If You Have Christmas in Your Heart…You Feel It in the Air

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader:

I have my fingers and toes crossed that ‘Little Big Red’...my ‘chip off  the old block’ …cloned from its decade-old father geranium will survive the next two nights in tact.

The temperatures will be just below freezing and Red has grown so tall it is taking a chance trying to move it without breaking or popping several fragile stems. I am praying hard that the protection of the front porch…along with the afternoon sun’s rays warming the plant each day will protect it enough to safely get through the next two nights. Especially right now…

If I had to show a visual that symbolized HOPE it would be the title photo. I took this picture late yesterday afternoon…I blinked and looked twice at the  sliver of hope as the red in the newly formed geranium bud is starting to appear. What a joyous Christmas present it will be if the red bud is in full bloom Christmas morn…a great Christmas gift…the best! It will look like a red bow on top of an amazingly gigantic green geranium.

I have already received two lovely pinkish-white camellia blooms since cutting the two buds and placing them in one of Honey’s creative flower vases. Just gorgeous!

I can tell Christmas is drawing nigh as I took these photos yesterday..the gifts for others that are piling up around the Christmas tree. The second clue on the proximity of Christmas is the number of cards mounting along the railing coming into the sunken den…the Happy Room…the aura of joy prevalent.

The stockings are filled, as well as, Boo Boo bags are ready to head out Christmas morning to all the grandchildren. Whew!

Mollie just got back these Christmas pictures from her friend, Sarah who did our family photos back in August…she does a terrific job!

When Honey stopped by for a minute Tuesday she wanted to go ahead and  give me something before our regular gift exchange this Friday…her newest pottery project…Summerville Christmas trees.

I told her it was perfect timing on the 172nd birthday of Summerville…now I will always remember the Summerville Christmas Tree as a birthday celebration tree for our lovely “Flowertown in the Pines.” *A reminder also of the Summerville Green Wave football team,  Legendary Coach John McKissick, and the dynasty of green and gold that prevailed and hopefully will always continue on the gridiron for many decades more bringing continued fame to our town.

Carole King on her 2014 Christmas Carole album included a song about ‘Christmas in the Air.’ Her personal Christmas is not going so well (Her reindeer unexpectedly left)…but she decides not to wait on Santa Claus to bring happiness but go outside and enjoy life…the gift of each new day. It is only then that she can feel ‘Christmas in the Air.”

So until tomorrow…Never forget that Christmas is what we make it…not what retailers convince us it is…the best gift is being alive and waking up to  a new day dawning. Happiness doesn’t depend on others…it is what we make it.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

  • Thanks Gin-g for the all the goodies last evening…can hardly wait to eat that blueberry muffin this morning…love the lovely smelling lotions and the silver bracelet…so pretty. Enjoyed catching up…have a Merry Christmas!

*Ann Graves heard the bells ring yesterday and I am sure she now feels Christmas in the air...she finished her radiation series yesterday. Congrats and Merry Christmas Ann!

 

 

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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4 Responses to If You Have Christmas in Your Heart…You Feel It in the Air

  1. bcparkison says:
    December 19, 2019 at 9:25 am

    Congrats to Ann. Her Christmas will be one to remember for sure.
    Goodness…that tree looks loaded and ther will be happy grands I’m sure.
    Oh my…fingers and toes crossed for Little Big Red. I am a little nervous .

    Reply
  2. Rachel Edwards says:
    December 19, 2019 at 9:52 am

    I loved our visit last night but I always feel hurried…but when I think about it I think we could spend days together and never run out of things to talk about…we just seem to spin off of each other’s thoughts and comments. I love and treasure our friendship. I came home and hung my quilted star…found the perfect place for the lighted G and Fred will hang the garland for our cards today. I also loved the xard you gave me…it will be put with other special cards and notes you have given m lovee. The best part of Christmas is sharing with the ones we love…love you!

    Reply

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