Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

It's that season again — that most wonderful time of the year. 
The shopping, the holiday meals, the gift wrapping, the baking, and reminiscing of precious family memories, all the traditions, foods…Christmas music, Hallmark Christmas movies…  and on and on.  

It's also, that time of year, where we are aware of our loved ones who are no longer with us, parents, aunts, uncles…. 

Our family has many traditions. Since, my mom and dad were born in Cuba, we celebrated on Christmas Eve, which was called, Noche Buena.
I am sure that their traditions included those from Spain and the Canary Islands, since those are our ancestral roots, as we heard stories of their own happy and precious memories of their past Christmases. 

We opened gifts on Christmas Day, from Santa Claus. We would have a feast of a variety of foods and special desserts.
One item, I especially remember, was. turrones.  My absolute favorite to this day, is Turrón de Jijona.  A delicious, almond nougat confection, made of honey, sugar, toasted almonds, made in Spain.   Love it!!

We have created our own traditions with our children by intertwining past traditions and hopefully, in turn, they will keep some of those same traditions alive as well.


It appears, that  I have arrived at that point in life, that so many have reached, some in silence and solitude… that long, long, long road of change and transition, that for me has spanned many years, with five children. 

The road, that is actually, very normal and part of the path that we all must travel as we move along our journey in life.  As our children reach adulthood, move out on their own, marry and start their own lives, we come to understand in an intimate way, the meaning of ‘the ghosts of Christmas past’.

For the first time, I find myself feeling quite melancholy, with moments of downright sadness, as I
not only remember those wonderful years at home, snippets of time, the laughter, the joy, and love of our children and those who are no long r with us.. all those years gone by. 
Despite, the sadness, I am ever so thankful, for the blessings of having those memories, full of life, with all those special, beautiful people, of years past.

I have another child that will marry in the spring, yes, a time of joy, a blessing, yet bittersweet, as a mother, from the perspective that we are reminded of the natural progressions of our lives… the perpetual circle of life that our children, too, are walking in their own life journeys, and on and on it
goes. The nest empties out, one by one, slowly but surely.. until it's completely empty. 

I tend to be more reflective about life at this time of year, but after all, genealogy is about the lives of families.
We all share similar journeys and emotions, roads that they too, have had to walk, despite their point of reference in history. 

My hope, this Christmas season, is that those who are lonely, those that are feeling sad, or hurting due to a life circumstance or whatever the reason.  Know that we all feel similar emotions, maybe not at the same time, or for the same reasons, whether we acknowledge it or not. We are not alone. I pray, that you find a glimmer of hope that would bloom into encouragement, peace and much joy… and that in turn you would find someone to share that with and bring some light in their life..

After, all, we are all the same, and we are more alike than different. We need one another.

   

Merry Christmas to all, and I pray a Happy and blessed New Year - 2018.  God Bless You!!

The Holidays Begin ~ Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends. We all have much to be thankful for, even in the face of any hardships and difficulties that life may bring.  It is often,  a time of reflection, as we think of family living in other geographical locations and precious memories of loved ones who have passed on.  

The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth, oil on canvas ~ Brownscombe 

My sister and her family came to visit for Thanksgiving week. It is always such fun for the young cousins to reconnect and enjoy playing with each another amidst all the family activities, cooking, eating, and of course shopping…

As for my research, this month has been busy with DNA tests, and connecting with a new Cousin on another family branch… all very exciting.  

The major DNA companies have placed their DNA kits on sale, this month and into December - a great time to take advantage of the sales to run some tests. 

Now, we look to the Yuletide season as we prepare for Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus as a family. Every year, I think of ways to minimize the busyness and focused more on the joy of the season, enjoying family and all our cherished family traditions.  I enjoy reaching out to relatives living in other cities, and countries, either, by phone, or simply email, depending on where they live.

May this be a season of reflection and immeasurable joy with family and friends. May you  experience, a deeper insight and a new sense of inspiration in every area of your life. 

Marilyn at The Genealogy Gap 

Photo Credit: Wikipedia: The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth, oil on canvas by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe (1914)