Today is a post in honor of my paternal grandmother's birthday. She started a wonderful tradition many years ago - on her birthday, she gave each of her grandchildren a Christmas ornament. It was like a reverse birthday present to usher in the holiday season. These gifts were highly anticipated by all of us as she took care to choose ornaments that each of us would especially like. There were several years when I was a fairly young child during which I was quite obsessed with stuffed animals. Accordingly, she selected the cutest possible bear ornaments for me. These bears, among the other ornaments which are also very special, were lovingly unpacked year after year and placed in prime spots on the tree when I was growing up. The tradition continues now that I live in my own house with a growing family - the bears are always front and center on our tree!
My particular favorite, quickly named Ned for some forgotten reason, is a sweet brown bear peaking out of a sparkly red stocking with a beautiful black velvet sole. I loved Ned so much that my parents had to pack him away LAST in an ornament box labeled "Ned" when the tree came down every year. This way, he could be FIRST out at the beginning of the next Christmas season. I hate to admit, but I think there were tears involved several years when Ned finally had to be packed away. I no longer cry to put him away, but I do still feel a special delight when Ned makes his first appearance each year. It is a particular joy to share this old Christmas favorite with my son. This year, I let Nathan hang Ned up on our tree. He did a great job! I wish Nathan could have met my Grandma - I think she would be pleased to know that her ornaments now bring him happiness, too.
(sorry for the blurry pictures!)
We took a lot of bus trips to Bourton on the Water, Chipping Campden, and Oxford. Nathan LOVED feeding the ducks in Bourton and we were all taken with the miniature village, we took in high tea in Chipping Campden, and the academic sights of Oxford were fascinating.
