Man does not live by bread alone, and a real estate blogger can’t write about real estate only. So indulge me as I digress. And now, for something completely different. (Sorry, Messrs., Palin, Cleese, et al.)
Waving Santa at Friendly Center in Greensboro, NC
This giant Santa has been a prominent site at the Friendly Avenue entrance to Friendly Shopping Center for as long as I can remember. I know that I first saw him when my late father walked me from our home in Sunset Hills to the then very different retail center when I was about 6 years old.
Of course, the Santa was MUCH LARGER then. At least 4,000 feet tall.
As I have grown, he has shrunk.
But he still makes me smile when I see him every year. I’m sure my children remember him. They’ll all be in town this weekend. And in addition to the familiar Santa, there will be our Christmas tree.
Looking at that tree, standing in our den in front of the window, I realize that there are few repositories of family history more valuable than the tree. Even while the lights of my childhood – the giant bulbs that use enough energy to get a Prius from Murphy to Manteo and could spontaneously combust a too dry fir – have given way to the strings of LED lights we currently use, some things have returned year after year.
Some ornaments have traveled more than I, having come to the house with my mother when she came to with us. They were part of my family before I was.
Some were made by our children throughout their school years: paper doilies with the faces from school photos glued on, folded into angel shape and affixed with gold foil pipe cleaners for halos; Candy canes made from flour and water “clay”.
Some are just signs of their times:
Justin was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan....
As our daughter and her new husband start their own traditions, we’re grateful for their trek over the mountains to spend some time with us. Our older son has his own home but has not yet started his own family. Our youngest is in college and seems glad to be home.
We’re happy for all of them.
We’re also wistful thinking of all the years spent planning and laughing and pretending to be making coffee on Christmas morning, making the kids wait at the top of the stairs to increase the anticipation.
All wonderful.
And this year when there is so much to make us cringe it is a blessing to have some things that remind us we can smile.
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That Santa’s *boot* was as tall as I was, I’d swear. I’m so glad they still put him on display.
And nice pic of the ornament. Takes me back …
And he still waves!!