When my mom died, we all felt it was necessary to continue to include her in our Christmas celebrations. She was gone, but definitely not forgotten. My mother loved everything about Christmas. She took great pleasure in decorating the house each year. She loved to gaze at the twinkling lights on the tree.
We would gather at her grave and begin our Christmas celebrations with her often bringing fresh flowers and Christmas balloons. We would decorate her grave much as she had decked the halls of her home. Sometimes we would sing her Christmas carols, while other times we would silently relay our love and Christmas greetings. Some years were snowier than others, and during the day my Dad often would visit the cemetery early to clear a path through the snow to her grave.
It has become tradition to visit my parents at the cemetery on Christmas Eve night. It wouldn’t be Christmas without this small tradition. My mom always joked that her grave would resemble the sorry state of Ebenezer Scrooge’s. I have made it my duty to insure that is never the case. Even now it is decked out with artificial poinsettias and a decorative Santa Claus, and on Christmas Eve like every other year we will put up the tree.
Even though my parents are no longer living, by keeping them apart of my traditions they continue to live within my heart and the hearts of my little family in which they were an important part of. It would be a very blue Christmas indeed without our yearly trek to the cemetery. That is all I have to say until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.
That's a sweet tradition. I have never visited my Dad's grave b/c my stepmother took his ashes to Tallahassee and buried in her family graveyard about 5 years after he died. I don't even know if there is a headstone. Mom was also cremated, but interred in her family graveyard in NY. I have not been back to NY since the funeral. I should go....
ReplyDeleteI think that is lovely and very necessary for you to complete your holiday. We all have something.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tradition - that made me think of my late dad and just before I read your post a thought came into my head to put a gift for him under my tree. Thanks so much for sharing. Have a blessed Christmas.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like this is exactly what your parents would have wanted. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteJoyce
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/
How lovely that you remember your parents by decorating the grave site. Very touching. Have a great Christmas with your family.
ReplyDeleteI remember you mentioning this --or blogging about this before. So nice that you continue the tradition!
ReplyDeleteDarlene, although I don't get out to the cemetary as much now as I used to, I still make a point to make sure their graves are well tended and decorated for each holiday and season. You should make a point to go sometime when you happen to be visiting the area. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment!
ReplyDeleteJo, it just wouldn't be the holidays without them. Thanks for stopping by to read and comment!
ReplyDeleteSuzy, thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments!!
ReplyDeleteJoyce, I think my parents would be pleased. Thanks for stopping by to read and leave a comment!
ReplyDeleteLaura, thank you for stopping in to read and comment. Since it is a family plot, I am also able to visit a cousin, my aunt, and an uncle while I am wishing my folks a Merry Christmas so it is kind of nice.
ReplyDeleteJenn, thank you for stopping by to read and comment. It just wouldn't be Christmas without them.
ReplyDelete