Being of European decent we keep the tradition alive by celebrating on Christmas Eve. We started as just a small migrant family missing home. Mum put real candles on the tree our first Christmas here. Its what we did at home. The extreme heat made the candles bend and the tree went up in flames. Dad had to throw the whole tree out of the door. Many of our beloved decorations were broken. I cried. Over the years we modified our traditions to suit the climate and our small family grew. In the last few years the preparations were handed to me. Mum is getting older and Dad is no longer with us so its not fair for the responsibility of the family Christmas to be on Mum's shoulders. As things go along they change and move forward. Some things stay the same and some things change. We have thrown open the doors to not just family but friends as well. We now have open house every year on Christmas Eve. Not just a small migrant family gathering any longer. Its turned into a garden party. This year we are having 18 for dinner. Drop by if you are in the neighbourhood. There's plenty to go around.
7 comments:
I'll need a map
we love you too Uta
Wow, talk about symbolic. Your tree going up in flames is just too deep for the wee hours of the morning like this. I like your philosophy.
Oh I wish I could, in spirit lady in spirit... Happy Festive Holiday~
~v~Laura
I will be there in spirit with Laura. Have a wonderful and joyous Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all!
Oh my heart weeps for you with that story about your tree and your beloved ornaments. We celebrate Christmas Eve too, being of German descent I guess too. Never had real candles on our tree though. That tradition stayed in Germany, I guess. I love pictures I see of that though; the old-fashioned trees lit with little candles. I could never imagine how they did that without something catching on fire. But they did, didn't they? I love the old ways. I'm such a sap.
How beautiful Uta. Well of course not the fire but that your family arrived as little saplings and obviously took root to create a wonderfully solid family. Hugs to you my friend and with you in spirit.
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