me would be an experience that I would remember forever. I want them to be surrounded by the love and joy that I felt growing up and hope that they too will see nothing but twinkling perfection as they sit around a table and share a meal with their loved ones. I hope that everyone will have a wonderful holiday season blessed with the love and togetherness of their family because after all, it is the simple things in life that bring the most joy!
Ok so I may not have been born in my little sleepy town but I spent the greater part of my life there and now, just a week away from going home I am trying to keep my jittery anticipation under control. I grew up in a very small, very close family, where it wasn't the size or price tag on the event or gift that made it special but instead it was the tradition that went into planning and the memories that were created that made each and every gift and event so unique and memorable. I may not be seen as a "traditional" kind of girl but I certainly hold traditions as an important aspect of my family's life and my children's upbringing. The holiday season is creeping up on us (though for some, it has started already) and there is NO place in the world that I would rather be to celebrate the holidays than in New York. There is just something about the feeling of joy that comes over me when experiencing New York in it's Sunday best. The lights, the sounds the smells are all better during the holidays than they are all year round (I swear!!) Everything is brighter, shinier and people are happier-just go with it!!. New York is magnetic during the holidays and no matter where in the world I am, I still feel that familiar tug at my heart back towards home when I see the first sign that the holidays are upon us. Every year, while helping my mom to prepare the Thanksgiving feast, I would watch the Macy's parade with my brother, my heart bursting with such adoration of this experience, that any other parade would pale dreadfully in comparison. We always set the table with the same foods (even the cranberry sauce which we felt the need to always put out even though each and every year it would inevitably make it's way to the garbage pail untouched) and we would eat the most wonderful meal chatting and laughing, most years just us four, but the warmth and love that surrounded me at that table was something I wish I could bottle up and keep with me always. Year after year watching Tom the Turkey flapping his awkward wings and bobbing his kooky head, the end of the parade signaled by the man in the red suit followed by the green light for everyone to officially begin their holidays and I honestly can not express how much all these little things meant to me. Every year, the day after Thanksgiving, my family would help me put up my beloved Christmas village, usually while watching Miracle on 34th street (the original of course). We would pick a weekend soon after to pile into the car and drive up to Jones' Family Farm to cut down our Christmas tree and thinking back-the holidays were always special and just perfect in my eyes. Visiting Rockefellar Center in all it's glory, watching the ices skaters below gliding along happily and looking up at the huge lit tree and every time, I sigh to myself and think, THIS is what the holidays are all about! So after years of trying to uphold those traditions with my children, I am finally headed back to enjoy at least Thanksgiving this year back where it all began. I plan on doing everything that I used to do with my boys this year including taking them to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for the first time. The greatest gift that I could receive this holiday season is being able to see the joy in their eyes that I feel in my heart-that to me would be an experience that I would remember forever. I want them to be surrounded by the love and joy that I felt growing up and hope that they too will see nothing but twinkling perfection as they sit around a table and share a meal with their loved ones. I hope that everyone will have a wonderful holiday season blessed with the love and togetherness of their family because after all, it is the simple things in life that bring the most joy!
After writing this blog, Mike and I counted, we haven't been with our entire family for Thanksgiving since 2006 :( ....hoping that this year we will be able to be thankful for having everyone celebrating at the same table!!
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