To find more of my books please click on the cute cover above.
Christmas is a time for family and remembering. This post was originally written in the 1980s when my boys were still young (and so was I lol). We were embarking on a new adventure, but leaving behind many cherished memories as well.
Christmas at Brandy Hollow
There is nothing quite like a country Christmas. In
this fast paced world there are very few of us who have the chance to live on a
small farm and experience the joys of working with the land. When we sold
Brandy Hollow I began to say goodbye to all the little things that are so much
a part of living here. Suddenly I realized that on this particular Christmas
(1988) I wouldn’t be snug in my little house in the hollow. Perhaps because I
wouldn’t be in Brandy Hollow for Christmas I wanted to share the Christmas’ we
celebrated here.
The times when the snow blossomed against the
living room window and laced the cedar trees, bending the woods under its
weight. In the new light of morning the horses would blow the snow up in puffs
with their snorts and then roll and run and roll again. There is a special
stillness here after a snow fall, especially a Christmas snow. Last year (1987)
it came on December 23rd, but is was still a Christmas snow. The sun
just catching the tops of the cedar and birch in the barnyard and the blue jays
and chickadees already searching for seeds. The gentle hand of morning air sending sparkles dancing from the
delicate fingers of the snow dressed trees. The warm smell of horses and hay
when you step into the barn from the frosty stillness of early morning.
The warm glow of my little living room, the sun
coming in the south facing window, a fire in the woodstove and the Christmas
tree taking over the room. Because why shouldn’t the tree be big and bushy? Every year we rearrange
the furniture so we can fit the tree in and by Christmas morning there are
presents under the tree, in the tree, around the tree and presents across the
floor in front of the hearth as well. The just waiting for all that lovely
ribbon and paper to be theirs. The lovely peace of Christmas Eve when the
children are asleep and us old folks are waiting up for Santa. The scent of the
fire and the flicker of the flames against the pine wood walls. The dogs
sleeping on the mat my Grandfather Pritchard made in front of the stove, joined
by most of the five house cats. There is that special thrill of anticipation
that comes only on Christmas Eve. The warm feeling of love that accompanies the
presents, given and received. The sharing of joy in giving that perfect gift.
The dark quietness of the night, moonlight throwing blue and sliver shadows on
the snow as I go out to the barn to tuck in the horses on this most special of
all nights. The music of the wind in the trees and the starfire crackling in
the stillness as I take a Christmas walk by the pond and take the opportunity
to say my own private thank you to the spirit that created all this wonder.
There is a peace in this farm and always a feeling
of love and belonging. As though this house and this land have always been
loved. But never is the feeling so strong as at Christmas. Even people who
aren’t sensitive to their surroundings feel this too, this goodwill that
pervades the very air. Strays find their way to my door, both wild and tame and
human as well as animal. This is a safe place and a healing place. There is a
little bit of that Christmas love that lingers here all year.
My Christmas wish for you and yours will know the
peace and joy, and that ‘all things bright and beautiful’ and ‘all things wise
and wonderful’ will be yours.
Wishing you all the best for the Holiday Season. Merry Christmas, Happy Solstice, Happy Hanukkah or whatever you celebrate during this season of returning light.
