Time to 'pass the (Christmas) torch'

How many of you had family and-or friends come to visit over the holiday season? We had a full house with all three of our children as well as our 4-year-old grandson, Anthony, along with my husband's 83-year-old mother and her 66-year-old sister. I had forgotten just how much energy one 40-pound child can generate. Now I know why naps were invented - a definite two fold purpose: Rejuvenation for the adults as well as for the child.

To see the wonder and joy of simple things through the eyes of a child was quite refreshing. We sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day drudgeries of life and all the responsibilities that come with our positions that we don't see joy in the simple things like washing dishes together or cleaning up a mess together - laughter at silly mistakes and the realization that doing it "perfectly" doesn't make as many memories as the faux pas that come from partnering with a child on home projects was a point repeated over and over the week Anthony was here. Thank you, dear grandchild for the gift of you.

With our children living all over the United States - at least this year they are all on friendly soil - it was always a challenge to get everyone in one place at the same time. For the past three years we have been looking forward to Christmas 2006 for that very reason. On a more selfish note, I was eager to "pass the torch" so to speak. I've always been the tree and home decorator with lights, ornaments, collectibles, linens, etc. As each child got older, they helped in their own way and did some of the decorating; but since they have all been out on their own, it has fallen back on my shoulders. When you talk about close to 40 years of collections of decorations and combine that with my mother's and grandmother's collections, we are talking about a half an attic full of memories.

My mom always loved Christmas and since her death by choice in 1996, there was a cloud hanging over the season. I figured the best way to get back on track was to involve the children. While they were here, they went through ornaments, collectibles, lights, etc., and took a lot of mementos home with them to start their own collections and add their own personal touch to their holiday season. While I had looked forward to them picking and choosing things that meant something to them, it was still a bittersweet moment as I reflected on how each ornament had been made or chosen and where we were in our lives when it joined our family. I am now looking forward to visiting their homes to see how they put their stamp of design on the holiday season; and I must admit that I am looking forward to having less stuff to put back in the attic. A definite win-win situation for all involved.

Have a rambling good week.

n To reach Gail Davis, e-mail RuhenstrothRamblings@yahoo.com or call 265-1947.