I remember the Christmas I was fifteen, turning sixteen. I was in boarding school a thousand miles away from home and hadn't seen my family for four months. When I heard this song on the radio, I began to cry.
The version I heard was sung by Bing Crosby and I still get tears in my eyes when I hear it. Unfortunately, Bing's versions were really full of static. Yes, after missed flights and lost luggage, I arrived home in the middle of a blizzard. My dreams were fulfilled that year. I was home for Christmas and that was all that mattered to me.
Christmases are ever changing. We are children, young single adults, parents of growing children, and empty nesters.
Our dreams and our priorities for Christmas change.
But, I think one thing stays the same for most of us. We want to be home for Christmas.
Home for me means family. This year I plan to travel to Atlanta to spend Christmas with my daughters and grandchildren. I wasn't able to go the last two years because of impending surgeries. I feel just like I did when I was fifteen. I'll be home for Christmas.
good for you, laura. in almost 30 yrs of living in texas, i've only been home to wisconsin for christmas once.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved Bing Crosby's version of "I'll Be Home for Christmas". So glad that you will get to spend Christmas with your daughters and grandchildred. It will be a very special time.
ReplyDeleteI have a sign that says " all hearts come home for Christmas". It is one of my favorites and so true :-)
ReplyDeleteI've very happy you get to spend Christmas with your grandchildren. It's so important for family to reconnect this time of year!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you are able to be with family this Christmas. I'll be heading home to my parents in about ten days myself and I get more excited every day. I know you are going to have a great time!
ReplyDeleteHome for me is also where my family is. I am so lucky to once again be able to spend this Christmas with Sara , Blake and Tiger!! I'm so glad you get to fly to Atlanta this year!
ReplyDeleteI so agree, Laura. "Home for Christmas" has the most wonderful sound to it.
ReplyDeleteI love being home for Christmas and I would love it better if I was 15 again like my son and just watching the day unfold instead of being the one that makes it unfold :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you will be right where you want to be. I'll be here, where I want to be.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Wishing you a very "Bing Crosby" Christmas. xo
ReplyDeleteLaura, I am so happy for you...getting to be with your children. I know this means so much to you. xoxox, Susie
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy for you, too! It will be so special and you can take photos to share with us! It will be here in a blink! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteEven if we can only spend Christmas with our families in our heart...it's still such a special time of year. I'm so glad to hear that you do get to do it in person this year. Have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteJen
I'm so excited for you to get to spend time with your family this Christmas! I completely agree that no matter what age you are, being home for Christmas is the most important thing. I will be a little sad this Christmas since my son (who turns 20 tomorrow and will be gone on his birthday as well) will not be home with us this year. He is away at Marines boot camp in another state. It's going to feel so strange to not have him coming downstairs Christmas morning with us to open presents and having our traditional waffles and bacon breakfast. The ONLY thing keeping me from falling apart about it is that we will finally be bringing him home soon after Christmas. So that day marks a milestone to come. One that we've been waiting on for a very long time. It's helpful to know that there are others that have been apart from their loved ones on Christmas and "lived" to tell about it! LOL.
ReplyDeleteOh, Laura, so glad you will be with your daughters and grandkids. You really will be home for Christmas! How wonderful. Susan
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Christmas with your family!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOh Laura, I am so happy for you. I love to listen to Karen Carpenter sing that..I get tears too. I still think about how I wish I could go home to my Mom and the house I grew up in. That will just have to live in my memories.
ReplyDeleteYou are spot on, my friend. Getting everyone home is top priority. We are waiting for bowl game assignments to see if Jay will be home for Christmas Day. Your images are so pretty and comforting in this post. I wish you a safe journey home for Christmas. Thank you for your lovely comments yesterday, I always look forward to "reflecting" with you.
ReplyDeletew/L.
OH you made me teary eyed.Just loved this post and I am so glad that you can go this year and enjoy time with your daughters and grandchildren! Enjoy Enjoy ENJOY! :) XO You probably can't WAIT!! Yea 15 again! :) Here comes the 15 year old ( inside ) grandma...Look Out! Fun times are ahead! :)
ReplyDeleteKaren Carpenter had the most gorgeous voice I've ever heard, wish she didn't die so young. But we still have her music,and this song is definitely a keeper. Glad you're going to be with your girls this Christmas. I can't imagine going away to boarding school at 15, how did you cope with that?!?! I was so shy at 15, I would not have coped :)
ReplyDeleteMary
There's no place like home and home is even more special when we share it with loved ones whether it's at our home or family members home. Home is about feeling safe, warm and welcomed.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll be home for Christmas, just like you dream of!
ReplyDeleteGood for you Laura! Family is most important:) Hope you are enjoying the festivities and traditions of the season.
ReplyDeletexxleslie