In Cedarfield tradition, the Pastoral Care Team created this compilation of holiday memoirs by team members and residents. We will share one a day through the holidays. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Barbara Fischi, Resident
Excitement stirs in the air all the days before Christmas Day. When the young children begged for their gifts from Grandma, we started a new tradition of the four children opening their gifts from Grandma Babs on Christmas Eve. Usually we dine together with special foods, including large wafers and honey, with a blessing from Grandma. After holiday pastries for dessert, we adjourn to the living room decorated with the Christmas tree and lights. Then we try to decide who may open the first present.
Sometimes we start with the first-born, and sometimes with the last-born. The anticipation and excitement build with all the oohs and aahs as each child opens a gift from Grandma. Occasionally there is a let-down that there are no more presents. That is when we reminisce about our memories and remember all the true joys of the birth of Jesus. We rejoice in the wonder of being together one more Christmas holiday.
“Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart… filled it, too, with melody that would last forever.”
–Bess Streeter Aldrich, Song of Years
