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Tuesday’s Treasures…A Sweet Memory

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Home Stager

Tuesday’s Treasures…A Sweet Memory

 

It may be a function of hitting a certain age, but I find myself thinking about different people in my life and the special times we’ve had. 

What popped into my mind recently was Christmas Eve 2001. It wasn’t the first time, nor will it be the last. When I participated in one of Rocky Dickerson's podcasts, he warned me that he was going to ask a surprise question at the end of the podcast. He asked this of every participant and compiled a short video of Christmas Memories.

 

Christmas 2001…not many people felt like celebrating after 9/11.

 

Christmas Eve with our extended family in Delray Beach always meant dinner out at our beach club or a favorite restaurant. It also meant a visit from Santa. 

 

 

That Christmas, the patriarch of the extended family said “You’re taking over Christmas Eve dinner, Joanne and I are heading up north ... .and don’t forget Santa needs to show up.”

 

I read Southern Living magazine from cover to cover because I was determined to make this Christmas Eve a special one for everyone. At the very least, I wanted to lift everyone’s spirits. 

 

I enlisted our friend, Ron, to play Santa and set a special small table for Erin and Megan, our friend’s daughters who were 5 and 3. I placed battery operated candles on their table to give it an extra special feel.

I can’t remember what we had for dinner. But I do remember how everyone smiled, laughed, and for the first time in months, felt a little closer to normal. 

 

If you’re thinking about it, share a Christmas or other holiday memory with us. 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments(18)

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Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Kathy... this is a lovely Christmas memory. Now you've got me thinking. I have an idea, but I don't have pictures... and if I do, they are packed away so tightly, I won't find them before next Christmas. But I will take a look just in case.

Dec 10, 2024 04:44 AM
Kathy Streib

Nina Hollander, Broker I hope you share your story. I'll create an AI photo for you if you want!  Let me know. 

Dec 10, 2024 01:25 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Kathy Streib thanks, Kathy, for the offer. I've already written my post to publish tomorrow and have a feature photo. Of course, I have no photos inside my post. I can email you a copy of my post and if something "hits" you with an AI photo to insert send it over.

Dec 10, 2024 02:23 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Kathy. We had a summer home and in the community was a family with very little. My Dad would hire the father for odd jobs and I was friends with one of his sons. One Christmas morning we went out to check on our summer home. My Dad pulled up in their driveway and emptied his trunk on the front steps. Then we went to the back door and knocked. My Dad asked if the coffee was hot? It always was. Then he asked if anyone had checked the front door. The kids were all excited. My. Dad had a huge smile on his face and it lasted all the way home. Although everyone knew, my Dad never admitted to being the gift giver. He did say he had connections with Santa Claus. Enjoy your day. It is a day I wlll never forget.  

Dec 10, 2024 04:50 AM
Kathy Streib

Wayne Martin I wish I could have met your dad. I do remember the story and when I think about it...I get a big smile on my face. BTW- I've shared your story with friends and relatives when we talk about giving to others. 

Dec 10, 2024 01:27 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Kathy - I read your post, and some memories came back to me.  Some were from my own childhood but it's more recent ones as I have watched children at Christmastime that are nice reminders during this time of year.  Though, this post, That Special Blue Box. . is of Christmas Eve recollection from many decades ago, the thought of it still makes me laugh.  

Dec 10, 2024 05:42 AM
Kathy Streib

Michael Jacobs I went back to read your post!!! How sweet of you to make sure your nephew would not feel left out for not getting a blue box, but rather a blue bag. 

Dec 10, 2024 01:30 PM
Sharon Tara

I went and reread that post and enjoyed it all over again. 

The last time I gave little Henry a box with 50 one dollar bills in it he screamed "I'm rich!!!" 

Dec 11, 2024 08:57 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Thank you for sharing your Christmas memory! It must have been so nice to feel almost normal!

Dec 10, 2024 05:44 AM
Kathy Streib

Kat Palmiotti Because Christmas Eve fell on me, my focus was there and took my mind off the events of 9/11. I had a purpose to create something special. 

Dec 10, 2024 01:31 PM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Hello Kathy Streib, we may not remember who gave what to whom, but, we will never forget the laughter we shared with our loved ones. Memories live forever in our hearts.

Dec 10, 2024 05:50 AM
Kathy Streib

Beth Atalay if I could, I would give every child the gift of beautiful Christmases or whatever they celebrate. 

Dec 10, 2024 01:32 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Kathy, We spent hours making paper snowflakes to decorate the windows, turning our small apartment into a winter wonderland!

Dec 10, 2024 06:22 AM
Kathy Streib

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 that is so sweet!!! I'll bet it was beautiful at night to see the paper snowflakes. 

Dec 10, 2024 01:33 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

One of our first Christmases in America we began the day with hot cinnamon rolls out of the oven, the boys loved it so much we did that for many years. No presents other than what Santa had left on their beds could be opened before the Cinnamon Rolls were consumed. We often heard little feet pattering from bedroom to bedroom to see what Santa had left their brothers, soon after we had hit the sack after getting everything ready for the morning.

Dec 10, 2024 06:37 AM
Kathy Streib

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 awww- that is special. Do the boys continue the cinnamon rolls tradition????  I'll bet you miss that. 

Dec 10, 2024 01:36 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

I generally do not share no real estate related memories...but I love reading them from others  :)  Great story!

Dec 10, 2024 06:43 AM
Kathy Streib

Hi Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty they are fun to read, aren't they!

Dec 10, 2024 01:37 PM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

I love looking back at my old Christmas morning photos. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your Tuesday and have a productive week! Bill 

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties 

Dec 10, 2024 06:54 AM
Kathy Streib

HI Bill Salvatore - East Valley I do too!!!  I can fall down the rabbit hole of pictures. 

Dec 10, 2024 01:42 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks, Kathy, for sharing some of your fond memories.

Enjoy the holiday season!

Dec 10, 2024 07:46 AM
Kathy Streib

Roy Kelley i love reading these stories. 

Dec 10, 2024 01:52 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy these days my special memories of Christmas have shifted from Christmas Day to our Christmas Family Holiday Parties.  

Dec 10, 2024 10:04 AM
Kathy Streib

George Souto I'll bet those are fun!!!  How about sharing one in a post??

Dec 10, 2024 01:52 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Kathy, I miss my Christmas from back in Pennsylvania and Ohio but to much to travel.  

Dec 10, 2024 10:30 AM
Kathy Streib

Will Hamm We'd rather go when it's not the Christmas holiday. Flying is a zoo and don't want to drive. 

Dec 10, 2024 01:53 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kathy, what lovely memories you have shared, and after 9/11, we all needed anything to feel normal.

Dec 10, 2024 04:07 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Kathy

I love the memories you shared of that Christmas after 9/11. It was a sobering time and the Holidays needed to have some good family/friends sharing time with some laughter and good old fashion joyful cheer. I remember that Christmas we went Christmas caroling with the choir from the elementary school and people opened their doors and smiled from ear to ear with our Christmas Carols! It was a good feeling!

Dec 10, 2024 07:33 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Loved your memory and there were many on this platform that were passing through and he was one of them, he did an interview with me too a while back, Endre

Dec 10, 2024 10:46 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

You did an amazing job on the podcast with Rocky Dickerson and I wish he still interacted more in the Rain since he is such a fun guy in person, haha.

Dec 11, 2024 04:11 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

My absolute favorite Christmas was Christmas 1982. No other Christmas even comes close. My son was born on 12/24 and I spent Christmas in the hospital with the greatest gift of all.

Dec 11, 2024 08:59 AM
Chris Lima
Turtle Reef Realty - Port St Lucie, FL
Local or Global-Allow me to open doors for you.

Thank you for sharing this memory.  It warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face.  

Dec 18, 2024 07:01 AM