One of the best things about this time of year is the memories that come flooding back about the holidays and other seasonal moments. Seeing kids getting ready to sit on Santa’s lap always gives my heart a little hug as I remember my two kids telling the jolly fat man their deepest wishes.
I have a great picture of my dad as a boy sitting on Santa’s lap that brings a tear to my eye as my mind fills with thoughts of his face beaming as we opened gifts on Christmas morning … and years later that same expression as his grandkids squealed with glee at the mountain of treasures under the tree.
But perhaps one of my favorite holiday traditions is a fairly new one. Since Greg and I have been together, we have made it a point to buy a souvenir Christmas ornament when we are traveling. Fortunately, it’s easy to find one year round, so our collection continues to grow.
Each year, we grab a glass of something (usually wine) and take the time to hang those ornaments on the tree and share our memories of the trip when we bought it. This year, we added several tree trinkets as we made our way across Italy over the summer.
I also collect miniature Nativity scenes and my little collection now takes up several shelves in the living room.
Those hand-held items are tangible memories, the kind you can touch and feel, that have captured a moment in time or a place visited on the other side of the world. Each one reminds me how lucky I am to be able to continue to travel and see the world. They fill me with gratitude and joy that I have a partner who shares my wanderlust and indulges (and even contributes to) my desire to keep buying these little things … and then takes the time to reminisce with me at Christmas.
There’s a whole world out there just waiting to be explored. Share a memory of something in your home with someone you love.
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