Sunday, November 29, 2009

Oh, Little Star, You Hold so Many Memories!!!



The above star was on my parent's first Christmas tree in about 1936. So, it is a little over 70 years old. My mother told me she thinks they paid about ten cents for it. It has hung on every family Christmas tree since 1936. My parents were married during the Great Depression so they had very little material things. My mom told me that my daddy worked all one autumn digging up tree stumps from a farmer's field so that they could afford a winter coat for my sister. What my parents lacked in material wealth, they had an abundance of wealth in what really matters: love and devotion for each other and for their family. After my parents went to heaven, I made sure that we carried on with the tradition of our Christmas star. When I put up my tree each year, the little gold star is the first ornament I put on. It always has a place of honor on our tree. This little star has seen the ebb and flow of life and the love that a family has for each other over these past 70 years. When my grandchildren come for Christmas Eve each year, I show them the Christmas star and tell them the story of our mom and poppie and the love they have for each of them. My dear sweet friends, thank you for letting me share the story of our Christmas star with you. Let us also think of the star of Bethlehem that led to our Savior and have thankful hearts for His love and the love of our family and friends. Blessings to each of you!

33 comments:

Miss Rhea said...

What a lovely memento. The cherished memories of family and Our Lord is what it is all about !! :) Thank you for sharing your Star :)

Abatevintage said...

Oh what a great Christmas star, I think it is wonderful to carry on this star and the memory with a story for the kids and grandkids that is great. I love it.

God bless


-:¦:-H-:¦:-E-:¦:-I-:¦:-D-:¦:-I-:¦:-

Rebecca Nelson said...

I'm not so sure we don't need to revisit the days when our men worked hard in the fields so they could buy coats for their daughters...

This is a precious post. We have no such ornaments...:(. The things that do remain are very precious to me...

Love to you~

Rebecca

Julie Marie said...

Oh Vicki, your little star is so very precious... I so love to hear about special memories from Christmases past... that little star means so much to you... money cannot buy anything that compares to your memories... I am sure your mama and daddy are smiling down at their little star and reminiscing... love to you sweet lady... Bisous... Julie Marie

Martha's Favorites said...

What a sweet post. Such wonderful memories. Hope you had the best Thanksgiving. Blessings, Martha

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Hello Vicki, So nice to meet you and visit your lovely blog. It was a visual delight from the moment I first clicked on. Pretty colors and pictures fill this sweet place.

The little star ornament is so dear.

I enjoyed perusing some of your posts as well as seeing the pictures of your sweet family.

Thank you for stopping by my place and leaving your comment. I'll be sure to visit often.

kindly, ldh

icandy... said...

What a wonderful story... bless you and that precious tiny star!
Hugs!
Christina

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Vicki, that is such a tender, sweet story that it makes me want to cry with joy. What a precious keepsake for you to have from your dear ones.

I have a little Santa that has been on the mantle since I was a child. My niece remembers it, too, because it was always on my parents' mantle. I think it might be time to pass it on to her so that she can enjoy it with her family. Seeing your star and hearing that story makes me know it's time.

XO,

Sheila :-)

koralee said...

Wow...what a special little star..I have a tiny santa from when I was a wee girl but nothing from my mom and dads tree when they were younger...so so special.

Maria said...

Hi Vicki!
We'll be going to my father's house next weekend (weather & health permitting) to help him with his tree. He's 85 and we put up a 4' tree that stands on his coffee table. We laugh and cry as we add the ornaments of our childhood on his tree. These are our favorites. Of course there are the new ones... and they're so pretty.
Your star ornament is precious indeed! We need to write down the history of these ornaments when they are packed away, so that future generations will preserve them ~
God Bless you, Vicki!
~Maria

Nanette said...

Hi Vicki,
What a sweet star and wonderful story. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Valerie

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

What a wonderful family treasure and a beautiful story to go with it. Blessings to you, :) Tammy

Pauline said...

Dear Vicki, thank you for sharing your sweet story of your goldern star. Here's hoping that it will be carried by the next generations to come :o)
God bless you, my friend.
Hugs

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Oh Vicki, what a precious cherished memory and little star! Thanks so much for sharing!!

Love,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Susie's country cottage said...

Wow that's definitely an antique of a decoration. It is lovely when small treasures such as this bring back so many happy memories. I hope it gets passed down for many generations to come.
Susie

ItaJeff said...

Hi Vicki..
What a sweet star..it is so precious. I love reading your story..thank you for sharing it here..
Sorry for not being able to leave comment for quite a while, but eventhough I often leave my comment lately, I always come visit and read your posting..your blog is one of my favorite...

Unknown said...

This is one of the sweetest things I have ever read! Vicki, that star is just beautiful and the memories it holds, even more so. Your parents sound like such beautiful people and it shines through in you!
Much love,
Amy

June said...

Vicki I got chills reading about your sweet Christmas star! What a wonderful treasure to have and to be able to have loved it for so long. These are the very things that make this time of year such a joy.
Hugs,
June

Claudia said...

What a beautiful story! That star is so sweet and so full of memories. I know why you treasure it. Thanks so much for telling us about it!

xo
Claudia

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

Hi Vicki,

What a beautiful story, and a wonderful heirloom. Blessings to you.

Debbie

Bunny said...

What a lovely cherished memory for all to share. It is so beautiful. I know you will treasure it along with your memories.

Anonymous said...

You are so lucky to have such a wonderful memory of your parents. I remember a star that we put on our tree too growing up. It was made out of plastic and was red and white. It was always the last to go up. I was suppose to get it one day from my Mom, but when she moved to the last place she lived, it was lost in the move. Very sad, but we do still have the memories and the pictures of it.

Willow

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

What a wonderful warm uplifting holiday story to share over and over again! Your parents were like mine—hard working, loving, and above all always there for us! Thanks for sharing this beautiful star-studded memory! Blessings, Coralie

Ana said...

Hi Vicki,
What a sweet story...thank you for sharing it with us. I hope that my daughter will take at least one of our most treasured ornaments and cherish it as much as you have yours. What a wonderful reminder of the love your parents had for eachother and for their family. Have a wonderful day my dear friend.

Tons of love,
♥Ana

Tara said...

What a beautiful story and memories you have to go along with your little star! The things with the memories are always worth more than the expensive new things. Thank you for sharing your star and have a beautiful day!

Jocelyn said...

Such sweet memories. What a special story.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Julie Harward said...

Isn't it something how a little thing can mean SO much! I love that about family and love and things shared and passed on! Come say hi :D

maría cecilia said...

Dear Vicki, this is the MOST BEAUTIFUL STAR I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!
I love you
María Cecilia

Leanne said...

Oh, I love the story behind your little star. Thank you so much for sharing it. Thanks for stopping by for a visit the other day.

tea time and roses said...

What a beautiful story of this little star and such sweet memories behind it. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful post with us, such a lovely way to start my morning. Wishing you a wonderful day.

Smiles...

Beverly

Candace said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful story, and your memories of your loving family. It puts what is really important in perspective.

Robyn said...

Those plates and that entire vignette is just gorgeous. It's so soft and sweet and serene!

Jil~Say It With Roses said...

Dear Vicki,
I love warm family stories like this one. I had some sweet ornaments from my Mom and hers, but, sadly, even with careful packing they somehow broke....I collected ornaments for my children each Christmas and for my grandchildren.
Your breakfast set is just beautiful and I have had breakfast in bed on several occassions put on by my children and my husband. Once, when all he could find were Graham crackers and tea...It was the thought.
I am taking my computer to keep in touch and do some work...I am not sure about being gone so long, but it will be so heavenly being with sons and the wonderful grandchildren to renew our connections.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Hugs,
Jil