"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope. Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail."
Lamentations 3:21,22 (NIV)
Guest Post #13
"Christmas in Cornwall, England" by Barbara Dunford
"Moving to my grandparents beautiful house by the water, just after the War, was a revelation to us children. My mother had been left a widow, far too young, and had to leave the University house where we had lived in Wales.
England was in the throes of rationing, so there were few Christmas shopping treats, few decorations and people tended to live on what they grew. Fortunately, my Grandfather was a wonderful gardener and produced vegetables and fruit.
Grandma always had a huge turkey and made all the trimmings....no bought dressings or sauces for her. She was an amazing cook.
We had no Television back in the 1940s and didn’t miss it. The days before Christmas were spent making things. We made presents for family. We made decorations. The big dining room where we were allowed to work was a sea of glitter and glue! My cousin and I made countless paper chains. We made sparkly decorations for the tree. We printed wrapping paper using potato cut outs. We were so imaginative.
The tree was cut from a nearby wood and put up the week before Christmas. The most exciting thing was to see the real candles clipped on to the branches and lit, just for a little while, as we sat round and admired the glow.
In those days most presents were handmade, knitted gloves, a new dress sewn by my mother, a scarf woven, toys carved. How we loved everything!
When I see the amount of things that children today receive, and seem to expect, I look back fondly to a time when there were no choices, and we had what there was.
It was a wonderful innocent time."
Bio: Barbara grew up in Cornwall, England. She trained as a teacher of children with special needs. She is married with 3 children. Sadly, she divorced when young but later met the man to whom she has been married for almost 40 years and who is a lovely, devout Christian. Between them they have seven grandchildren ranging from 16 to 30 in age. She spent twelve years living in France, which was lovely, she traveled to many countries including Canada where her daughter lived, and Australia where her eldest son lives. Living in France, she was able to take trains all over Europe. She and her husband love their garden. Though her husband is now blind and disabled and relies on her to make it look beautiful, he still helps her plan. She likes to sew and do a fair amount of patchwork when she can find the time. Barbara and her husband are members of their local church, but seldom get to go to services now and rely on Home Communion being brought to them. They live a quiet life now. Barbara is a Carer for her husband, and they feel fortunate to have a daughter, son, and daughter-in-law living nearby, who are very supportive.
Please stop by and visit Barbara's lovely blog at Small Moments. I know you will be blessed!
Barbara, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sharing your beautiful Christmas memories from long ago with us. They really warmed my heart, as I know they will the hearts of all who read them.
And, dear readers, in case you missed them, you can read the previous Christmas Memory Sharing posts by clicking these links:
Melissa Evans Shares A Favorite Christmas Memory
Aryn the Libraryan Shares Her Favorite Christmas Tradition
Gentle Joy Shares a Christmas Miracle
Kitty Shares Her Cherished Christmas Gift
Nancy Reinke Shares "A Rocky Mountain Christmas"
Zachary Shares About An Unexpected Christmas Surprise
Karen Del Tatto Remembers A Priceless Christmas Gift
Emily Vick Shares About Gifts from her Paw Paw
Henry Morgan, III, Shares A Precious Christmas Reunion
Aryn the Libraryan Shares Her Favorite Christmas Tradition
Gentle Joy Shares a Christmas Miracle
Kitty Shares Her Cherished Christmas Gift
Nancy Reinke Shares "A Rocky Mountain Christmas"
Zachary Shares About An Unexpected Christmas Surprise
Karen Del Tatto Remembers A Priceless Christmas Gift
Emily Vick Shares About Gifts from her Paw Paw
Henry Morgan, III, Shares A Precious Christmas Reunion
Such lovely memories of a more innocent time when materialism wasn't rampant like it seems to have become. I loved reading Barbara's recollections of her Christmas' of childhood. They sound very similar to mine. We each received a pair of pajama's, because by then we had outgrown last Christmas' pj's. Also one small toy each. And I mean small. Much like the dollar store toys we see now and a board game for the entire family. And we were thrilled and happy.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
I loved reading Barbara's story, too! This is the kind of story you just wish would go on and on, and I longed to hear more! That is such a sweet memory of yours that you shared, also, about the pj's and your simple Christmases from long ago. Why can't we all go back to that? Where life was so simple, and we didn't get caught up in the chaos. To be honest, that is how my family and I are now living our lives. This year, we have abstained from consumerism more than ever. If we want to live like those long ago memories, we can make it happen. Just because the whole world around us is running around like crazy, does not require us to do the same. I loved your and Barbara's stories so much - they were so inspiring to me and encouraging to us to keep following the road less traveled. Much love to you today, dear Betsy!
DeleteA joyful Christmas perhaps because of it's simplicity and time of innocence.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Cheryl and Barbara!
Yes! Absolutely because of its simplicity and time of innocence! Well-said, Martha!
DeleteBeautiful story. This speaks to the old adage of less being more. The time spent with family making something with your own hands can't be duplicated... no matter how much money we spend.
ReplyDeleteExcellent reminder. Thanks.
You are so right, Floyd! Less is absolutely more - the less of this world we have in our lives, the more happy and fulfilled and at peace we are. I loved this post, too and am so grateful Barbara shared. I have SO enjoyed ALL of the posts - they have been so heartwarming, and there are still more to come! Thank you so much for your support and kind words, brother.
DeleteThank you Cheryl for letting me voice my childhood memories. Sadly our children and grandchildren will never know times like that. We were privileged, I feel.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed reading the many interesting memories that you have collected.
We truly were privileged. I agree. "Privileged" to some means wealth measured by money. I see privileged in a completely different light, and I think you do, too. I am so thankful you shared with us and am happy you are enjoying the other writers' Christmas memories! They have all been such a blessing! Merry Christmas to you and yours, my friend!
DeleteThis memory tugged at my heart as I have experienced a bit of such times and work hard to make it like that for my family. We celebrate Christmas and each other and while we give gifts, they are not elaborate (although sometimes some go together and bless someone with bigger gifts that are so useful, not fluff). Many of our gifts are homemade, some are bought but all are well-thought out to bless the person getting the gift and I love seeing this in our home. We appreciate the gifts because of the love behind them, not because of how materially valuable they are. So many people in this current age have their Christmas lists for people to choose from so that they can get something they "like" or "want". That seems so sad to me... and restricts the giving from the heart as such gifts are meant to be bought and given with receipts available so they can be returned for something the person really "wants". So sad to be determined to even control the giving of others rather than to enjoy being loved. I loved hearing of your memories and agree that such memories are precious indeed and are something many never experience. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful account of the way you enjoy Christmas in your family, Gentle Joy! This is the way Christmas should be. Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us. Your words are so very true! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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