KICKING UP MY UGGS
A couple of weeks before Aunty passed, she heard me talking about my annual Christmas stroll. Her immediate response was "Can I go?" More than anything in the world I wanted to take her, but I had a strong feeling she would not make it. So, in keeping with Aunty’s jolly spirit I promised myself that I would go to stroll just like I do the first Friday in December every year. The last thing Aunty would ever want me to do would be to break tradition and not to celebrate the season wholeheartedly. One of the greatest gifts we shared together was a hearty celebration of the holidays… Most of all Christmas! This blog is a testimony to that. Just scroll around to see.
So I grabbed my little boom box, dusted off my Santa Uggs, and headed to Newburyport, Massachusetts. I picked up a few friends along the way, pulled into Starbucks and ordered four Crème Brule Latte’s. Then, in my version of a sleigh-ride, I rolled the windows down a bit, turned the carols up, and headed north.
There is something rewarding, comforting, and always welcoming when you uphold tradition. Pulling into historic Newburyport Center welcomed by the glistening shops, chill in the air, and the tall evergreen brought me right into Christmas. I felt my little Angel Aunty beside me at all times. I smiled. One of my friends put her arm around me and the gang strutted across the cobblestone. Tea shops, toy shops, jewelry shops…. we hit them all. One of the best parts of the evening was the love I kept receiving from my festive friends. Lori had on her flashing earrings, Helen resembled a slim version of Mrs. Claus, and my new friend Christine wore a lovely tiara. They dressed for the occasion because it was Christmas time, but they also did it to make me happy. And it did. Knowing that I usually enjoy rising to most occasions with suitable garb and often over-the-top accessories, Lori enjoys saying, “I need a special wardrobe to hang out with you Renee.”
We exuded so much spirit we manifested our own elf!
Though it may not always be easy this time of year for one reason or another, I would like to urge the readers and followers of Ageless to get out and do something fun even if you are feeling blue. Losing Aunty is the hardest thing I can imagine, yet, I can’t think of a better way of honoring her then by celebrating life, and in this case Christmas. She is Christmas. And by living the joy this time of year should bring….well, somehow it brings her closer. What a satisfying feeling.
If I spend the rest of my life keeping her spirit alive…what a “wonderful” life it will be! By the way, Aunty’s favorite word was w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l.This Holiday Season be more Aunty-like. When you keep your heart open surprises abound….
TAKEN AT THE PARTRIDGE IN A BEAR TREE
NEWBURYPORT MASSACHUSETTES
INVITATION NIGHT IS ALSO FRIDAY DECEMBER 9TH 2011...
GRAB YOUR SANTA CAP AND GO!
3 comments:
I am happy to see that you started to kick off the Holiday Season with your annual tradition, instead of giving us the blues. You are in keeping in Blog tradition by inspiring, wowing, and spreading joy. I pray that your Christmas remains bright, and not too dark with sadness. Remember to put a bell in your tree, so 'It's a WONDERFUL life'. I hope that your readers got it, otherwise it can become one of your next Christmas post.
OMG, what a shock! Since I'm saddened and feel a sense of loss, I can only imagine what you're going through. But, by keeping with tradition, you're celebrating Aunty's life and infusing others with her spirit, for she still lives.
It's wonderful to have friends to cheer you up. I hope the elf did not get his 'way', but at least, you all had fun. Keep the surprises coming as our hearts go out to you as you keep heading North. Stay strong and make best of the Christmas season. Be jolly.
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